<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 7, 1994
REGISTRATION NO.: 33-39598
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. 3 /X/
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 /X/
AMENDMENT NO. 5 /X/
-------------------
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME 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)
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
X on January 12, 1994 pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485.
</TABLE>
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 PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31,
1993 WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 19, 1993.
AMENDING THE PROSPECTUS AND UPDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
FORM N-1A
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ITEM CAPTION
- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
PART A PROSPECTUS
1. ......................................... Cover Page
2. ......................................... Summary of Fund Expenses; Prospectus Summary
3. ......................................... Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
4. ......................................... Investment Objective and Policies; The Fund and its Management; Cover
Page; Investment Restrictions; Prospectus Summary
5. ......................................... The Fund and Its Management; Back Cover; Investment Objectives and
Policies
6. ......................................... Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Additional Information
7. ......................................... Purchase of Fund Shares; Shareholder Services
8. ......................................... Redemptions and Repurchases; Shareholder Services
9. ......................................... Not Applicable
PART B STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10. ......................................... Cover Page
11. ......................................... Table of Contents
12. ......................................... The Fund and Its Management
13. ......................................... Investment Practices and Policies; Investment Restrictions; Portfolio
Transactions and Brokerage
14. ......................................... The Fund and Its Management; Trustees and Officers
15. ......................................... Trustees and Officers
16. ......................................... The Fund and Its Management; Purchase of Fund Shares; Custodian and
Transfer Agent; Independent Accountants
17. ......................................... Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
18. ......................................... Description of Shares; Validity of Shares of Beneficial Interest
19. ......................................... Repurchase of Fund Shares; Redemptions and Repurchases; Statement of
Assets and Liabilities; Shareholder Services
20. ......................................... Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
21. ......................................... The Distributor
22. ......................................... Performance Information
23. ......................................... 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
JANUARY 12, 1994
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company, whose investment objective is to earn
a high level of current income consistent with low volatility of principal. The
Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in high
quality fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities and other
asset-backed securities which either are issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or rated Aaa by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. or AAA by Standard & Poor's Corporation or, if not
rated, determined to be of comparable quality. See "Investment Objective and
Policies."
Pursuant to a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund may reimburse the Distributor, in
an amount equal to payments not exceeding the annual rate of 0.20% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund, for specific expenses incurred in
promoting the distribution of the Fund's shares.
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 January 12, 1994, 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 below. The
Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by reference.
DEAN WITTER
PREMIER INCOME TRUST
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(212) 392-2550 OR
(800) 526-3143
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
Investment Restrictions/14
Purchase of Fund Shares/15
Shareholder Services/17
Redemptions and Repurchases/19
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes/20
Performance Information/21
Additional Information/22
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK, AND THE SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
Distributor
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<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 investing primarily in high-quality fixed
rate and adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities and in asset-backed securities.
Shares Shares of beneficial interest with $0.01 par value (see page 22).
Offered
Offering The price of the shares offered by this prospectus varies with the changes in the value of the
Price Fund's investments. The offering price, determined once daily as of 4:00 p.m., New York time, on
each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open, is equal to the net asset value plus a sales
charge of 3.0% of the offering price, scaled down on purchases of $100,000 or over (see page 15).
Minimum Minimum initial investment, $1,000. Minimum subsequent investment, $100 (see page 15).
Purchase
Investment The investment objective of the Fund is to earn a high level of current income consistent with
Objective low volatility of principal.
Investment Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), the Investment Manager of the Fund, and its
Manager and wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., serve in various investment
Sub-Advisor management, advisory, management and administrative capacities to seventy-nine investment
companies and other portfolios with assets of approximately $70.7 billion at November 30, 1993.
BlackRock Financial Management L.P. (the "Sub-Advisor") has been retained by the Investment
Manager to provide investment advice and manage the Fund's portfolio. The Sub-Advisor currently
serves as the investment adviser to fixed income investors in the United States and overseas
through funds with combined net assets in excess of $18 billion (see page 5).
Management The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.50% of daily net assets.
Fee The Sub-Advisor receives a monthly fee from the Investment Manager equal to 40% of the Investment
Manager's monthly fee (see page 5).
Dividends Income dividends are declared daily and paid monthly; capital gains distributions, if any, are
paid at least annually. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically
reinvested in additional shares at net asset value unless the shareholder elects to receive cash.
Plan of The Fund is authorized to reimburse Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") for
Distribution specific expenses incurred in promoting the distribution of the Fund's shares pursuant to a Plan
of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Reimbursement
may in no event exceed an amount equal to payments at the annual rate of 0.20 of 1% of average
daily net assets of the Fund (see page 16). The Distributor also receives a sales charge of 3% of
the offering price.
Special The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of its
Risk portfolio securities. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities have different characteristics
Considerations than traditional debt securities, primarily in that interest and principal payments are made more
frequently, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time (see page 7).
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities generally decrease in value as a result of increases
in interest rates and may benefit less than other fixed-income securities from declining interest
rates because of prepayment risks. The types of mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may
invest include derivative products such as collaterized mortgage obligations and stripped
mortgage-backed securities, which are highly sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest
rates and have special characteristics and risks (see page 9). Asset-backed securities involve
certain risks not posed by mortgage-backed securities, resulting mainly from the fact that
asset-backed securities do not usually contain the complete benefit of a security interest in the
related collateral (see page 10). In addition, the Fund may utilize certain investment
techniques, including options and futures for hedging purposes, and the use of leverage,
including reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls, which entail additional risks (see
pages 11).
Reduced Right of Accumulation; Letter of Intent; Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions;
Sales EasyInvest-SM-; Systematic Withdrawal Plan; Exchange Privilege (see pages 16-19).
Charges and
Shareholder
Services
</TABLE>
THE ABOVE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING
ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND 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
year ended October 31, 1993.
The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of
the Fund will incur.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)................................................... 3.0%
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends.................................... None
Deferred Sales Charge................................................................... None
Redemption Fees......................................................................... None
Exchange Fee............................................................................ None
ANNUAL FUND EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fees......................................................................... 0.50%
12b-1 Fees*............................................................................. 0.19%
Other Expenses.......................................................................... 0.91%
Total Fund Expenses..................................................................... 1.60%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
*_THE 12B-1 FEE IS CHARACTERIZED AS A SERVICE FEE WITHIN THE MEANING OF NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. ("NASD") GUIDELINES.
<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.......... $ 46 $ 79 $ 114 $ 214
</TABLE>
THE ABOVE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OF THE FUND MAY BE MORE OR LESS
THAN THOSE SHOWN.
The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. For a more complete description of these costs and expenses, see
"The Fund and Its Management" and "Purchase of Fund Shares."
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 and the data relating to debt outstanding
have been audited by Price Waterhouse, independent accountants. This data 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
FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR JULY 1, 1991*
ENDED ENDED THROUGH
OCTOBER 31, 1993 OCTOBER 31, 1992 OCTOBER 31, 1991
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period............ $9.69 $9.95 $9.60
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Net investment income......................... 0.73 0.71 0.26
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments.................................. (0.45) (0.21) 0.37
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Total from investment operations................ 0.28 0.50 0.63
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Less dividends and distributions:
Dividends from net investment income.......... (0.61) (0.71) (0.26)
Distribution from net realized gain on
investments.................................. (0.18) (0.05) (0.02)
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Total dividends and distributions............... (0.79) (0.76) (0.28)
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Net asset value, end of period.................. $9.18 $9.69 $9.95
-------- ----------------- -----------------
-------- ----------------- -----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+.......................... 2.87% 5.18% 6.41%(1)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)........ $90,260 $154,860 $132,219
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
Operating expenses............................ 0.95% 0.99% 0.85%(2)
Interest expense.............................. 0.65% 0.61% 0.84%(2)
Total expenses.............................. 1.60% 1.60% 1.69%(2)(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net
assets........................................... 7.32% 7.05% 7.50%(2)(3)
Portfolio turnover rate........................... 412% 254% 91%
<FN>
- ------------------------
+ DOES NOT REFLECT THE DEDUCTION OF SALES LOAD.
* DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
(1) NOT ANNUALIZED.
(2) ANNUALIZED.
(3) IF THE FUND HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES THAT WERE ASSUMED BY THE INVESTMENT
MANAGER, THE ABOVE ANNUALIZED EXPENSE RATIO WOULD HAVE BEEN 1.85% ($.065
PER SHARE) AND THE ABOVE ANNUALIZED NET INVESTMENT INCOME RATIO WOULD HAVE
BEEN 7.34% ($.253 PER SHARE).
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE AMOUNT AVERAGE NUMBER AVERAGE AMOUNT OF
AMOUNT OF DEBT OF DEBT OF FUND SHARES FUND'S DEBT PER
OUTSTANDING AT OUTSTANDING DURING OUTSTANDING DURING SHARE
YEAR END OF PERIOD THE PERIOD THE PERIOD DURING THE PERIOD
- ---------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ------------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1993.......................................... $ 10,855,000 $ 24,425,664 13,722,283 $ 1.78
1992.......................................... $ 8,600,000 $ 20,123,140 14,571,640 $ 1.38
1991.......................................... $ 34,909,000 $ 17,673,706 12,163,651 $ 1.45
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
4
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Premier Income 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 March 27, 1991.
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 seventy-nine investment companies, twenty-seven of
which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined total assets of
approximately $68.7 billion at November 30, 1993. The Investment Manager also
manages and advises portfolios of pension plans, other institutions and
individuals which aggregated approximately $2.0 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and supervise the investment of the Fund's
assets. InterCapital has retained Dean Witter Services Company Inc. to perform
the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund.
Under a Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Financial Management L.P.
(the "Sub-Advisor") and the Investment Manager, the Sub-Advisor provides the
Fund with investment advice and portfolio management relating to the Fund's
investments in portfolio securities, subject to the overall supervision of the
Investment Manager. The Fund's Trustees review the various services provided by
the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor 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.
The Sub-Advisor, whose address is 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154,
is a Delaware limited partnership organized in April, 1988 by Laurence D. Fink,
Ralph L. Schlosstein and The Blackstone Group (a private investment bank). The
Sub-Advisor's general partners are Messrs. Fink and Schlosstein and Blackstone
Financial Management Inc. (all the stock of which is owned by partners of The
Blackstone Group). The Sub-Advisor serves as investment adviser to fixed-income
investors in the U.S. and overseas with combined net assets in excess of $18
billion as of November 30, 1993.
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
annual rate of 0.50% to the Fund's net assets. As compensation for its services
provided pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Investment Manager pays the
Sub-Advisor monthly compensation equal to 40% of its monthly compensation.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1993, the Fund accrued total
compensation to the Investment Manager amounting to .50% of the Fund's average
daily net assets (of which 40% was accrued to the Sub-Advisor by the Investment
Manager) and the Fund's total expenses amounted to 1.60% 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 consistent with low volatility of principal. The Fund's investment
objective is a fundamental policy and may not be changed without shareholder
approval. There is no assurance that the objective will be achieved. The
5
<PAGE>
following policies may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder
approval.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing under normal
circumstances at least 65% of its total assets in (i) fixed rate and adjustable
rate mortgage-backed securities ("Mortgage-Backed Securities") and (ii)
securities backed by other assets, such as automobile or credit card receivables
and home equity loans ("Asset-Backed Securities"). The Fund will only purchase
Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-Backed Securities which are issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or
are rated Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or AAA by Standard
& Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or, if not rated, determined to be of comparable
quality by the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor. (Currently there are no
Asset-Backed Securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government,
its agencies or instrumentalities.) The Fund expects that under normal
circumstances the market value dollar weighted average life (or period until the
next reset date) of the Fund's portfolio securities will be no greater than five
years.
The Fund seeks to achieve low volatility by investing in a diversified
portfolio of securities which the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor believe
will, in the aggregate, be resistant to significant fluctuations in market
value. The Investment Manager and Sub-Advisor believe that the Fund's policies
of purchasing shorter term Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities will
reduce the volatility of the Fund's net asset value over the long term. Although
the values of fixed-income securities generally increase during periods of
declining interest rates and decrease during periods of increasing interest
rates, the extent of these fluctuations has historically generally been smaller
for short term securities than for securities with longer maturities.
Conversely, the yield available on short term securities has also historically
been lower on average than those available from longer term securities.
While the Fund invests primarily in Mortgage-Backed Securities and
Asset-Backed Securities, under ordinary circumstances it may invest up to 35% of
its total assets in (i) U.S. Government securities (securities guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the United States or its agencies or
instrumentalities), (ii) corporate debt securities, including adjustable rate
securities, rated Aaa by Moody's or AAA by S&P or, if unrated, determined to be
of comparable quality by the Fund's Trustees, (iii) with respect to up to 5% of
the Fund's total assets, high quality municipal securities, including zero
coupon securities, with the highest rating by Moody's or S&P, or (iv) money
market instruments. U.S. Government securities in which the Fund may invest
include Treasury bills, notes and bonds, including zero coupon securities. Money
market instruments in which the Fund may invest are securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government (Treasury bills, notes and bonds, including
zero coupon securities); bank obligations; Eurodollar certificates of deposit;
obligations of savings institutions; fully insured certificates of deposit; and
commercial paper rated within the two highest grades by Moody's or S&P or, if
not rated, issued by a company having an outstanding debt issue rated AAA by S&P
or Aaa by Moody's.
In an effort to increase investment return or to hedge the Fund's portfolio,
the Fund may engage in various investment techniques, including reverse
repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, purchasing and selling call and put
options, entering into interest rate futures contracts and related options,
purchasing securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment
basis and lending portfolio securities (see "Other Investment Policies" below).
There may be periods during which, in the opinion of the Investment Manager
and the Sub-Advisor, market conditions warrant reduction of some or all of the
Fund's securities holdings. During such periods, the Fund may adopt a temporary
"defensive" posture in which greater than 35% of its total assets are invested
in U.S. Government securities, money market instruments or cash.
6
<PAGE>
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
Mortgage-Backed Securities are securities that directly or indirectly
represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans
secured by real property. The term Mortgage-Backed Securities as used herein
includes adjustable rate mortgage securities and derivative mortgage products
such as collateralized mortgage obligations, stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities
and other products described below.
There are currently three basic types of Mortgage-Backed Securities: (i)
those issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or one of its
agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and the
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("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 United States 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
United States governmental or private lenders and guaranteed, to the extent
provided in such securities, by the United States 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 semiannually)
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 invests
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 is a federally chartered,
privately owned corporation and FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the
United States. FNMA and FHLMC certificates are not backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States but 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.
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
7
<PAGE>
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. Private mortgage pass-through
securities 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. Types of credit enhancements are described under
"Asset-Backed Securities" below.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS AND MULTICLASS PASS-THROUGH
SECURITIES. Collateralized mortgage obligations or "CMOs" 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 United
States 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, 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 Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 semiannual 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.
Gen-
8
<PAGE>
erally, 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 tend to be 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.
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities are
derivative multiclass mortgage securities. Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities
may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the United States 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.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities usually are structured with two classes
that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distribution on
a pool of Mortgage Assets. A common type of Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities
will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal
from the Mortgage Assets, while the other class will receive most of the
interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class
will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or "IO" class), while the
other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or "PO"
class). PO classes generate income through the accretion of the deep discount at
which such securities are purchased, and, while PO classes do not receive
periodic payments of interest, they receive monthly payments associated with
scheduled amortization and principal prepayment from the Mortgage Assets
underlying the PO class. The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely
sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the
related underlying Mortgage Assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may
have a material adverse effect on the Fund's yield to maturity. If the
underlying Mortgage Assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of
principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these
securities even if the securities are rated Aaa by Moody's or AAA by S&P.
The Fund may purchase Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities for income, or for
hedging purposes to protect the Fund's portfolio against interest rate
fluctuations. For example, since an IO class will tend to increase in value as
interest rates rise, it may be utilized to hedge against a decrease in value of
other fixed-income securities in a rising interest rate environment. The Fund
understands that the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission considers
privately issued Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities representing interest only
or principal only components of U.S. Government or other debt securities to be
illiquid securities. The Fund will treat such securities as illiquid so long as
the staff maintains such position. Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities issued by
the U.S. Government or its agencies, and which are backed by fixed-rate
mort-
9
<PAGE>
gages, will be treated as liquid provided they are so determined by, or under
procedures approved by, the Board of Trustees. The Fund may not invest more than
10% of its total assets in illiquid securities (see "Investment Restrictions"
below).
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The securitization techniques used to develop Mortgage-Backed Securities are
also applied to a broad range of other assets. Through the use of trusts and
special purpose corporations, various types of assets, primarily automobile and
credit card receivables and home equity loans, are being securitized in
pass-through structures similar to the mortgage pass-through structures
described above or in a pay-through structure similar to the CMO structure.
New instruments and variations of existing Mortgage-Backed Securities and
Asset-Backed Securities continue to be developed. The Fund may invest in any
such instruments or variations as may be developed, to the extent consistent
with its investment objective and policies and applicable regulatory
requirements.
TYPES OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT. Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-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.
RISK FACTORS
Mortgage-Backed and Asset-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 will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment
rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing
yield to maturity. Alternatively, if the Fund purchases these securities at a
discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than
expected prepayments will reduce, yield to maturity. The Fund may invest a
portion of its assets in derivative Mortgage-Backed Securities such as Stripped
Mortgage-Backed Securities which are highly sensitive to changes in prepayment
and interest rates. The Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor will seek to
manage these risks (and potential benefits) by investing in a variety of such
securities and through hedging techniques.
Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-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 and, as stated
above, decreases during periods of rising interest rates, as a result of
prepayments and other factors, this is not always the case with respect to
Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-Backed Securities.
10
<PAGE>
Although the extent of prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans depends on
various economic and other factors, 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. Accordingly, 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. Asset-Backed
Securities, although less likely to experience the same prepayment rates as
Mortgage-Backed Securities, may respond to certain of the same factors
influencing prepayments, while at other times different factors, such as changes
in credit use and payment patterns resulting from social, legal and economic
factors, will predominate. Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-Backed
Securities generally decrease in value as a result of increases in interest
rates and may benefit less than other fixed income securities from declining
interest rates because of the risk of prepayment.
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, as stated above, the Fund will invest only
in CMOs which are rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's or, if unrated, are
determined to be of comparable quality. 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.
Asset-Backed Securities involve certain risks that are not posed by
Mortgage-Backed Securities, resulting mainly from the fact that Asset-Backed
Securities do not usually contain the complete benefit of a security interest in
the related collateral. For example, credit card receivables generally are
unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state
and federal consumer credit laws, some of which may reduce the ability to obtain
full payment. In the case of automobile receivables, due to various legal and
economic factors, proceeds from repossessed collateral may not always be
sufficient to support payments on these securities.
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
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.
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.
The Fund may enter into dollar rolls in which the Fund sells securities for
delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase
11
<PAGE>
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 bank in
which it will maintain cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid high
grade debt obligations equal in value to its obligations in respect of reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. 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. Under the
requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), the
Fund is required to maintain an asset coverage (including the proceeds of the
borrowings) of at least 300% of all borrowings. However, under normal
circumstances the Fund does not expect to engage in reverse repurchase
agreements and dollar rolls with respect to greater than 25% of the Fund's total
assets.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS. From
time to time, in the ordinary course of business, 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. 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. The Fund will establish a segregated
account with its custodian bank in which it will maintain cash, U.S. Government
securities or other liquid high grade debt obligations equal in value to its
obligations in respect of when-issued or delayed delivery securities and forward
commitments. The Fund's ability to enter into such transactions is not otherwise
limited, but the Fund expects that under normal circumstances no more than 15%
of the Fund's total assets will be so invested.
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, U.S. Government
securities or other high grade debt securities, which are maintained in a
segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least
equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities.
PRIVATE PLACEMENTS. The Fund may invest in securities which are subject to
restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or which are
otherwise not readily marketable. These securities are generally referred to as
private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on the resale of such
securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent
the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. The Fund may have
to bear the expense of registering such securities for resale and the risk of
substantial delays in effecting such registration.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, which permits the Fund to sell restricted securities to
qualified institutional buyers without limitation. The Investment Manager,
pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Fund, will make a
12
<PAGE>
determination as to the liquidity of each restricted security purchased by the
Fund. If a restricted security is determined to be "liquid," such security will
not be included within the category "illiquid securities," which is limited by
the Fund's investment restrictions to 10% of the Fund's total assets.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. 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"). OTC options are
purchased from or sold (written) to dealers or financial institutions which have
entered into direct agreements with the Fund. The Fund may purchase listed and
over-the-counter call and put options on U.S. Government securities and
Mortgage-Backed Securities in amounts equalling up to 5% of its total assets.
The Fund may purchase call and put options on securities which it holds (or has
the right to acquire) in its portfolio only for hedging purposes.
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, Eurodollar
instruments and Mortgage-Backed Securities. 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, and not for
speculative purposes.
The Fund may also purchase 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.
RISKS OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. 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.
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 or Sub-Advisor 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. Another such risk is that the price of the futures
contract may not move in tandem with the change in prevailing interest rates
against which the Fund seeks a hedge. A correlation may be distorted by the fact
that the futures market is dominated by short-term traders seeking to profit
from the difference between a contract or security price objective and their
cost of borrowed funds. Such distortions are generally minor and would diminish
as the contract approached maturity. See the Statement of Additional Information
for further discussion of such risks.
New futures contracts, options and other financial products and various
combinations thereof continue to be developed. The Fund may invest in any such
futures, options or products as may be developed, to the extent consistent with
its investment objective and applicable regulatory requirements.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by its Investment Manager and the
Sub-Advisor with a view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. As a
result of the Fund's investment objective and policies, and the nature of the
Mortgage-Backed
13
<PAGE>
Securities and Asset-Backed Securities markets, the Fund's portfolio turnover
rate may exceed 200%, but is not expected to exceed 300%. Short-term gains and
losses may result from such portfolio transactions. See "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes" for a discussion of the tax implications of the Fund's
trading policy.
In determining which securities to purchase for the Fund or hold in the
Fund's portfolio, the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor 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 and Sub-Advisor's own analysis of factors it deems
relevant. The Fund is part of the Dean Witter family of mutual funds and is
managed by its Investment Manager, InterCapital, and by its Sub-Advisor,
BlackRock Financial Management ("BlackRock"). BlackRock manages in excess of $18
billion of net assets on behalf of individual and institutional investors,
including 21 closed-end funds and 3 open-end funds. Along with BlackRock's
portfolio management team, Scott Amero has been the Fund's primary portfolio
manager since its inception. Mr. Amero is a Partner of BlackRock and a member of
its Investment Strategy Committee, and is a specialist in the mortgage and short
duration sectors. His areas of expertise include asset-backed securities,
adjustable rate mortgage securities and other short duration mortgage products.
Prior to joining BlackRock in 1990, Mr. Amero was a Vice President in Fixed
Income Research at The First Boston Corporation, where he became the firm's
primary strategist for short duration securities.
Brokerage commissions are not normally charged on the purchase or sale of
Mortgage-Backed Securities or U.S. Government securities, but such transactions
generally involve costs in the form of spreads between bid and asked prices.
Orders for transactions in portfolio securities are placed for the Fund with a
number of brokers and dealers, which may include 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.
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. With respect to 75% of its total assets, 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 of any
one issuer.
3. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers in any one industry, except that the Fund will invest at least 25% of
its assets in Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities under normal market
conditions. This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities.
4. Invest more than 10% of its total assets in "illiquid securities" and
repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days. The
staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that
OTC options are illiquid securities. The Investment Manager and Sub-Advisor
disagree with this position. Nevertheless, the Fund has agreed to treat OTC
options as illiquid securities for purposes of this investment restriction so
long as the staff maintains such position.
14
<PAGE>
5. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three years
of continuous operation. This restriction shall not apply to Mortgage-Backed
Securities or Asset-Backed Securities or to any obligation of the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
6. Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts except that the
Fund may purchase and sell interest rate futures contracts and related
options thereon.
7. 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 initial or variation margin for futures are not
deemed to be pledges of assets.)
8. 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.
9. Borrow money in excess of 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets
(including the proceeds of the borrowings).
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment (except
in the case of Restriction 9), 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.
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the
"Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager, pursuant to a
Distribution Agreement between the Fund and 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 Premier Income 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. 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),
plus a sales charge (expressed as a percentage of the offering price) on a
single transaction as shown in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES CHARGE
----------------------------------------
PERCENTAGE APPROXIMATE
AMOUNT OF OF PUBLIC PERCENTAGE OF
SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED
- ---------------------- ----------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $100,000.... 3.00% 3.09%
$100,000 but less than
$250,000............. 2.50 2.56
$250,000 but less than
$500,000............. 2.00 2.04
$500,000 but less than
$1,000,000........... 1.25 1.27
$1,000,000 and over... -0- -0-
</TABLE>
The above schedule of sales charges is applicable to purchases in a single
transaction by, among others: (a) an individual; (b) an individual, his or her
spouse and their children under the age of 21 purchasing shares for his or her
own accounts;
15
<PAGE>
(c) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust estate or
a single fiduciary account; (d) a pension, profit-sharing or other employee
benefit plan qualified or non-qualified under Section 401 of the Internal
Revenue Code; (e) tax-exempt organizations enumerated in Section 501(c)(3) or
(13) of the Internal Revenue Code; (f) employee benefit plans qualified under
Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of a single employer or of employers
who are "affiliated persons" of each other within the meaning of Section
2(a)(3)(c) of the Act and for investments in Individual Retirement Accounts of
employees of a single employer through Systematic Payroll Deduction Plans, or
(g) any other organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not, provided
the organization has been in existence for at least six months and has some
purpose other than the purchase of redeemable securities of a registered
investment company at a discount.
Shares of the Fund are sold through the Distributor on a normal five
business day settlement basis; that is, payment is due on the fifth business day
(settlement date) after the order is placed with the Distributor. Shares of the
Fund purchased through the Distributor are entitled to any dividends declared
beginning on the next business day following settlement date. Since DWR and
other Selected Broker-Dealers forward investors' funds on settlement date, they
will benefit from the temporary use of the funds if payment is made prior
thereto. Shares purchased through the Transfer Agent are entitled to any
dividends declared 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 income dividends
and capital gains distributions if their order is received by the close of
business on the day prior to the record date for such dividends and
distributions. The Fund and/ or the Distributor reserve the right to reject any
purchase order.
REDUCED SALES CHARGE
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION. Investors may benefit from a reduction of the sales
charges in accordance with the above schedule if the cumulative net asset value
of shares of the Fund purchased in a single transaction, together with shares
previously purchased which are held at the time of such transaction, amounts to
$100,000 or more.
The Distributor must be notified by the shareholder at the time a purchase
order is placed that the purchase qualifies for the reduced charge under the
Right of Accumulation. Similar notification must be made in writing by the
shareholder when such an order is placed by mail. The reduced sales charge will
not be granted if: (a) such notification is not furnished at the time of the
order; or (b) a review of the records of the Distributor or the Transfer Agent
fails to confirm the investor's represented holdings.
LETTER OF INTENT. The foregoing schedule of reduced sales charges will also
be available to investors who enter into a written Letter of Intent providing
for the purchase, within a thirteen-month period, of shares of the Fund from the
Distributor. The cost of shares of the Fund which were previously purchased at a
price including a front-end sales charge during the 90-day period prior to the
date of receipt by the Distributor of the Letter of Intent, which are still
owned by the shareholder, may also be included in determining the applicable
reduction.
For further information concerning purchases of the Fund's shares, contact
the Distributor or consult the Statement of Additional Information.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has entered into a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Act, whereby the expenses of certain activities and services by DWR
and others who engage in or support distribution of Fund shares or who service
shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses incurred in
connection with the distribution of the Fund's shares, are reimbursed.
Reimbursements for these expenses will be made in monthly payments by the Fund
to the Distributor, which will in no event exceed an amount equal to a payment
at the annual rate of 0.20 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
Expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Plan in any fiscal year
will
16
<PAGE>
not be reimbursed by the Fund through payments accrued in any subsequent fiscal
year. No interest or other financial charges will be incurred on any
distribution expense incurred by the Distributor under the Plan or on any
unreimbursed expenses due to the Distributor pursuant to the Plan. 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 Fund accrued $251,868 to the Distributor, pursuant to the Plan of
Distribution, for the year ended October 31, 1993. This is an accrual at the
annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00
p.m., New York time on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open by
taking the value of all assets of the Fund, subtracting all its liabilities,
dividing by the number of shares outstanding and adjusting to the nearest cent.
The net asset value per share will not be determined on Good Friday and on such
other federal and non-federal holidays as are observed by the New York Stock
Exchange.
In the calculation of the Fund's net asset value: (1) an equity portfolio
security listed or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange is valued
at its last sale price on that exchange prior to the time when assets are
valued; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the closing
bid price, and (2) 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. When market quotations are not readily available, including
circumstances under which it is determined by the Investment Manager and/or the
Sub-Advisor 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).
Certain of the Fund's portfolio securities for which reliable market
quotations are generally not readily available are valued by an outside pricing
service approved by the Fund's Trustees. The pricing service utilizes a
computerized grid matrix and/ or research and evaluations by its staff in
determining what it believes is the fair value of the portfolio securities
valued by such pricing service.
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' fair value, in which case these
securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the Trustees.
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. Each purchase of shares of the Fund is made
upon the condition that the Transfer Agent is thereby automatically appointed as
agent of the investor to receive all dividends and capital gains distributions
on shares owned by the investor. Such dividends and distributions will be paid
in shares of the Fund (or in cash if the shareholder so requests) at the net
asset value per share (without sales charge) on the monthly payment date, which
will be no later than the last business day of the month for which the dividend
or distribution is payable. Processing of dividend checks begins immediately
following the monthly payment date. Shareholders who have requested to receive
dividends in cash will normally receive their monthly dividend
17
<PAGE>
checks during the first ten days of the following month.
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.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A withdrawal plan is available for shareholders
who own or purchase shares of the Fund having a minimum value of $10,000 based
upon the then current offering price. The plan provides for monthly or quarterly
(March, June, September, December) checks in any dollar amount, not less than
$25 or in any whole percentage of the account balances, on an annualized basis.
Shareholders should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further information about any of the
above services.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. The Fund makes available to its shareholders an
"Exchange Privilege" allowing the exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of
other Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end (at time of purchase) sales charge
("FESC funds"), for shares of 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 and five Dean Witter Funds which are money market funds (the foregoing
eight non-FESC and 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. However, shares of CDSC funds, including shares acquired in
exchange for shares of FESC funds, may not be exchanged for shares of FESC
funds. Thus, shareholders who exchange their Fund shares for shares of CDSC
funds may subsequently exchange those shares for shares of other CDSC funds or
Exchange Funds but may not reacquire FESC fund shares by exchange.
An exchange to another FESC fund, to a CDSC fund or to an Exchange Fund that
is not a money-market fund is on the basis of the next calculated net asset
value per share of each fund after the exchange order is received. When
exchanging into a money market fund from the Fund, shares of the Fund are
redeemed out of the Fund at their next calculated net asset value and the
proceeds of the redemption are used to purchase shares of the money market fund
at their net asset value determined the following business day. Subsequent
exchanges between any of the Exchange Funds, FESC funds and CDSC funds can be
effected on the same basis (except that CDSC fund shares may not be exchanged
for shares of FESC funds). Shares of a CDSC fund acquired in exchange for shares
of an FESC fund (or in exchange for shares of other Dean Witter Funds for which
shares of an FESC fund have been exchanged) are not subject to any contingent
deferred sales charge upon their redemption.
Purchases and exchanges should be made for investment purposes only. A
pattern of frequent exchanges may be deemed by the Investment Manager to be
abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders and,
at the Investment Manager's discretion, may be limited by the Fund's refusal to
accept additional purchases and/ or exchanges from the investor. Although the
Fund does not have any specific definition of what constitutes a pattern of
frequent exchanges, and will consider all relevant factors in determining
whether a particular situation is abusive and contrary to the best interests of
the Fund and its other shareholders, investors 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
18
<PAGE>
Exchange Privilege may be terminated or revised at any time by the Fund and/or
any of such Dean Witter Funds for which shares of the Fund may be exchanged,
upon such notice as may be required by applicable regulatory agencies.
Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another Selected
Broker-Dealer are referred to their account executive regarding restrictions on
exchange of shares of the Fund pledged in their margin account.
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) 526-3143 (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.
For additional information about the Exchange Privilege, shareholders should
contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer account executive or the
Transfer Agent.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEMPTION. Shares of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at any time at
their current net asset value per share (without any redemption or other
charge). If shares are held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate, a written request for redemption is required. If certificates are
held by the shareholder(s), the shares may be redeemed by surrendering the
certificate(s) with a written request for redemption along with any additional
information required by the Transfer Agent.
REPURCHASE. DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers are authorized to
repurchase shares represented by a share certificate which is delivered to any
of their offices. Shares held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate may be repurchased by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers upon the
telephonic request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the net asset
value next determined (see "Purchase of Fund Share -- Determination of Net Asset
Value") after such repurchase order is received. Repurchase orders received by
DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any
business day will be priced at the net asset value per share that is based on
that day's close. Repurchase orders received after 4:00 p.m., New York time,
will be priced on the basis of the next business day's close. Selected Broker-
Dealers may charge for their services in connection
19
<PAGE>
with the repurchase, but the Fund, DWR and the Distributor do not charge a fee.
Payment for shares repurchased may be made by the Fund to DWR and other Selected
Broker-Dealers for the account of the shareholder. The offer by DWR and other
Selected Broker-Dealers to repurchase shares from dealers or shareholders may be
suspended by them at any time. In that event, shareholders may redeem their
shares through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set forth above under "Redemption."
PAYMENT FOR SHARES REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED. Payment for shares presented
for repurchase or redemption will be made by check within seven days after
receipt by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in good
order. Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at
times when normal trading is not taking place on the New York Stock Exchange. If
the shares to be redeemed have recently been purchased by check, payment of the
redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time needed to verify that
the check used for investment has been honored (not more than fifteen days from
the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent). Shareholders
maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer are
referred to their account executive regarding restrictions on redemption of
shares of the Fund pledged in the margin account.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. A shareholder who has had his or her shares
redeemed or repurchased and has not previously exercised this reinstatement
privilege may, within 30 days after the date of the redemption or repurchase,
reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of such redemption or repurchase in
shares of the Fund at their net asset value (without a sales charge) next
determined after a reinstatement request, together with the proceeds, is
received by the Transfer Agent.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. The Fund reserves the right, on sixty days' notice,
to redeem at their net asset value, the shares of any shareholder (other than
shares held in an Individual Retirement Account or custodial account under
Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code) whose shares have a value of
less than $100 as a result of redemptions or repurchases, or such lesser amount
as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees. However, before the Fund redeems such
shares and sends the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder
that the value of the shares is less than $100 and allow the shareholder sixty
days to make an additional investment in an amount which will increase the value
of the account to $100 or more before the redemption is processed.
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.
Net realized short-term and 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 long-term gains for reinvestment.
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 remain
qualified 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
20
<PAGE>
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 gain or loss and
40% short-term gain or loss. 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
distribution.
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. 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.
After the end of the calendar year, shareholders will be sent full
information on their dividends and any capital gains distributions for tax
purposes, including information as to the portion taxable as ordinary income,
the portion taxable as 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, distributions and the proceeds of
redemptions and repurchases, shareholders' taxpayer identification numbers must
be furnished and certified as to their accuracy.
Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has
held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in
additional shares or in cash. Capital gains distributions are not eligible for
the corporate dividends received deduction.
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. Shareholders will be notified annually by the Fund as to
the Federal tax status of dividends and distributions paid or retained by the
Fund.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time the Fund may quote its "yield" and/or its "total return"
in advertisements and sales literature. Both the yield and the total return of
the Fund are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate
future performance. The yield of the Fund is computed by dividing the Fund's net
investment income over a 30-day period by an average value (using the average
number of shares entitled to receive dividends and the maximum offering price
per share at the end of the period), all in accordance with applicable
regulatory requirements. Such amount is compounded for six months and then
annualized for a twelve-month period to derive the Fund's yield.
The "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 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 period. 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
21
<PAGE>
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 front-end
sales charge which, if reflected, would reduce the performance quoted. The Fund
may also advertise the growth of hypothetical investments of $10,000, $50,000
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.).
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 obligations of the
Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund and requires that
notice of such disclaimer be given in each instrument entered into or executed
by the Fund, 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.
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. All inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed
to the Fund at the telephone numbers or address set forth on the front cover of
this Prospectus.
22
<PAGE>
THE DEAN WITTER FAMILY OF FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
Dean Witter U.S. Government
Money Market Trust
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily
Income Trust
Dean Witter New York Municipal
Money Market Trust
EQUITY FUNDS
Dean Witter American Value Fund
Dean Witter Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
Dean Witter Equity Income Trust
Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
Dean Witter Utilities Fund
Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Health Services Trust
Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
DEAN WITTER RETIREMENT SERIES
Liquid Asset Series
U.S. Government Money Market Series
U.S. Government Securities Series
Intermediate Income Securities Series
American Value Series
Capital Growth Series
Dividend Growth Series
Strategist Series
Utilities Series
Value-Added Market Series
Global Equity Series
ASSET ALLOCATION FUNDS
Dean Witter Managed Assets Trust
Dean Witter Strategist Fund
ACTIVE ASSETS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
Active Assets Money Trust
Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
Active Assets Government Securities Trust
<PAGE>
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
TRUSTEES
Jack F. Bennett
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Dr. John E. Jeuck
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Paul Kolton
Michael E. Nugent
Albert T. Sommers
Edward R. Telling
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
110 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
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
SUB-ADVISOR
BlackRock Financial Management L.P.
DEAN WITTER
PREMIER INCOME
TRUST
Prospectus
January 12, 1994
1/12/94
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
JANUARY 12, 1994 [LOGO]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end, diversified
management investment company, whose investment objective is to earn a high
level of current income consistent with low volatility of principal. The Fund
seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in high-quality
Mortgage-Backed Securities and securities backed by other assets ("Asset-Backed
Securities").
A Prospectus for the Fund dated January 12, 1994, which provides the basic
information you should know before investing in the Fund, may be obtained
without charge from the Fund at the address or telephone number listed below or
from the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc. or from Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc., at any of its branch offices. This Statement of Additional
Information is not a Prospectus. It contains information in addition to and more
detailed than that set forth in the Prospectus. It is intended to provide
additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Fund, and
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus.
Dean Witter
Premier Income Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
The Fund and its Management............................................................ 3
Trustees and Officers.................................................................. 8
Investment Practices and Policies...................................................... 11
Investment Restrictions................................................................ 22
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage................................................... 23
The Distributor........................................................................ 24
Determination of Net Asset Value....................................................... 28
Shareholder Services................................................................... 29
Redemptions and Repurchases............................................................ 32
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes..................................................... 33
Performance Information................................................................ 35
Description of Shares.................................................................. 36
Custodian and Transfer Agent........................................................... 37
Independent Accountants................................................................ 37
Reports to Shareholders................................................................ 37
Legal Counsel.......................................................................... 37
Experts................................................................................ 37
Registration Statement................................................................. 38
Financial Statements -- October 31, 1993............................................... 39
</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
March 27, 1991.
THE INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Investment
Manager" or "InterCapital"), whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York,
New York 10048, is the Fund's Investment Manager. InterCapital is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC"), a Delaware corporation. In
an internal reorganization which took place in January, 1993, InterCapital
assumed the investment advisory, administrative and management activities
previously performed by the InterCapital Division of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of InterCapital. (As hereinafter used in this
Statement of Additional Information, the terms "InterCapital" and "Investment
Manager" refer to DWR's InterCapital Division prior to the internal
reorganization and Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. thereafter.) The daily
management of the Fund is conducted by or under the direction of officers of the
Fund and of the Investment Manager and Sub-Advisor, 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., InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust, InterCapital
Insured Municipal Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust,
InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust, Dean Witter Diversified Income
Trust, Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust, Dean Witter Retirement Series, 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 Equity Income Trust, Dean Witter New York
Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust, Dean Witter
Federal Securities Trust, Dean Witter Managed Assets Trust, High Income
Advantage Trust, High Income Advantage Trust II, High Income Advantage Trust
III, Dean Witter Government Income Trust, Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series,
Dean Witter Utilities Fund, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust,
Dean Witter Strategist Fund, Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust, Dean Witter
Intermediate Income Securities, Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities, Dean
Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust, Dean Witter European Growth Fund
Inc., Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust, Dean Witter Global
Short-Term Income Fund Inc., Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter
Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust,
Active Assets Money Trust, Active Assets Tax-Free Trust, Active Assets
California Tax-Free Trust, Active Assets Government Securities Trust,
InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust, InterCapital California Insured
Municipal Income Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital
California Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital New York Quality Municipal
Securities, Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities, Dean Witter Limited
Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Municipal Income Trust,
Municipal Income Trust II, Municipal
3
<PAGE>
Income Opportunities Trust, Municipal Income Opportunities Trust II, Municipal
Income Opportunities Trust III, Municipal Income 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 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.
The Investment Manager also serves as an investment adviser for Dean Witter
World Wide Investment Fund, an investment company organized under the laws of
Luxembourg, shares of which are not available for purchase in the United States
or by American citizens outside the United States.
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement")
with the Investment Manager, the Fund has retained the Investment Manager to
supervise the investment of the Fund's assets. The Investment Manager, through
consultation with BlackRock Financial Management L.P. (the "Sub-Advisor") and
through its own portfolio management staff, obtains and evaluates such
information and advice relating to the economy, securities markets, and specific
securities as it considers necessary or useful to continuously oversee the
management of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment
objective.
Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager also
maintains certain of the Fund's books and records and furnishes, at its own
expense, such office space, facilities, equipment, clerical help and bookkeeping
and certain 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.
On December 31, 1993, InterCapital effected an internal reorganization
pursuant to which administrative activities previously performed by InterCapital
are instead performed by DWSC. Pursuant to the reorganization, InterCapital has
entered into a Services Agreement pursuant to which DWSC provides administrative
services to the Fund that were previously performed directly by InterCapital.
The foregoing internal reorganization did not result in any change of 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 Management Agreement.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the
Management Agreement, by the Sub-Advisor pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement
(see below), or by the Distributor of the
4
<PAGE>
Fund's shares (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 Sub-Advisor or any corporate affiliate of the
Investment Manager or Sub-Advisor; all expenses incident to any dividend,
withdrawal or redemption options; charges and expenses of any outside service
used for pricing of the Fund's shares; fees and expenses of the Fund's legal
counsel, including counsel to the Trustees who are not interested persons of the
Fund or of the Investment Manager or Sub-Advisor (not including compensation or
expenses of attorneys who are employees of the Investment Manager or
Sub-Advisor) and independent accountants; membership dues of industry
associations; interest on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance premiums on
property or personnel (including officers and directors) of the Fund which inure
to its benefit; extraordinary expenses (including, but not limited to, legal
claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification relating
thereto); and all other costs of the Fund's operation.
The Management Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations thereunder, the Investment Manager is not liable to the Fund or any
of its investors for any act or omission by the Investment Manager or for any
losses sustained by the Fund or its investors. The Management Agreement in no
way restricts the Investment Manager from acting as investment manager or
adviser to others.
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 annual
rate of 0.50% to the Fund's daily net assets. For the fiscal years ended October
31, 1993, 1992 and for the fiscal period July 1, 1991 (commencement of
operations) through October 31, 1991, the Fund accrued to the Investment Manager
total compensation under the Management Agreement in the amounts of $657,860,
$722,695 and $199,332, respectively.
Pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Sub-Advisor, the Sub-Advisor has been retained, subject to the overall
supervision of the Investment Manager and the Trustees of the Fund, to
continuously furnish investment advice concerning individual portfolio security
selections.
The Sub-Advisor is an affiliate of The Blackstone Group ("Blackstone"), a
private investment bank founded in 1985 by Peter G. Peterson, former Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb, Inc.("Lehman") and
former Secretary of Commerce of the United States, and Stephen A. Schwarzman, a
former Lehman partner and former Chairman of Lehman's Merger and Acquisition
Committee. Mr. Peterson is the Chairman of Blackstone and Mr. Schwarzman is the
President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Sub-Advisor provides asset management services with respect to high
quality fixed income instruments, with particular emphasis on Mortgage-Backed
Securities. The Sub-Advisor currently serves
5
<PAGE>
as the investment adviser to fixed income investors in the United States and
overseas through several funds with combined net assets under management in
excess of $18 billion. These include twenty-one closed-end investment companies:
The BlackRock Income Trust Inc., The BlackRock Target Term Trust Inc., The
BlackRock Advantage Term Trust Inc., The BlackRock Strategic Term Trust Inc.,
The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc., The BlackRock Municipal Term Trust Inc., The
BlackRock Insured Municipal Term Trust Inc., The BlackRock North American
Government Income Trust Inc., The BlackRock Investment Quality Term Trust Inc.,
The BlackRock Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc., The BlackRock California
Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc., The BlackRock Florida Insured Municipal
2008 Term Trust Inc., The BlackRock New York Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust
Inc., The BlackRock 1999 Term Trust Inc., The BlackRock Investment Quality
Municipal Trust Inc., The BlackRock California Investment Quality Municipal
Trust Inc., The BlackRock Florida Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc., The
BlackRock New York Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc., The BlackRock New
Jersey Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc., The BlackRock Investment Grade
2009 Term Trust Inc. and The BlackRock 2001 Term Trust Inc., which were designed
for individual investors and are listed on either the New York or American Stock
Exchange. Each of these funds is a closed-end management investment company that
invests primarily in investment grade Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed
Securities and in securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities or invests in Municipal
Securities. Another fund, BlackRock Short Duration L.P., was privately placed
with institutional investors, and invests in high credit quality short-duration
fixed income instruments. The Sub-Advisor also serves as the investment advisor
to six offshore funds: BlackRock Fund for Fannie Mae Mortgage Securities,
BlackRock Freddie Mac Mortgage Securities Fund, BFM Mortgage Performance Fund,
BFM Libor Mortgage Fund, BSY Financial Corp. and Gemini I. Each of these funds
invests primarily in U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities. In addition, the
Sub-Advisor serves as investment advisor to several institutional investors in
separate accounts.
The Sub-Advisor's general and limited partners and employees include several
individuals with extensive experience in creating, evaluating and investing in
Mortgage-Backed Securities, Asset-Backed Securities and hedging products. Prior
to co-founding the Sub-Advisor (of which he is a general partner), from July
1976 to March 1988, Laurence D. Fink was employed by The First Boston
Corporation where he had been a Managing Director since January 1979. At First
Boston, he was a member of the Management Committee and co-head of its Taxable
Fixed Income Division. He also managed the Financial Futures and Fixed Income
Options Department and the Mortgage and Real Estate Products Group. Ralph L.
Schlosstein, President and a co-founder of the Sub-Advisor (of which he is a
general partner), was employed by Shearson Lehman Brothers Inc. from February
1981 to March 1988 and became a Managing Director in August, 1984. At Shearson
Lehman, he was co-head of the Mortgage and Savings Institutions Group. Messrs.
Fink and Schlosstein, along with other members of the Sub-Advisor, were
instrumental in many of the major innovations in these securities markets,
including the creation of the fixed and floating rate collateralized mortgage
obligation, asset-backed securities and the senior-subordinated mortgage
pass-through securities.
Both the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor have authorized any of their
directors, partners, officers and employees who have been elected as Trustees or
officers of the Fund to serve in the capacities in which they have been elected.
Services furnished by directors, the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor may
be furnished by directors, partners, officers and employees of the Investment
Manager and the Sub-Advisor. In connection with the services rendered by the
Sub-Advisor, the Sub-
6
<PAGE>
Advisor bears the following expenses: (a) the salaries and expenses of its
personnel; and (b) all expenses incurred by it in connection with performing the
services provided by it as Sub-Advisor, as described above.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and the Investment Manager and expenses of the Fund and the Investment Manager
assumed by the Sub-Advisor, the Investment Manager pays the Sub-Advisor monthly
compensation equal to 40% of the Investment Manager's monthly compensation
payable under the Management Agreement. For the fiscal years ended October 31,
1993, 1992 and for the fiscal period from July 1, 1991 through October 31, 1991,
the Investment Manager informed the Fund that the Investment Manager accrued to
the Sub-Advisor total compensation under the Sub-Advisory Agreement of $263,144,
$289,078 and $79,733, respectively.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory 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. Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, if any
such reimbursement is made by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager
will, in turn, be reimbursed for 40% of such payment by the Sub-Advisor. The
reimbursement, if any, will be calculated daily and credited on a monthly basis.
The Investment Manager paid the organizational expenses of the Fund incurred
prior to the offering of the Fund's shares. The Fund reimbursed the Investment
Manager for $150,000 of such expenses, in accordance with the terms of the
Underwriting Agreement between the Fund and DWR. The Fund has deferred and is
amortizing the reimbursed expenses on the straight line method over a period not
to exceed five years from the date of commencement of the Fund's operations.
The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement were initially
approved by the Trustees on April 16, 1991 and by DWR as the then sole
shareholder on May 15, 1991. Under their terms and by approval of the Trustees,
including a majority of the Independent Trustees at their meeting held on April
29, 1992, the agreements will continue in effect until April 30, 1993, and from
year to year thereafter, provided continuance of the agreements are 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 Trustees of the Fund; provided
that in either event such continuances are approved annually by the vote of a
majority of the Independent Trustees, which votes must be cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
At their meeting held on October 30, 1992, the Trustees of the Fund,
including all the Trustees of the Fund who are not parties to the Investment
Management Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "Act")) of any such party (the "Independent Trustees"),
approved the assumption by InterCapital of DWR's rights and duties under the
Investment Management Agreement, which assumption took place upon the
reorganization described above. At a special meeting of shareholders held on
January 12, 1993, the shareholders voted to approve a new Investment
7
<PAGE>
Management Agreement with InterCapital and a new Sub-Advisory Agreement with the
Sub-Advisor to become effective upon the spin-off by Sears, Roebuck and Co. of
its remaining shares of DWDC, which Agreements took effect on June 30, 1993, and
will continue in effect until April 30, 1994. Both agreements may be terminated
at any time, without penalty, on thirty days' notice by the Trustees of the
Fund, by the holders of a majority (as defined in the Act), of the outstanding
shares of the Fund, by the Investment Manager, or the Sub-Advisor (Sub-Advisory
Agreement only). The agreements will automatically terminate in the event of
their assignment (as defined in the Act).
The Fund has acknowledged that the name "Dean Witter" is a property right of
DWR. The Fund has agreed that the Investment Manager 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 Management 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 Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds are shown
below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Jack F. Bennett Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly
Trustee Senior Vice President and Director of Exxon Corporation
141 Taconic Road (1975-January, 1989) and Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury for
Greenwich, Connecticut Monetary Affairs (1974-1975); Director of Philips Electronics N.V.
(electronics), Tandem Computers Inc. and Massachusetts Mutual
Insurance Co.; director or trustee of various not-for-profit and
business organizations.
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of InterCapital,
Chairman of the Board, Dean Witter Distributors Inc. and DWSC; Executive Vice President
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of DWR; Chairman, Director or Trustee, President and
and Trustee Chief Executive Officer of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman, Chief
Two World Trade Center Executive Officer and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Chairman and
New York, New York Director of Dean Witter Trust Company ("DWTC") (since October,
1989); Director and/or officer of various DWDC subsidiaries;
formerly Executive Vice President and Director of DWDC (until
February, 1993).
Edwin J. Garn Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly United
Trustee States Senator (R-Utah) (1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate Banking
2000 Eagle Gate Tower Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah (1971-1974); formerly Astronaut, Space Shuttle Discovery (April
12-19, 1985); Vice Chairman, Huntsman Chemical Corporation (since
January, 1993); member of the board of various civic and
charitable organizations.
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
John R. Haire Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Committee of
Trustee the Independent Directors or Trustees and Director or Trustee of
439 East 51st Street the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly
New York, New York 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) and Bowne & Co. Inc., (printing).
Dr. John E. Jeuck Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly
Trustee Robert Law Professor of Business Administration, Graduate School
70 East Cedar Street of Business, University of Chicago (until July 1989); Business
Chicago, Illinois Consultant.
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc., a consulting
Trustee firm; Koch Professor of International Economics and Director of
7521 Old Dominion Drive the Center for Global Market Studies at George Mason University
Maclean, Virginia (since September, 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 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 Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman of the
Trustee Audit Committee and Chairman of the Committee of the Independent
9 Hunting Ridge Road Trustees and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly Chairman of the
Stamford, Connecticut Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council and Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of the American Stock Exchange; Director
of UCC Investors Holding Inc. (Uniroyal Chemical Company);
director or trustee of various not-for-profit organizations.
Michael E. Nugent General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private investment
Trustee partnership (since April, 1988); Director or Trustee of the Dean
237 Park Avenue Witter Funds, and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly Vice
New York, New York President, Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation
(September, 1984-March, 1988); Director of various business
organizations.
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Albert T. Sommers Senior Fellow and Economic Counselor (formerly Senior Vice
Trustee President and Chief Economist) of the Conference Board, a
845 Third Avenue not-for-profit business research organization; President, Albert
New York, New York T. Sommers, Inc., an economic consulting firm; Director or Trustee
of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly Chairman, Price Advisory
Committee of the Council on Wage and Price Stability (December,
1979 - December, 1980); Economic Adviser, The Ford Foundation;
Director of Grow Group, Inc. (chemicals), MSI Inc. (medical
services) and Westbridge Capital, Inc. (insurance).
Edward R. Telling* Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly
Trustee Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Sears Tower (1978-1985) and President (from January 1981-March 1982 and from
Chicago, Illinois February 1984-August 1984) of Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sheldon Curtis Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of
Vice President, Secretary and InterCapital and DWSC; Senior Vice President and Secretary of DWTC
General Counsel (since October, 1989); Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary
Two World Trade Center and Assistant General Counsel of Dean Witter Distributors Inc.;
New York, New York Assistant Secretary of DWDC and DWR; Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
Thomas F. Caloia First Vice President (since May 1991) and Assistant Treasurer
Treasurer (since April, 1988) of InterCapital; First Vice President and
Two World Trade Center Assistant Treasurer of DWSC and Treasurer of the Dean Witter Funds
New York, New York and the TCW/DW Funds; previously Vice President of InterCapital.
<FN>
- ---------
*Denotes Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the
Act.
</TABLE>
In addition, Robert M. Scanlan, President of InterCapital, and David A.
Hughey and Edmund C. Puckhaber, Executive Vice Presidents of InterCapital, are
Vice Presidents of the Fund, and Barry Fink, First Vice President and Assistant
General Counsel of InterCapital, and Marilyn K. Cranney, Lawrence S. Lafer, Lou
Anne D. McInnis and Ruth Rossi, Vice Presidents and Assistant General Counsels
of InterCapital, are Assistant Secretaries of the Fund.
The Fund pays each Trustee who is not an employee or former employee of the
Investment Manager or an affiliated company an annual fee of $1,200 ($1,600
prior to December 31, 1993) plus $50 for each meeting of the Trustees, the Audit
Committee or the Committee of Independent Trustees attended by the Trustee in
person (the Fund pays the Chairman of the Audit Committee an additional annual
fee of $1,000 ($1,200 prior to December 31, 1993) and pays the Chairman of the
Committee of the Independent Trustees an 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. Effective January 1, 1994, the Fund has adopted a
10
<PAGE>
retirement program under which an Independent Trustee who retires after a
minimum required period of service would be entitled to retirement payments upon
reaching the eligible retirement age (normally, after attaining age 72) based
upon length of service and computed as a percentage of one-fifth of the total
compensation earned by such Trustee for service to the Fund in the five-year
period prior to the date of the Trustee's retirement. 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. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the aggregate
shares 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. For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1993, the Fund accrued a total of $20,295 for
Trustees' fees and expenses.
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in, among other
securities, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities. Such 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.
(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 30 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.
Neither the value nor the yield of the U.S. Government securities which may
be invested in by the Fund are 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 any U.S.
Government securities held by the Fund will fall. Such securities with longer
maturities generally tend to
11
<PAGE>
produce higher yields and are subject to greater market fluctuation as a result
of changes in interest rates than debt securities with shorter maturities. The
Fund is not limited as to the maturities of the U.S. Government securities in
which it may invest with respect to 35% of its total assets.
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES
A portion of the U.S. Government securities purchased by the Fund may be
"zero coupon" Treasury securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities
up to 5% of its total assets. Zero coupon Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury
bills, notes and bonds which have been stripped of their unmatured interest
coupons and receipts or which are certificates representing interests in such
stripped debt obligations and coupons. Such securities are purchased at a
discount from their face amount, giving the purchaser the right to receive their
full value at maturity. A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder
during its life. Its value to an investor consists of the difference between its
face value at the time of maturity and the price for which it was acquired,
which is generally an amount significantly less than its face value (sometimes
referred to as a "deep discount" price). To the extent the Fund invests in zero
coupon securities, it will not earn current cash income available for
distribution to shareholders. However, the Fund will invest in zero coupon
securities only when the Investment Manager and Sub-Advisor believe that there
will be cash in the Fund's portfolio representing return of principal on
portfolio securities of the Fund at least equal to the income on the zero coupon
securities. However, in order to distribute the accrued income from any zero
coupon securities, it may be necessary for the Fund to sell some of its
portfolio securities, which may occur at a time when the Fund would not
otherwise have chosen to sell such portfolio securities.
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 if
prevailing interest rates rise. For this reason, zero coupon securities are
subject to substantially greater market price fluctuations during periods of
changing prevailing interest rates than are comparable debt securities which
make current distributions of interest. 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.
Currently the only U.S. Treasury security issued without coupons is the
Treasury bill. However, a number of banks and brokerage firms have separated
("stripped") the principal portions from the coupon portions of the U.S.
Treasury bonds and notes and sold them separately in the form of receipts or
certificates representing undivided interests in these instruments (which
instruments are generally held by a bank in a custodial or trust account).
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Mortgage-Backed Securities purchased by
the Fund evidence an interest in a specific pool of mortgages. Such securities
are issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC.
GNMA CERTIFICATES. GNMA is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the
United States within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The
National Housing Act of 1934, as amended (the "Housing Act"), authorized GNMA to
guarantee the timely payment of the principal of and interest on certificates
that are based on and backed by a pool of mortgage loans insured by the Federal
Housing Administration under the Housing Act, or Title V of the Housing Act of
1949 ("FHA Loans"), or
12
<PAGE>
guaranteed by the Veterans' Administration under the Servicemen's Readjustment
Act of 1944, as amended ("VA Loans"), or by pools of other eligible mortgage
loans. The Housing Act provides that the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government is pledged to the payment of all amounts that may be required to be
paid under any guarantee. In order to meet its obligations under such guarantee,
GNMA is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury with no limitations as to
amount.
The GNMA Certificates will represent a pro rata interest in one or more
pools of the following types of mortgage loans; (i) fixed rate level payment
mortgage loans; (ii) fixed rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (iii) fixed
rate growing equity mortgage loans; (iv) fixed rate mortgage loans secured by
manufactured (mobile) homes; (v) mortgage loans on multifamily residential
properties under construction; (vi) mortgage loans on completed multifamily
projects; (vii) fixed rate mortgage loans as to which escrowed funds are used to
reduce the borrower's monthly payments during the early years of the mortgage
loans ("buydown" mortgage loans); (viii) mortgage loans that provide for
adjustments in payments based on periodic changes in interest rates or in other
payment terms of the mortgage loans; and (ix) mortgage-backed serial notes. All
of these mortgage loans will be FHA Loans or VA Loans and, except as otherwise
specified above, will be fully-amortizing loans secured by first liens on one-to
four-family housing units.
FNMA CERTIFICATES. FNMA is a federally chartered and privately owned
corporation organized and existing under the Federal National Mortgage
Association Charter Act. FNMA was originally established in 1938 as a U.S.
Government agency to provide supplemental liquidity to the mortgage market and
was transformed into a stockholder owned and privately managed corporation by
legislation enacted in 1968. FNMA provides funds to the mortgage market
primarily by purchasing home mortgage loans from local lenders, thereby
replenishing their funds for additional lending. FNMA acquires funds to purchase
home mortgage loans from many capital market investors that may not ordinarily
invest in mortgage loans directly, thereby expanding the total amount of funds
available for housing.
Each FNMA Certificate will entitle the registered holder thereof to receive
amounts representing such holder's pro rata interest in scheduled principal
payments and interest payments (at such FNMA Certificate's pass-through rate,
which is net of any servicing and guarantee fees on the underlying mortgage
loans), and any principal prepayments on the mortgage loans in the pool
represented by such FNMA Certificate and such holder's proportionate interest in
the full principal amount of any foreclosed or otherwise finally liquidated
mortgage loan. The full and timely payment of principal of and interest on each
FNMA Certificate will be guaranteed by FNMA, which guarantee is not backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Each FNMA Certificate will represent a pro rata interest in one or more
pools of FHA Loans, VA Loans or conventional mortgage loans (i.e., mortgage
loans that are not insured or guaranteed by any governmental agency) of the
following types: (i) fixed rate level payment mortgage loans; (ii) fixed rate
growing equity mortgage loans; (iii) fixed rate graduated payment mortgage
loans; (iv) variable rate California mortgage loans; (v) other adjustable rate
mortgage loans; and (vi) fixed rate mortgage loans secured by multifamily
projects.
FHLMC CERTIFICATES. FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United
States created pursuant to the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as amended
(the "FHLMC Act"). FHLMC was established primarily for the purpose of increasing
the availability of mortgage credit for the financing of needed
13
<PAGE>
housing. The principal activity of FHLMC currently consists of the purchase of
first lien, conventional, residential mortgage loans and participation interests
in such mortgage loans and the resale of the mortgage loans so purchased in the
form of mortgage securities, primarily FHLMC Certificates.
FHLMC guarantees to each registered holder of a FHLMC Certificate the timely
payment of interest at the rate provided for by such FHLMC Certificate, whether
or not received. FHLMC also guarantees to each registered holder of a FHLMC
Certificate ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans,
without any offset or deduction, but does not, generally, guarantee the timely
payment of scheduled principal. FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its
guarantee of collection of principal at any time after default on an underlying
mortgage loan, but not later than 30 days following (i) foreclosure sale, (ii)
payment of a claim by any mortgage insurer or (iii) the expiration of any right
of redemption, whichever occurs later, but in any event no later than one year
after demand has been made upon the mortgagor for accelerated payment of
principal. The obligations of FHLMC under its guarantee are obligations solely
of FHLMC and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
FHLMC Certificates represent a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage
loans (a "FHLMC Certificate group") purchased by FHLMC. The mortgage loans
underlying the FHLMC Certificates will consist of fixed rate or adjustable rate
mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of between ten and thirty years,
substantially all of which are secured by first liens on one-to four-family
residential properties or multifamily projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the
applicable standards set forth in the FHLMC Act. A FHLMC Certificate group may
include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans and undivided
interests in whole loans and participations comprising another FHLMC Certificate
group.
CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
As described in the Prospectus, the Fund may purchase corporate debt
securities rated Aaa by Moody's or AAA by S&P or, if unrated, deemed to be of
comparable quality by the Fund's Trustees. These debt securities may have
adjustable or fixed rates of interest and in certain instances may be secured by
assets of the issuer. Adjustable rate corporate debt securities, which the Fund
may purchase up to 5% of its total assets, may have features similar to those of
adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities, but corporate debt securities,
unlike Mortgage-Backed Securities, are not subject to prepayment risk other than
through contractual call provisions which generally impose a penalty for
prepayment. Fixed rate debt securities also may be subject to call provisions.
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in Municipal Obligations
(consisting of Municipal Bonds, Municipal Notes and Municipal Commercial Paper)
rated in the highest rating category by Moody's Investor Service, Inc.
("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"). The Municipal Obligations
in which the Fund may invest include "zero coupon" Municipal Obligations. Any
Municipal Obligation which depends directly or indirectly on the credit of the
United States Government shall be considered to have the highest rating by
Moody's and S&P.
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Notes are debt obligations of a state, its
cities, municipalities and municipal agencies which generally have maturities,
at the time of their issuance, of either one year or more (Bonds) or from six
months to three years (Notes). Municipal Commercial Paper consists of short-term
obligations of municipalities which may be issued at a discount and are
sometimes referred to as
14
<PAGE>
Short-Term Discount Notes. An obligation shall be considered a Municipal Bond,
Municipal Note or Municipal Commercial Paper only if, in the opinion of bond
counsel, the interest payable thereon is exempt from federal income tax.
The two principal classifications of Municipal Bonds, Notes and Commercial
Paper are "general obligation" and "revenue" bonds, notes or commercial paper.
General obligation bonds, notes or commercial paper are secured by the issuer's
pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and
interest. Issuers of general obligation bonds, notes or commercial paper include
a state, its counties, cities, towns and other governmental units. Revenue
bonds, notes or commercial paper are payable from the revenues derived from a
particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from specific
revenue sources. Revenue bonds, notes or commercial paper are issued for a wide
variety of purposes, including the financing of electric, gas, water and sewer
systems and other public utilities; industrial development and pollution control
facilities; single and multi-family housing units; public buildings and
facilities; air and marine ports, transportation facilities such as toll roads,
bridges and tunnels; and health and educational facilities such as hospitals and
dormitories. They rely primarily on user fees to pay debt service, although the
principal revenue source is often supplemented by additional security features
which are intended to enhance the creditworthiness of the issuer's obligations.
In some cases, particularly revenue bonds issued to finance housing and public
buildings, a direct or implied "moral obligation" of a governmental unit may be
pledged to the payment of debt service. In other cases, a special tax or other
charge may augment user fees.
Included within the revenue bonds category are participations in lease
obligations or installment purchase contracts (hereinafter collectively called
"lease obligations") of municipalities. State and local governments issue lease
obligations to acquire equipment and facilities.
Lease obligations may have risks not normally associated with general
obligation or other revenue bonds. Leases and installment purchase or
conditional sale contracts (which may provide for title to the leased asset to
pass eventually to the issuer) have developed as a means for governmental
issuers to acquire property and equipment without the necessity of complying
with the constitutional and statutory requirements generally applicable for the
issuance of debt. Certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses
that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future
payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such
purpose by the appropriate legislative body on an annual or other periodic
basis. Consequently, continued lease payments on those lease obligations
containing "non-appropriation" clauses are dependent on future legislative
actions. If such legislative actions do not occur, the holders of the lease
obligation may experience difficulty in exercising their rights, including
disposition of the property.
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 at least equal to the market value, determined daily,
of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues
to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time earning
interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in
short-term obligations. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such
loans are not permitted by the laws or
15
<PAGE>
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. The Fund did not lend any
of its portfolio securities during its fiscal year ended October 31, 1993.
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 Trust could use
the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for
any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any extensions of
credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially.
However, these loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed
by the Fund's management to be creditworthy and when the income which can be
earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. Upon termination of the
loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or
loss in the market price 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.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
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.
PURCHASING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS. As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may
purchase listed and OTC call and put options in amounts equalling up to 5% of
its total assets. 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.
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. 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
16
<PAGE>
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 and the Sub-Advisor.
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 and the Sub-Advisor
anticipate that interest rates may rise and, concomitantly, the price of U.S.
Government or other debt 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
or other debt securities the Fund intends to purchase. Subsequently, appropriate
U.S. Government or other debt 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.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in Mortgage-Backed
Securities, such as floating rate CMOs or adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed
Securities, which have interest rates subject to periodic adjustment based on
changes to a designated index. One index which may serve as such a benchmark is
the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR. In order for the Fund to hedge its
exposure to fluctuations in short-term interest rates for its portfolio
securities subject to the LIBOR rate, the Fund may purchase or sell futures
contracts on U.S. dollar denominated Eurodollar instruments linked to the LIBOR
rate.
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.
17
<PAGE>
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 2-3% 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 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, Eurodollar instruments, 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 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 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 and
the Sub-Advisor 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 purchase a put 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.
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")
18
<PAGE>
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.
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.
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, 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. 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, it
will hold cash, U.S. Government securities or other high grade debt obligations
equal to the purchase price of the contract (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
19
<PAGE>
contracts it holds at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. The inability
to close out options and futures positions could also have an adverse impact on
the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages in
transactions in futures or options thereon, the Fund could experience delays
and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker
and/or incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker.
Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with broker or financial
institutions deemed creditworthy by the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor.
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 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.
As stated in the Prospectus, there may exist an imperfect correlation
between the price movements of futures contracts purchased by the Fund and the
movements in the prices of the securities which are the subject of the hedge. If
participants in the futures market elect to close out their contracts through
offsetting transactions rather than meet margin deposit requirements,
distortions in the normal 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
20
<PAGE>
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.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
When cash may be available for only a few days, it may be invested by the
Fund in repurchase agreements until such time as it may otherwise be invested or
used for payments of obligations of the Fund. These agreements, which may be
viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund, typically involve the
acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a selling financial institution
such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The agreement
provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the
institution will repurchase, the underlying security ("collateral") at a
specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven
days from the date of purchase. The collateral will be maintained in a
segregated account and will be marked to market daily to determine that the
value of the collateral, as specified in the agreement, does not decrease below
the purchase price plus accrued interest. If such decrease occurs, additional
collateral will be requested and, when received, added to the account to
maintain full collateralization. The Fund will accrue interest from the
institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur. Although such date
is deemed by the Fund to be the maturity date of a repurchase agreement, the
maturities of securities subject to repurchase agreements are not subject to any
limits.
While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct
investment in debt securities, the Fund follows procedures designed to minimize
such risks. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with
large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions whose
financial condition will be continually monitored by the Investment Manager and
Sub-Advisor subject to procedures established by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund. In addition, as described above, the value of the collateral underlying
the repurchase agreement will be at least equal to the repurchase price,
including any accrued interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event
of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Fund will
seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the Fund's right
to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the
extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to
repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It
is the current policy of the Fund not to invest in repurchase agreements that do
not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other
illiquid assets held by the Fund, amounts to more than 10% of its total assets.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES
As discussed in the Prospectus, from time to time, in the ordinary course of
business, the Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery
basis -- i.e., delivery and payment can take place a month or more after the
date of the transactions. The securities so purchased are subject to market
fluctuation and no interest accrues to the purchaser during this period. 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. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase securities on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund will record the transaction and
thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such security in determining the net
asset value of the Fund. At the time of delivery of the securities, the value
may be more or less than the purchase price. The Fund will also establish a
segregated account
21
<PAGE>
with the Fund's custodian bank in which it will continuously maintain cash, U.S.
Government securities or other high grade debt portfolio securities equal in
value to commitments for such when-issued or delayed delivery securities;
subject to this requirement, the Fund may purchase securities on such basis
without limit. An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to
the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may
increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. The Investment Manager
and the Sub-Advisor and the Board of Trustees do not believe that the Fund's net
asset value or income will be adversely affected by its purchase of securities
on such basis.
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 opinions of the Investment
Manager and the Sub-Advisor, strengthen the Fund's position and contribute to
its investment objective. As a result of the Fund's investment objective and
policies, and the nature of the Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-Backed
Securities markets, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may exceed 200%. During
the fiscal years ended October 31, 1993 and 1992, the Fund's portfolio turnover
rates were 412% and 254%, respectively.
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.
The Fund may not:
1. Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein (including limited
partnership interests), although the Fund may purchase securities of issuers
which engage in real estate operations and securities secured by real estate
or interests therein.
2. 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.
3. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of
assets. For this purpose, Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-Backed
Securities are not deemed to be investment companies.
4. 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 or dollar roll; (b) borrowing
money or other leveraging; or (c) purchasing any securities on a when-
issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis.
5. Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of
portfolio securities in which the Fund may invest consistent with its
investment objective and policies; (b) by investment in repurchase or
reverse purchase agreements; or (c) by lending its portfolio securities.
22
<PAGE>
6. 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.
7. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of any
other issuer.
8. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position.
9. Invest in securities of any issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund,
any officer or trustee of the Fund, or any officer, director or partner of
the Investment Manager or Sub-Advisor owns more than 1/2 of 1% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and such officers, trustees
and directors who own more than 1/2 of 1% own in the aggregate more than 5%
of the outstanding voting securities of such issuers.
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 and the Sub-Advisor are 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 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 effected through a broker and a commission will be
charged. During the fiscal years ended October 31, 1993 and 1992 and for the
fiscal period from July 1, 1991 through October 31, 1991, the Fund did not pay
any brokerage commissions.
The Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor currently serve 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 and the Sub-Advisor 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 and the
Sub-Advisor effect transactions with those brokers and dealers who the
Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor believe provide the most favorable prices
and are capable of providing efficient executions. If the Investment Manager or
the Sub-Advisor 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
23
<PAGE>
and/or the Sub-Advisor. Such services may include, but are not limited to, any
one or more of the following: information as to the availability of securities
for purchase or sale; statistical or factual information or opinions pertaining
to investment; wire services; and appraisals or evaluations of portfolio
securities.
The information and services received by the Investment Manager and the
Sub-Advisor from brokers and dealers may be of benefit to the Investment Manager
and the Sub-Advisor 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 the Sub-Advisor and thereby reduce its expenses, it is of indeterminable
value and the fees paid to the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor are 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. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1992, the Fund did
not effect any principal transactions with DWR.
Consistent with the policy described above, brokerage transactions in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may be
effected through DWR. In order for DWR to effect portfolio transactions for the
Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by DWR must be
reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration paid
to other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar
securities being purchased or sold on an exchange during a comparable period of
time. This standard would allow DWR to receive no more than the remuneration
which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a
commensurate arm's-length transaction. Furthermore, the Trustees of the Fund,
including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested" Trustees, have
adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any
commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to DWR are consistent with the
foregoing standard.
THE 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, a
Distribution Agreement appointing the Distributor exclusive distributor of the
Fund's shares which Agreement provided for the Distributor to bear distribution
expenses not borne by the Fund. At the same meeting, the Trustees of the Fund,
including all of the Independent Trustees, approved a new Distribution Agreement
between the Fund and the Distributor, which took effect on June 30, 1993 upon
the spin-off by Sears,
24
<PAGE>
Roebuck and Co. of its remaining shares of DWDC. The new Distribution Agreement
is substantively identical to the current Distribution Agreement in all material
respects, except for the dates of effectiveness. By its terms, the Distribution
Agreement has an initial term ending April 30, 1994, and provides that it will
remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved by the Board.
The Distributor bears all expenses it may incur in providing services under
the Distribution Agreement. Such expenses include the payment of commissions for
sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to account executives. The
Distributor also pays certain expenses in connection with the distribution of
the Fund's shares, including the costs of preparing, printing and distributing
advertising or promotional materials, and the costs of printing and distributing
prospectuses and supplements thereto used in connection with the offering and
sale of the Fund's shares. The Fund bears the costs of initial typesetting,
printing and distribution of prospectuses and supplements thereto to
shareholders. The Fund also bears the costs of registering the Fund and its
shares under federal and state securities laws. The Fund and the Distributor
have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under the Distribution
Agreement, the Distributor uses its best efforts in rendering services to the
Fund, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is not liable to the Fund
or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for
any act or omission or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its shareholders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act (the "Plan"). The Plan was approved by the Trustees on April 16, 1991, and
by DWR as the Fund's then sole shareholder on May 15, 1991 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 June 29, 1992. The vote of the Trustees, which was cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan, included a majority of
the Trustees who are not and were not at the time of their voting interested
persons of the Fund and who have and had at the time of their votes no direct or
indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan (the "Independent 12b-1
Trustees"). In making their decision to adopt the Plan, the Trustees requested
from DWR and received such information as they deemed necessary to make an
informed determination as to whether or not adoption of the Plan was in the best
interests of the shareholders of the Fund. After due consideration of the
information received, the Trustees, including the Independent 12b-1 Trustees,
determined that adoption of the Plan would benefit the shareholders of the Fund.
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.
The Fund is authorized to reimburse the Distributor for specific expenses
the distributor incurs or plans to incur in promoting the distribution of the
Fund's shares. Reimbursement is made through
25
<PAGE>
monthly payments in amounts determined in advance of each fiscal quarter by the
Trustees, including a majority of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees. The amount of
each monthly payment may in no event exceed an amount equal to a payment at the
annual rate of 0.20 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the shares of the
Fund during the month. Such payment is treated by the Fund as an expense in the
year it is accrued. No interest or other financing charges will be incurred by
the Distributor for which reimbursement payments under the Plan will be made. In
addition, no interest charges, if any, incurred on any distribution expense
incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Plan, will be reimbursable under the
Plan.
The Distributor has informed the Fund that the fee payable by the Fund each
year pursuant to the Plan not to exceed 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 Distributor
is a member). The fee is a payment made for personal service and/or the
maintenance of shareholder accounts.
Under the Plan, the Distributor uses its best efforts in rendering services
to the Fund, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is not
liable to the Fund or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment or
mistake of law or for any act or omission or for any losses sustained by the
Fund or its shareholders.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1993, the Fund paid a total of
$251,868 pursuant to the Plan. Such payment amounted to an annual rate of 0.19
of 1% of the Fund's average daily net assets for such fiscal period. It is
estimated that the amount paid by the Fund for distribution was for expenses
which relate to compensation of sales personnel and associated overhead
expenses. The Distributor has informed the Fund that it received sales charges
on sales of the Fund's shares in the approximate amounts of $4,162,000,
$1,291,000 and $224,000 for the period July 1, 1991 through October 31, 1991
(commencement of operations) and for the fiscal years ended 1992 and 1993,
respectively.
The Plan has an initial term which ended April 30, 1992, and provides that
from year to year thereafter it will continue in effect, provided such
continuance is approved annually by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority
of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees. Most recent continuance of the Plan for one
year, until April 30, 1994, 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 28, 1993. At that meeting, the Trustees, including a majority of the
Independent 12b-1 Trustees, also approved certain technical amendments to the
Plan in connection with recent amendments adopted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. to its Rules of Fair Practice. 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 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. An amendment to increase materially the maximum amount
authorized to be spent under the Plan and Agreement on behalf
26
<PAGE>
of the Fund must be approved by the shareholders of the Fund, and all material
amendments to the Plan must be approved by the Trustees in the manner described
above. The Plan may be terminated on behalf of the Fund at any time, without
payment of any penalty, by vote of the holders 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 30 days written notice to
any other party to the Plan. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection or
nomination of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees is committed to the discretion of
the Independent 12b-1 Trustees.
Under the Plan, the Distributor provides the Fund, for review by the
Trustees, and the Trustees review, promptly after the end of each fiscal
quarter, a written report regarding the incremental distribution expenses
incurred by the Distributor on behalf of the Fund during such fiscal quarter,
which report includes (1) an itemization of the types of expenses and the
purposes therefor; (2) the amounts of such expenses; and (3) a description of
the benefits derived by the Fund. In the Trustees' quarterly review of the Plan
they consider its continued appropriateness and the level of compensation
provided therein.
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, had any direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Plan except to the extent that the
Investment Manager or certain of its 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.
REDUCED SALES CHARGE
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION. As discussed in the Prospectus, investors may
combine the current value of shares purchased in separate transactions for
purposes of benefitting from the reduced sales charges available for purchases
of shares of the Fund totalling at least $100,000 in net asset value. For
example, if any person or entity who qualifies for this privilege holds shares
of the Fund having a current value of $25,000 and purchases $75,000 of
additional shares of the Fund, the sales charge applicable to the $75,000
purchase would be 2.50% of the offering price.
The Distributor must be notified by the dealer or the shareholder at the
time a purchase order is placed that the purchase qualifies for the reduced
charge under the Right of Accumulation. Similar notification must be made in
writing by the dealer or shareholder when such an order is placed by mail. The
reduced sales charge will not be granted if: (a) such notification is not
furnished at the time of the order; or (b) a review of the records of the
Distributor or Dean Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent") fails to confirm
the investor's represented holdings.
LETTER OF INTENT. As discussed in the prospectus under the caption "Reduced
Sales Charges," reduced sales charges are available to investors who enter into
a written Letter of Intent providing for the purchase, within a thirteen-month
period, of shares of the Fund from the Distributor or from a single dealer which
has entered into a Selected Dealer Agreement with the Distributor.
A Letter of Intent permits an investor to establish a total investment goal
to be achieved by any number of purchases over a thirteen-month period. Each
purchase made during the period will receive the reduced sales commission
applicable to the amount represented by the goal, as if it were a single
purchase. A number of shares equal in value to 5% of the dollar amount of the
Letter of Intent will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent, in the name of
the shareholder. The initial purchase under a Letter of Intent must be equal to
at least 5% of the stated investment goal.
27
<PAGE>
The Letter of Intent does not obligate the Investor to purchase, nor the
Fund to sell, the indicated amount. In the event the Letter of Intent goal is
not achieved within the thirteen-month period, the investor is required to pay
the difference between the sales charge otherwise applicable to the purchases
made during this period and sales charges actually paid. Such payment may be
made directly to the Distributor or, if not paid, the Distributor is authorized
by the shareholder to liquidate a sufficient number of his or her escrowed
shares to obtain such difference.
If the goal is exceeded and purchases pass the next sales charge level, the
sales charge on the entire amount of the purchase that results in passing that
level and on subsequent purchases will be subject to further reduced sales
charges in the same manner as set forth above under RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION, but
there will be no retroactive reduction of sales charges on previous purchases.
At any time while a Letter of Intent is in effect, a shareholder may, by
written notice to the Distributor, increase the amount of the stated goal. In
that event, only shares purchased during the previous 90-day period and still
owned by the shareholder will be included in the new sales charge reduction. The
5% escrow and minimum purchase requirements will be applicable to the new stated
goal. Investors electing to purchase shares of the Fund pursuant to a Letter of
Intent should carefully read such Letter of Intent.
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.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00
p.m., New York time on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open by
taking the value of all assets of the Fund, subtracting its liabilities,
dividing by the number of shares outstanding and adjusting to the nearest cent.
The New York Stock Exchange currently observes the following holidays: New
Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
28
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon the purchase of shares of the Fund, a Shareholder Investment Account is
opened for the investor on the books of the Fund and maintained by Dean Witter
Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent"). This is an open account in which shares
owned by the investor are credited by the Transfer Agent in lieu of issuance of
a 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 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 another selected
broker-dealer.
INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN CASH. Any shareholder
who receives a cash payment representing a dividend or distribution may invest
such dividend or distribution at the net asset value next determined after
receipt by the Transfer Agent, without the imposition of a sales charge, by
returning the check or the proceeds to the Transfer Agent within thirty days
after the payment date. If the shareholder returns the proceeds of a dividend or
distribution, such funds must be accompanied by a signed statement indicating
that the proceeds constitute a dividend or distribution to be invested. Such
investment will be made at the net asset value per share next determined after
receipt of the check or proceeds by the Transfer Agent.
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 offering price.
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.
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 within five business days after the date of redemption.
The Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by the Fund.
Withdrawal plan payments should not be considered as dividends, yields or
income. If periodic withdrawal plan payments continuously exceed net investment
income and net capital gains, the shareholder's original investment will be
correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.
Each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares and any gain or loss
realized must be recognized for federal income tax purposes. Although the
shareholder may make additional investments of $2,500 or more under the
Systematic Withdrawal Plan, withdrawals made concurrently with purchases of
additional shares are inadvisable because of the sales charges applicable to the
purchase of additional shares.
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
29
<PAGE>
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 by
sending a check in any amount, not less than $100, payable to Dean Witter
Premier Income Trust, directly to the Fund's Transfer Agent. Such amounts will
be applied to the purchase of Fund shares at the net asset value per share next
computed after receipt of the check or purchase payment by the Transfer Agent.
The shares so purchased will be credited to the investor's account.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund makes
available to its shareholders an Exchange Privilege whereby shareholders of the
Fund may exchange their shares for shares of other Dean Witter FESC Funds, for
shares of Dean Witter 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 and five Dean Witter Funds which are money market funds (the foregoing
eight non-CDSC funds are hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Funds").
Exchanges may be made after the shares of the CDSC fund or FESC fund acquired by
purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been held for thirty
days. There is no holding period for exchanges of shares acquired by exchange or
dividend reinvestment. However, shares of CDSC funds, including shares acquired
in exchange for shares of FESC funds, may not be exchanged for shares of FESC
funds. Thus, shareholders who exchange their Fund shares for shares of CDSC
funds may subsequently exchange those shares for shares of other CDSC funds or
Exchange Funds but may not reacquire FESC fund shares by exchange. An exchange
will be treated for federal income tax purposes the same as a repurchase or
redemption of shares, on which the shareholder may realize a capital gain or
loss.
Any new account established through the Exchange Privilege will have the
same registration and cash dividend or dividend reinvestment plan as the present
account, unless the Transfer Agent receives written notification to the
contrary. For telephone exchanges, the exact registration of the existing
account and the account number must be provided.
Any shares held in certificate form cannot be exchanged but must be
forwarded to the Transfer Agent and deposited into the shareholder's account
before being eligible for exchange. (Certificates mailed in for deposit should
not be endorsed).
The Transfer Agent acts as agent for shareholders of the Fund in effecting
redemptions of Fund shares and in applying the proceeds to the purchase of other
fund shares. In the absence of negligence on its part, neither the Transfer
Agent nor the Fund shall be liable for any redemption of Fund shares caused by
unauthorized telephone instructions. Accordingly, in such event, the investor
shall bear the risk of loss. The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
is currently considering the propriety of such a policy.
30
<PAGE>
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-dealer for any
transactions pursuant to this Exchange Privilege.
Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and any other
conditions imposed by each fund. (The minimum initial investment is $5,000 for
Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust,
Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust and Dean Witter California
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust although those funds may, at their discretion,
accept initial investments of as low as $1,000. The minimum initial investment
for Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust is $10,000, although that fund,
in its discretion, may accept initial investments of as low as $5,000. The
minimum initial investment for all other Dean Witter Funds for which the
Exchange Privilege is available is $1,000.) Upon exchange into an Exchange Fund,
the shares of that fund will be held in a special Exchange Privilege Account
separately from accounts of those shareholders who 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 notice for
termination or material revision), provided that six months' prior written
notice of termination will be given to the shareholders who hold shares of 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(s), policies and restrictions.
The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain a copy and examine it carefully
before investing. An exchange will be treated for federal income tax purposes
the same as a repurchase or redemption of shares, on which the shareholder may
realize a capital gain or loss. However, the ability to deduct capital losses on
an
31
<PAGE>
exchange may be limited in situations where there is an exchange of shares
within ninety days after the shares are purchased. The Exchange Privilege is
only available in states where an exchange may legally be made.
For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 for the certificate and/or
written request in good order. The term good order means that the share
certificate, if any, and request for redemption are properly signed, accompanied
by any documentation required by the Transfer Agent, and bear signature
guarantees when required by the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Such payment may be
postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends and holidays, (b)
when trading on that Exchange is restricted, (c) when an emergency exists as a
result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine
the value of its net assets, or (d) during any other period when the Securities
and Exchange Commission by order so permits; provided that applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as to whether
the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist. If the shares to be redeemed have
recently been purchased by check (including a certified or bank cashier's
check), payment of redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time
needed to verify that the check used for investment has been honored (not more
than fifteen days from the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent).
Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another selected
broker-dealer are referred to their account executive regarding restrictions on
redemption of shares of the Fund pledged in the margin accounts.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. As described in the Prospectus, a shareholder who
has had his or her shares redeemed or repurchased and has not previously
exercised this reinstatement privilege may, within 30 days after the date of
redemption or repurchase, reinstate any portion of all of the proceeds of such
redemption or repurchase in shares of the Fund at the net asset value (without
sales charge) next determined after a reinstatement request, together with such
proceeds, is received by the Transfer Agent.
Exercise of the reinstatement privilege will not affect the federal income
tax treatment of any gain or loss realized upon the redemption or repurchase,
except that if the redemption or repurchase resulted in a loss and reinstatement
is made in shares of the Fund, some or all of the loss, depending on the amount
reinstated, will not be allowed as a deduction for federal income tax purposes
but will be applied to adjust the cost basis of the shares acquired upon
reinstatement.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. As described in the Prospectus, due to the
relatively high cost of handling small investments, the Fund reserves the right
to redeem, at net asset value, the shares of any shareholder whose shares have a
value of less than $100, or such lesser amount as may be fixed by the Board of
Trustees. However, before the Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to
the shareholder,
32
<PAGE>
it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares is less than $100
and allow him or her 60 days to make an additional investment in an amount which
will increase the value of his or her account to $100 or more before the
redemption is processed.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 such undistributed gains in
determining their taxable income and may claim their share of the tax paid by
the Fund as a credit against their individual federal income tax.
Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income and
capital gains to shareholders and otherwise continue to qualify as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, it is not
expected that the Fund will be required to pay any federal income tax.
Shareholders will normally have to pay federal income taxes, and any state
income taxes, on the dividends and distributions they receive from the Fund.
Such dividends and distributions, to the extent that they are derived from net
investment income or short-term capital gains, are taxable to the shareholder as
ordinary income regardless of whether the shareholder receives such payments in
additional shares or in cash. Any dividends declared in the last quarter of any
year which are paid in the following year prior to February 1 will be deemed
received by the shareholder in the prior year.
Gains or losses on the sales of securities by the Fund generally will be
long-term capital gains or losses if the securities have been held by the Fund
for more than twelve months. Gains or losses on the sale of securities held for
twelve months or less will be short-term capital gains or losses.
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.
At October 31, 1993 the Fund had net capital loss carryovers of
approximately $5,235,000 which will be available through October 31, 2001 to
offset net realized gains, to the extent provided by regulations.
One of the requirements for the Fund to remain qualified as a regulated
investment company is that less than 30% of the 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 cash payments by virtue of holding fixed-income securities,
including Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and will recognize income
attributable to it from holding original issue discount securities, including
zero coupon Treasury securities. Current federal tax law requires that a holder
(such as the Fund) of an original issue discount security accrue a portion of
the discount at which the security was purchased as income each
33
<PAGE>
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 original issue discount 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 the
liquidation of portfolio securities if necessary. If a distribution of 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 amortize premiums or
accrue discounts on fixed-income securities in the portfolio. 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.
The straddle rules of Section 1092 of the Internal Revenue Code where
applicable (i) require the Fund to defer losses incurred on certain transactions
involving securities, options and futures contracts, (ii) may affect the Fund's
holding period on the asset underlying an option or futures contract and (iii)
in certain instances, may convert a short-term capital loss to a long-term
capital loss.
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 Internal Revenue Code. Section 1256 contracts are required
to be marked-to-market at the end of the Fund's fiscal year, for purpose of
Federal income tax calculations. The character of gain or loss resulting from
the sale, disposition, closing out, expiration, other termination or
mark-to-market 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.
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 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,
generally 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.
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, any portion
taxable as long-term capital gains and any portion treated as a non-taxable
return of
34
<PAGE>
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 should consult their attorneys or tax advisers regarding
specific questions as to state or local taxes and as to the applicability of the
foregoing to their current federal tax situation.
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 maximum offering price 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, 1993, the Fund's yield, calculated pursuant to this
formula, was 6.54%.
The Fund's "average annual total return" represents an annualization of the
Fund's total return over a particular period and is computed by finding the
annual percentage rate which will result in the ending redeemable value of a
hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of a one, five or ten year
period, or for the period from the date of commencement of the Fund's
operations, if shorter than any of the foregoing. For the purpose of this
calculation, it is assumed that all dividends and distributions are reinvested.
The formula for computing the average annual total return involves a percentage
obtained by dividing the ending redeemable value by the amount of the initial
investment, taking a root of the quotient (where the root is equivalent to the
number of years in the period) and subtracting 1 from the result. The average
annual total returns of the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1993 and
for the period from July 1, 1991 (commencement of operations) through October
31, 1993 were -0.21% and 4.85%, respectively.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or other
types of total return figures. Such calculation may or may not reflect the
imposition of the maximum front end sales charge. In addition, the Fund may also
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 by the initial $1,000
investment and subtracting 1 from the result. Based on this calculation, the
average annual total return of the Fund, excluding the imposition of the
front-end sales charge, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1993 and for the
period from July 1, 1991 through October 31, 1993 were 2.87% and 6.22%,
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
35
<PAGE>
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 by the initial $1,000 investment and subtracting 1 from the result.
Based on the foregoing calculation, the Fund's total return for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1993 and for the period from July 1, 1991 through October 31,
1993 were -0.21% and 11.69%, 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 adjusted for 3.0%
sales charge) 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 $11,169, $55,843 and $111,686, respectively, at October 31, 1993.
The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent organizations.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full share
held. The Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of the Fund. 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 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 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.
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/her or its duties. It also provides that all third persons shall look
solely to the Fund's property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection
with the affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of
Trust provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent is entitled to be
indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Fund.
36
<PAGE>
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.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bank of New York, 110 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; 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 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 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,
independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
37
<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.
38
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT (IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS) RATE DATES VALUE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES (67.5%)
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORP. PC GOLD
$ 1,975............................................................. 8.50% 7/01/06 $ 2,086,842
1,633............................................................. 9.00 1/01/24 1,733,355
5,227............................................................. 9.00 5/01/06 5,575,980
------------
9,396,177
------------
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORP. PC
6,396 ++.......................................................... 7.375 3/01/06 6,636,211
2,282............................................................. 7.75 8/01/08 2,376,406
2,758............................................................. 9.00 4/01/03 2,896,573
------------
11,909,190
------------
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOC.
1,796............................................................. 8.00 11/01/98 1,868,911
3,368++........................................................... 8.00 6/01/14 3,537,457
2,620............................................................. 11.00 8/01/06 2,818,367
------------
8,224,735
------------
GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOC.
7,752............................................................. 5.00+ 9/20/23 7,955,167
6,335............................................................. 5.50+ 10/20/22 6,513,335
7,724............................................................. 6.00+ 9/20/22 7,957,687
------------
22,426,189
------------
GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOC.
4,429............................................................. 7.25 11/15/04-4/15/06 4,683,539
4,000............................................................. 8.00 * 4,267,520
------------
8,951,059
------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY MORTGAGE
PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES
(IDENTIFIED COST $58,410,771) 60,907,350
------------
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS (28.6%)
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORP. 1584 FB
4,996............................................................... 2.875+ 9/15/23 5,270,513
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOC. 1993-19E ++
5,000............................................................... 5.00 3/25/17 4,912,500
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOC. 1993-25C ++
5,000............................................................... 5.00 1/25/17 4,909,589
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORP. 1288 A
3,448............................................................... 5.10 11/15/02 3,456,227
FIRST BOSTON MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. 1993-M1
1,996............................................................... 6.013+ 9/25/06 2,025,222
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORP. 1333-F
5,104............................................................... 6.50 7/15/22 5,178,387
RESIDENTIAL FUNDING CORP. 1992-S2 CLASS A17 (TAC I/O)
2................................................................ 16856.861+ 1/25/22 64,544
------------
TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
(IDENTIFIED COST $30,539,677) 25,816,982
------------
</TABLE>
39
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1993 (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT (IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS) RATE DATES VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------ -------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CORPORATE BOND (3.4%)
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(Identified Cost $2,970,334)
$ 3,650.................................................... 0.00+% 8/07/97 $ 3,037,530
-----------
ASSET-BACKED SECURITY (3.3%)
Peoples Bank Credit Card Master Trust 1993-1
(Identified Cost $2,997,656)
3,000................................................... 4.80 12/15/98 3,008,438
-----------
102.8% 92,770,300
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (IDENTIFIED COST $94,918,438)(A)..................
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF CASH AND OTHER ASSETS...................... (2.8) (2,510,096)
-------- -----------
NET ASSETS.......................................................... 100.0% $90,260,204
-------- -----------
-------- -----------
<FN>
- ---------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
I/O -- INTEREST ONLY SECURITY
PC --PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATE
TAC --TARGETED AMORTIZATION CLASS
* SECURITIES PURCHASED ON A FORWARD COMMITMENT BASIS WITH AN APPROXIMATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AND NO
DEFINITE MATURITY DATE; THE ACTUAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AND MATURITY DATE WILL BE DETERMINED UPON
SETTLEMENT.
+ FLOATING RATE SECURITIES. RATE SHOWN IS THE RATE IN EFFECT AT OCTOBER 31, 1993.
++ SOME OR ALL OF THESE SECURITIES ARE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.
(A) THE AGGREGATE COST OF INVESTMENTS FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES IS $94,918,438; THE AGGREGATE
GROSS UNREALIZED APPRECIATION IS $1,457,141 AND THE AGGREGATE GROSS UNREALIZED DEPRECIATION IS
$3,605,279, RESULTING IN NET DEPRECIATION OF $2,148,138.
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
40
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
OCTOBER 31, 1993
- --------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $94,918,438) (Note 1)......................... $ 92,770,300
Cash............................................................. 17,023
Receivable for:
Investments sold............................................... 41,359,018
Interest....................................................... 730,025
Principal paydowns............................................. 487,226
Shares of beneficial interest sold............................. 11,468
Deferred organizational expenses (Note 1)........................ 79,886
Prepaid expenses and other receivables........................... 215,090
-------------
TOTAL ASSETS............................................... 135,670,036
-------------
LIABILITIES:
Reverse repurchase and dollar roll agreements (Note 6)........... 16,063,333
Payable for:
Investments purchased.......................................... 28,708,501
Shares of beneficial interest repurchased...................... 384,558
Dividends to shareholders...................................... 32,139
Investment management fee (Note 2)............................... 41,749
Plan of distribution fee (Note 3)................................ 16,699
Accrued expenses and other payables (Note 4)..................... 162,853
-------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES.......................................... 45,409,832
-------------
NET ASSETS:
Paid in capital.................................................. 96,334,183
Accumulated net realized loss on investments..................... (5,234,397)
Net unrealized depreciation on investments....................... (2,148,138)
Accumulated undistributed net investment income.................. 1,308,556
-------------
NET ASSETS................................................. $ 90,260,204
-------------
-------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE, (9,832,273 shares outstanding;
unlimited shares authorized of $.01 par value)................. $9.18
-------------
-------------
MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE (net asset value plus 3.09% of
net asset value)*.............................................. $9.46
-------------
-------------
</TABLE>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1993
- --------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME........................................... $ 11,752,328
---------------
EXPENSES
Investment management fee (Note 2)...................... 657,860
Plan of distribution fee (Note 3)....................... 251,868
Professional fees....................................... 103,445
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)............... 61,373
Shareholder reports and notices......................... 51,934
Registration fees....................................... 37,688
Custody fees............................................ 30,431
Organizational expenses (Note 1)........................ 29,967
Trustees' fees and expenses............................. 20,295
Other................................................... 9,569
---------------
1,254,430
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES..........................
Interest expense from reverse repurchase agreements
(Note 6)............................................... 862,962
---------------
TOTAL EXPENSES.................................... 2,117,392
---------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME........................... 9,634,936
---------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
(NOTE 1):
Net realized loss on investments........................ (5,234,554)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments.... 397,575
---------------
NET LOSS ON INVESTMENTS........................... (4,836,979)
---------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
OPERATIONS..................................... $ 4,797,957
---------------
---------------
<FN>
- -------------
* On sales of $100,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.
</TABLE>
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR
ENDED ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1993 OCTOBER 31, 1992
----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
Operations:
Net investment income............... $ 9,634,936 $ 10,189,640
Net realized (loss) gain on
investments........................ (5,234,554) 3,139,374
Net change in unrealized
depreciation/appreciation on
investments........................ 397,575 (6,463,853)
----------------- ----------------
Net increase in net assets
resulting from operations......... 4,797,957 6,865,161
----------------- ----------------
Dividends and distributions to
shareholders from:
Net investment income............... (8,326,380) (10,246,315)
Net realized gain on investments.... (2,813,443) (705,315)
----------------- ----------------
(11,139,823) (10,951,630)
----------------- ----------------
Net (decrease) increase from
transactions in shares of beneficial
interest (Note 5).................... (58,257,655) 26,726,857
----------------- ----------------
Total (decrease) increase....... (64,599,521) 22,640,388
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period................... 154,859,725 132,219,337
----------------- ----------------
END OF PERIOD (including undistributed
net investment income of $1,308,556
and $0, respectively)................. $ 90,260,204 $ 154,859,725
----------------- ----------------
----------------- ----------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
41
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net investment income................................................................ $ 9,634,936
Adjustments to reconcile net investment income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Decrease in receivables and other assets related to operations..................... 688,776
Increase in payables related to operations......................................... 90,324
Net amortization of discount/premium............................................... 940,139
-------------
Net cash from operating activities............................................... 11,354,175
-------------
Cash Flows provided by Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments............................................................. (657,783,041)
Principal prepayments/sales of investments........................................... 736,865,293
Net sales/maturities of short-term investments....................................... 9,053,192
-------------
Net cash provided by investing activities........................................ 88,135,444
-------------
Cash Flows used for Financing Activities:
Shares of beneficial interest sold................................................... 31,204,346
Shares of beneficial interest repurchased............................................ (93,806,277)
Net proceeds from issuance of reverse repurchase and dollar roll agreements.......... (32,920,203)
-------------
(95,522,134)
Dividends and distributions to shareholders (net of reinvestments of $7,199,190) (3,968,373)
-------------
Net cash used for financing activities........................................... (99,490,507)
-------------
Net decrease in cash................................................................... (888)
Cash at beginning of year.............................................................. 17,911
-------------
CASH AT END OF YEAR.................................................................... $ 17,023
-------------
-------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
42
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. It was
organized on March 27, 1991 as a Massachusetts business trust and on May 15,
1991 issued 10,420 shares of beneficial interest for $100,032 to Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Manager, to effect the Fund's
initial capitalization. The Fund commenced operations on July 1, 1991.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies:
A. VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS -- (1) an equity portfolio security listed or
traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange is valued at its latest
sale price on that exchange (if there were no sales that day, the security
is valued at the closing bid price); (2) 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; (3) 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 Fund's Trustees (valuation of debt 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). Certain of
the Fund's portfolio securities for which reliable market quotations are
generally not readily available may be valued by an outside pricing service
approved by the Fund's Trustees. The pricing service utilizes a computerized
grid matrix and/or research and evaluations by its staff in determining what
it believes is the fair value of the portfolio securities valued by such
pricing service; and (4) short-term securities having a maturity date of
more than 60 days are valued on a "mark-to-market" basis, that is, at prices
based on market quotations for securities of similar type, yield, quality
and maturity, until 60 days prior to maturity and thereafter at amortized
value based on the value on the 61st day to maturity. Short-term securities
having a maturity date of 60 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). In computing net
investment income, the Fund amortizes premiums and accrues discounts on
fixed income securities in the portfolio. Realized gains and losses on
security transactions are determined on the identified cost method. Interest
income is accrued daily.
C. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required.
D. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS -- The Fund records
dividends and distributions to its shareholders on the record date.
E. ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES -- The Fund has reimbursed the Investment
Manager, hereafter defined, for $150,000 of organizational expenses. The
reimbursed expenses have been deferred and are being amortized by the Fund
on the straight-line method over a period of five years from the
commencement of operations.
F. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS -- The Fund's custodian takes possession on behalf
of the Fund of the collateral pledged for investments in repurchase
agreements. It is the policy of the Fund to value the underlying collateral
daily on a mark-to-market basis to determine that the value, including
43
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
accrued interest, is at least equal to the repurchase price plus accrued
interest. In the event of default of the obligation to repurchase, the Fund
has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in
satisfaction of the obligation.
2. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS -- Pursuant to an
Investment Management Agreement with Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. (the
"Investment Manager"), formerly the InterCapital Division of Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc., the Fund pays its Investment Manager a management fee accrued
daily and payable monthly by applying the annual rate of .50% to the net assets
of the Fund determined as of the close of each business day.
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 office space and 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.
Under a Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Financial Management L.P.,
(the "Sub-Advisor") and the Investment Manager, the Sub-Advisor provides the
Fund with investment advice and portfolio management relating to the Fund's
investment in securities, subject to the overall supervision of the Investment
Manager. As compensation for its services provided pursuant to the Sub-Advisory
Agreement, the Investment Manager pays the Sub-Advisor monthly compensation
equal to 40% of its monthly compensation.
3. PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION -- Shares of beneficial interest of the
Fund are distributed by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an
affiliate of the Investment Manager. Previously the shares were distributed by
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), also an affiliate of the Investment Manager,
exclusively through its own sales organization. The Fund has entered into a Plan
and Agreement of Distribution (the "Plan"), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act, with the Distributor whereby the Distributor finances certain activities in
connection with the distribution of shares of the Fund.
Under the Plan, the Distributor bears the expense of all promotional and
distribution related activities on behalf of the Fund, except for expenses that
the Trustees determine to reimburse as described below. The following activities
and services may be provided by the Distributor under the Plan: (1) compensation
to sales representatives of DWR and other broker-dealers; (2) sales incentives
and bonuses to sales representatives and to marketing personnel in connection
with promoting sales of the Fund's shares; (3) expenses incurred in connection
with promoting sales of the Fund's shares; (4) preparing and distributing sales
literature; and (5) providing advertising and promotional activities, including
direct mail solicitation and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other
media advertisements.
The Fund is authorized to reimburse the Distributor for specific expenses
the Distributor incurs or plans to incur in promoting the distribution of the
Fund's shares. The amount of each monthly reimbursement payment may in no event
exceed an amount equal to payment at the annual rate of .20% of the Fund's
average daily net assets during the month. For the year ended October 31, 1993,
the distribution fee accrued was at the annual rate of .20%.
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., the Fund's principal underwriter, has informed
the Fund that it received approximately $224,000 in commissions from the sale of
the Fund's shares of beneficial interest. Such commissions are not an expense of
the Fund; they are deducted from the proceeds of sales of shares of beneficial
interest.
44
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES -- The cost of
purchases and the proceeds from sales/prepayments of securities for the year
ended October 31, 1993, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES/
PURCHASES PREPAYMENTS
---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
U.S. Government Agencies and Obligations.................. $ 588,089,710 $ 664,184,674
Non Government CMOs....................................... 34,470,783 32,465,377
Asset-Backed Securities................................... 33,787,500 57,043,880
</TABLE>
Dean Witter Trust Company ("DWTC"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager
and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. The Fund incurred transfer agent
fees and expenses of $61,373 with DWTC for the year ended October 31, 1993, of
which $10,257 was payable at October 31, 1993.
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, 1993 OCTOBER 31, 1992
----------------------------- -----------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
------------ --------------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sold.................................... 2,978,014 $ 28,675,877 8,729,752 $ 86,591,731
Reinvestment of dividends and
distributions.......................... 753,734 7,199,190 654,527 6,472,788
------------ --------------- ------------ ---------------
3,731,748 35,875,067 9,384,279 93,064,519
Repurchased............................. (9,880,854) (94,132,722) (6,691,002) (66,337,662)
------------ --------------- ------------ ---------------
Net (decrease) increase................. (6,149,106) $ (58,257,655) 2,693,277 $ 26,726,857
------------ --------------- ------------ ---------------
------------ --------------- ------------ ---------------
</TABLE>
6. REVERSE REPURCHASE AND DOLLAR ROLL AGREEMENTS -- The Fund may use reverse
repurchase and dollar roll agreements as part of its investment strategy.
Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of portfolio securities
concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same securities 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 advantageous only if the interest cost to the
Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost of obtaining
the cash otherwise. Reverse repurchase agreements are collateralized by Fund
securities with a market value in excess of the Fund's obligation under the
contract. At October 31, 1993 the reverse repurchase agreements outstanding were
$10,855,000 with rates of 3.20% and 3.33% and maturity dates of November 1, 1993
and November 4, 1993, respectively. Securities valued at $11,211,550 were
pledged as collateral.
The Fund may enter into dollar rolls in which the Fund sells mortgage-backed
securities and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar
securities on a specified future date. Dollar rolls are accounted for as a
financing arrangement; the difference between the sale and the repurchase price
is recorded as deferred income and amortized to interest income.
7. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS -- At October 31, 1993 the Fund had net capital
loss carryovers of approximately $5,235,000 which will be available through
October 31, 2001 to offset net realized gains, to the extent provided by
regulations.
45
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selected data and ratios for a share of beneficial interest outstanding
throughout each period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR JULY 1, 1991*
ENDED ENDED THROUGH
OCTOBER 31, 1993 OCTOBER 31, 1992 OCTOBER 31, 1991
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period............ $9.69 $9.95 $9.60
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Net investment income......................... 0.73 0.71 0.26
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments.................................. (0.45) (0.21) 0.37
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Total from investment operations................ 0.28 0.50 0.63
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Less dividends and distributions:
Dividends from net investment income.......... (0.61) (0.71) (0.26)
Distribution from net realized gain on
investments.................................. (0.18) (0.05) (0.02)
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Total dividends and distributions............... (0.79) (0.76) (0.28)
-------- ----------------- -----------------
Net asset value, end of period.................. $9.18 $9.69 $9.95
-------- ----------------- -----------------
-------- ----------------- -----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+.......................... 2.87% 5.18% 6.41%(1)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)........ $90,260 $154,860 $132,219
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
Operating expenses............................ 0.95% 0.99% 0.85%(2)
Interest expense.............................. 0.65% 0.61% 0.84%(2)
Total expenses.............................. 1.60% 1.60% 1.69%(2)(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net
assets........................................... 7.32% 7.05% 7.50%(2)(3)
Portfolio turnover rate........................... 412% 254% 91%
<FN>
- ------------------------
+ DOES NOT REFLECT THE DEDUCTION OF SALES LOAD.
* DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
(1) NOT ANNUALIZED.
(2) ANNUALIZED.
(3) IF THE FUND HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES THAT WERE ASSUMED BY THE INVESTMENT
MANAGER, THE ABOVE ANNUALIZED EXPENSE RATIO WOULD HAVE BEEN 1.85% ($.065
PER SHARE) AND THE ABOVE ANNUALIZED NET INVESTMENT INCOME RATIO WOULD HAVE
BEEN 7.34% ($.253 PER SHARE).
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
46
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Shareholders and Trustees of Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations, of cash
flows and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Dean Witter Premier Income
Trust (the "Fund") at October 31, 1993, the results of its operations and its
cash flows 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 two years in the period then ended and for the period July 1, 1991
(commencement of operations) through October 31, 1991, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements and
financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the
responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits, which included confirmation of securities owned at October 31, 1993 by
correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for
the opinion expressed above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE
New York, New York
December 27, 1993
1993 FEDERAL TAX NOTICE
For the year ended October 31, 1993, the Fund paid to shareholders $0.02281 per
share from long-term capital gains.
47
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME 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 from the period
July 1, 1991 through October 31, 1991 and for
the years ended October 31, 1992 and 1993.......... 4
(2) Financial statements included in the Statement of
Additional Information (Part B): Page in
SAI
-------
Portfolio of Investments at October 31, 1993....... 39
Statement of assets and liabilities at
October 31, 1993................................... 41
Statement of operations for the year
ended October 31, 1993............................. 41
Statement of changes in net assets for the years
ended October 31, 1992 and 1993.................... 41
Statement of Cash Flows for the year
ended October 31, 1993............................. 42
Notes to Financial Statements ..................... 43
(3) Financial statements included in Part C:
None
(b) EXHIBITS:
5.(a) - Form of Investment Management Agreement between
Registrant and Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
(b) - Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. and BlackRock
Financial Management L.P.
6.(a) - Form of Distribution Agreement between
Registrant and Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
1
<PAGE>
(b) - Form of Selected Dealers Agreement
8. - Form of Amended and Restated Transfer Agency
and Service Agreement
9. - Form of Services agreement between Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc. and Dean Witter Services
Company Inc.
11. - Consent of Independent Accountants
16. - Schedules for Computation of Performance
Quotations
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(1) (2)
Number of Record Holders
Title of Class at December 14, 1993
-------------- -------------------------
<S> <C>
Shares of Beneficial Interest 4,785
</TABLE>
Item 27. INDEMNIFICATION
Pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust and under
Section 4.8 of the Registrant's By-Laws, the indemnification of the Registrant's
trustees, officers, employees and agents is permitted if it is determined that
they acted under the belief that their actions were in or not opposed to the
best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding,
they had reasonable cause to believe their conduct was not unlawful. In
addition, indemnification is permitted only if it is determined that the actions
in question did not render them liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties or by reason of
reckless disregard of their obligations and duties to the Registrant. Trustees,
officers, employees and agents will be indemnified for the expense of litigation
if it is determined that they are entitled to indemnification against any
liability established in such litigation. The Registrant may also advance money
for these expenses provided that they give their undertakings to repay the
Registrant unless their conduct is later determined to permit indemnification.
Pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Registrant's Declaration of
2
<PAGE>
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
3
<PAGE>
regarding the business of the investment adviser. The following information is
given regarding officers of Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. Information regarding
the other officers of InterCapital is included in Item 29(b) below. The term
"Dean Witter Funds" used below refers to the following Funds: (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, and (22) InterCapital California Municipal Securities,
registered closed-end investment companies, and (1) Dean Witter Equity Income
Trust, (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 Managed Assets Trust, (20) Dean
Witter American Value Fund, (21) Dean Witter Strategist Fund, (22) Dean Witter
Utilities Fund, (23) Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust, (24) Dean Witter New
York Municipal Money Market Trust, (25) Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities,
(26) Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust, (27) Dean Witter European
Growth Fund Inc., (28) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc., (29) Dean
Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc., (30) Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series
Trust, (31) Dean Witter Premier Income Trust, (32) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S.
Treasury Trust, (33) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust, (34) Dean Witter U.S.
Government Money Market Trust, (35) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth
Securities, (36) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust, (37) Dean Witter
Natural Resource Development Securities Inc., (38) Active Assets Government
Securities Trust, (39) Active Assets Money Trust, (40) Active Assets Tax-Free
Trust, (41) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust, (42) Dean Witter Variable
Investment Series, (43) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series, (44) Dean Witter
Short-Term Bond Fund
4
<PAGE>
registered open-end investment companies. InterCapital is a wholly-owned direct
subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. The principal address of the Dean
Witter Funds is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. The term
"TCW/DW Funds" refers to the following Funds: (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, registered open-end investment companies and (7) TCW/DW
Term Trust 2002, (8) TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 and (9) TCW/DW Term Trust 2000,
registered closed-end investment companies.
Other Substantial
Business, Profession,
Position with Vocation or Employment,
Dean Witter including Name, Prin-
InterCapital cipal Address and
Name Inc. Nature of Connection
---- -------------- ------------------------
Charles A. Chairman, Chief Executive Vice
Fiumefreddo Executive Officer President and Director
and Director of Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc.
("DWR"); Chairman,
Director or Trustee,
President and Chief
Executive Officer of
the Dean Witter Funds;
Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and
Trustee of the TCW/DW
Funds; Chairman and
Director of Dean
Witter Trust Company
("DWTC"); Chairman,
Chief Executive
Officer and Director
of Dean Witter
Distributors Inc.
("Distributors") and
Dean Witter Services
Company Inc. ("DWSC");
Formerly Executive
Vice President and
Director of Dean
Witter, Discover & Co.
("DWDC"); Director
and/or officer of DWDC
subsidiaries.
5
<PAGE>
Other Substantial
Business, Profession,
Position with Vocation or Employment,
Dean Witter including Name, Prin-
InterCapital cipal Address and
Name Inc. Nature of Connection
---- ------------ -----------------------
Philip J. Director Chairman, Chief
Purcell Executive Officer and
Director of DWDC and
DWR; Director of DWSC
and Distributors.
Richard M. Director President and Chief
DeMartini Operating Officer of
Dean Witter Capital
and Director of DWDC,
DWR and Distributors.
James F. Director President and Chief
Higgins Operating Officer of
Dean Witter Financial;
Director of DWDC, DWR,
DWSC and Distributors.
Thomas C. Executive Vice Executive Vice
Schneider President, Chief President, Chief
Financial Officer Financial Officer
and Director and Director of
DWDC, DWR, DWSC and
Distributors.
Christine A. Director Executive Vice
Edwards President, Secretary,
General Counsel and
Director of DWDC, DWR,
DWSC and Distributors.
Robert M. Scanlan President and Vice President of
Chief Operating the Dean Witter Funds
Officer and the TCW/DW Funds;
President of DWSC;
Executive Vice
President of
Distributors;
Executive Vice
President and
Director of DWTC.
6
<PAGE>
Other Substantial
Business, Profession,
Position with Vocation or Employment,
Dean Witter including Name, Prin-
InterCapital cipal Address and
Name Inc. Nature of Connection
---- ------------- -----------------------
David A. Hughey Executive Vice Vice President of the
President and Dean Witter Funds and
Chief Administrative the TCW/DW Funds;
Officer Executive Vice
President, Chief
Administrative Officer
and Director of DWTC;
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Administrative
Officer of DWSC
and Distributors.
Edmund C. Executive Vice Vice President of the
Puckhaber President Dean Witter Funds.
John Van Heuvelen Executive Vice President and Chief
President Executive Officer of
DWTC.
Sheldon Curtis Senior Vice Vice President,
President, Secretary and
General Counsel General Counsel of the
and Secretary Dean Witter Funds and
the
TCW/DW Funds; Senior
Vice
President and
Secretary of
DWTC; Assistant
Secretary
of DWR and DWDC; Senior
Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
of DWSC; Senior
Vice President,
Assistant
General Counsel and
Assistant Secretary of
Distributors.
Peter M. Avelar Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Mark Bavoso Senior Vice
President
Thomas H. Connelly Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
7
<PAGE>
Other Substantial
Business, Profession,
Position with Vocation or Employment,
Dean Witter including Name, Prin-
InterCapital cipal Address and
Name Inc. Nature of Connection
---- ------------ -----------------------
Edward Gaylor Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Rajesh K. Gupta Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Kenton J. Senior Vice Vice President of
Hinchliffe President various Dean Witter
Funds.
John B. Kemp, III Senior Vice Director of the
President Provident Savings
Bank, Jersey City,
New Jersey.
Anita Kolleeny Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Jonathan R. Page Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Ira Ross Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Rochelle G. Siegel Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Paul D. Vance Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Elizabeth A. Senior Vice
Vetell President
James F. Willison Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Ronald Worobel Senior Vice Vice President of
President various Dean Witter
Funds.
Thomas F. Caloia First Vice Treasurer of the
President and Dean Witter Funds
Assistant Treasurer and the TCW/DW Funds;
First Vice President
and Assistant Treasurer
of DWSC; Assistant
Treasurer of
Distributors.
8
<PAGE>
Other Substantial
Business, Profession,
Position with Vocation or Employment,
Dean Witter including Name, Prin-
InterCapital cipal Address and
Name Inc. Nature of Connection
---- ------------- -----------------------
Barry Fink First Vice Assistant Secretary
President of the Dean Witter
Funds and TCW/DW
Funds; First Vice
President and Assistant
Secretary of DWSC.
Michael First Vice First Vice President
Interrante President and and Controller of DWSC;
Controller Assistant Treasurer
of Distributors.
Robert Zimmerman First Vice
President
Joseph Arcieri Vice President
Douglas Brown Vice President
Rosalie Clough Vice President
B. Catherine Vice President
Connelly
Marilyn K. Cranney Vice President Assistant Secretary
and Assistant of the Dean Witter
Secretary Funds and the TCW/DW
Funds; Vice President
and Assistant Secretary
of DWSC; Assistant
Secretary of DWR and
DWDC.
Salvatore DeSteno Vice President Vice President of DWSC.
Dwight Doolan Vice President
Bruce Dunn Vice President
Geoffrey D. Flynn Vice President Vice President of DWSC.
Bette Freedman Vice President
Robert Geis Vice President
Deborah Genovese Vice President
Peter W. Gurman Vice President
Shant Harootunian Vice President
John Hechtlinger Vice President
David Johnson Vice President
9
<PAGE>
Other Substantial
Business, Profession,
Position with Vocation or Employment,
Dean Witter including Name, Prin-
InterCapital cipal Address and
Name Inc. Nature of Connection
---- ------------- -----------------------
Christopher Jones Vice President
Stanley Kapica Vice President
Paula LaCosta Vice President Vice President of
various Dean Witter
Funds.
Lawrence S. Lafer Vice President Assistant Secretary
and Assistant of the Dean Witter
Secretary Funds and the TCW/DW
Funds; Vice President
and Assistant Secretary
of DWSC.
Thomas Lawlor Vice President
Lou Anne D. McInnis Vice President Assistant Secretary
and Assistant of the Dean Witter
Secretary Funds and the TCW/DW
Funds; Vice President
and Assistant Secretary
of DWSC.
James Mulcahy Vice President
James Nash Vice President
Hugh Rose Vice President
Ruth Rossi Vice President Assistant Secretary
and Assistant of the Dean Witter
Secretary Funds and the TCW/DW
Funds; Vice President
and Assistant Secretary
of DWSC.
Howard A. Schloss Vice President
Rose Simpson Vice President
Diane Lisa Sobin 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.
10
<PAGE>
Other Substantial
Business, Profession,
Position with Vocation or Employment,
Dean Witter including Name, Prin-
InterCapital cipal Address and
Name Inc. Nature of Connection
---- ------------- -----------------------
Alice Weiss Vice President Assistant Vice
President of Dean
Witter Value-Added
Market Series.
Ronald Worobel Vice President Vice President of
various Dean Witter
Funds.
Marianne Zalys Vice President
Item 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("Distributors"), a Delaware corporation, is
the principal underwriter of the Registrant. Distributors is also the principal
underwriter of the following investment companies:
(1) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(2) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(3) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(4) Dean Witter Retirement Series
(5) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(6) Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(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 Equity Income Trust
(15) Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(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 Managed Assets Trust
(22) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(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 Premier Income Trust
11
<PAGE>
(35) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(36) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(37) Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(38) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(39) Dean Witter American Value Fund
(40) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(41) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(42) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(43) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44) Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
(2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
(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.
Edward C. Oelsner III Vice President of Distributors.
Samuel Wolcott III Vice President of Distributors.
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.
12
<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 6th day of January, 1994.
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME 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. 3 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 01/06/94
---------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
(2) Principal Financial Officer Treasurer and Principal
Accounting Officer
By /s/ Thomas F. Caloia 01/06/94
---------------------------
Thomas F. Caloia
(3) Majority of the Trustees
Charles A. Fiumefreddo (Chairman)
Edward R. Telling
By /s/ Sheldon Curtis 01/06/94
-----------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Attorney-in-Fact
Jack F. Bennett Paul Kolton
John R. Haire Michael E. Nugent
John E. Jeuck Albert T. Sommers
Manuel H. Johnson Edwin J. Garn
By /s/ David M. Butowsky 01/06/94
---------------------------
David M. Butowsky
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
5.(a) - Form of Investment Management Agreement between
Registrant and Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
(b) - Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc. and BlackRock Financial Management
L.P.
6.(a) - Form of Distribution Agreement between Registrant and
Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
(b) - Form of Selected Dealers Agreement
8. - Form of Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
9. - Form of Services Agreement between Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
and Dean Witter Services Company Inc.
11. - Consent of Independent Accountants
16. - Schedules for Computation of Performance
Quotations
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 30th day of June, 1993 by and between Dean Witter
Premier Income Trust, an unincorporated business trust organized under the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (hereinafter called the "Fund"), and Dean
Witter InterCapital Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the
"Investment Manager"):
WHEREAS, The Fund is engaged in business as an open-end management
investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"); and
WHEREAS, The Investment Manager is registered as an investment adviser
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and engages in the business of acting
as investment adviser; and
WHEREAS, The Fund desires to retain the Investment Manager to render
management and investment advisory services in the manner and on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, The Investment Manager desires to be retained to perform services
on said terms and conditions:
Now, Therefore, this Agreement
W I T N E S S E T H:
that in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter
contained, the Fund and the Investment Manager agree as follows:
1. The Fund hereby retains the Investment Manager to act as
investment manager of the Fund and, subject to the supervision of the Trustees,
to supervise the investment activities of the Fund as hereinafter set forth.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investment Manager shall
obtain and evaluate such information and advice relating to the economy,
securities and commodities markets and securities and commodities as it deems
necessary or useful to discharge its duties hereunder; shall continuously
supervise the management of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with
the investment objectives and policies of the Fund and subject to such other
limitations as the Trustees of the Fund may from time to time prescribe; and
shall take such further action as the Investment Manager shall deem necessary or
appropriate. The Investment Manager shall also furnish to or place at the
disposal of the Fund such of the information, evaluations, analyses and opinions
formulated or obtained by the Investment Manager in the discharge of its duties
as the Fund may, from time to time, reasonably request.
2. The Investment Manager shall, at its own expense, enter into a
Sub-Advisory Agreement with a Sub-Advisor to make determinations as to
the securities and commodities to be purchased, sold or otherwise disposed of by
the Fund and the timing of such purchases, sales and dispositions and to take
such further action, including the placing of purchase and sale orders on behalf
of the Fund, as the Sub-Advisor, in consultation with the Investment Manager,
shall deem necessary or appropriate; provided that the Investment Manager shall
be responsible for monitoring compliance by such Sub-Advisor with the investment
policies and restrictions of the Fund and with such other limitations or
directions as the Trustees of the Fund may from time to time prescribe.
3. The Investment Manager shall, at its own expense, maintain such
staff and employ or retain such personnel and consult with such other persons
as it shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Investment Manager
shall be deemed to include persons employed or otherwise retained by the
Investment Manager to furnish statistical and other factual data, advice
regarding economic factors and trends, information with respect to technical and
scientific developments, and such other information, advice and assistance as
the Investment Manager may desire. The Investment Manager shall, as agent for
the Fund, maintain the Fund's records and books of account (other than those
maintained by the Fund's transfer agent, registrar, custodian and other
agencies). All such books and records so maintained shall be the property of the
Fund and, upon request therefor, the Investment Manager shall surrender to the
Fund such of the books and records so requested.
<PAGE>
4. The Fund will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make
available to the Investment Manager such financial reports, proxy statements
and other information relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as the
Investment Manager may reasonably require in order to discharge its duties
and obligations hereunder.
5. The Investment Manager shall bear the cost of rendering the
investment management and supervisory services to be performed by it under this
Agreement, and shall, at its own expense, pay the compensation of the officers
and employees, if any, of the Fund, and provide such office space, facilities
and equipment and such clerical help and bookkeeping services as the Fund shall
reasonably require in the conduct of its business. The Investment Manager shall
also bear the cost of telephone service, heat, light, power and other utilities
provided to the Fund.
6. The Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other
expenses of the Fund, including without limitation: fees pursuant to any plan of
distribution that the Fund may adopt; the charges and expenses of any registrar,
any custodian or depository appointed by the Fund for the safekeeping of its
cash, portfolio securities or commodities and other property, and any stock
transfer or dividend agent or agents appointed by the Fund; brokers' commissions
chargeable to the Fund in connection with portfolio transactions to which the
Fund is a party; all taxes, including securities or commodities issuance and
transfer taxes, and fees payable by the Fund to federal, state or other
governmental agencies; the cost and expense of engraving or printing
certificates representing shares of the Fund; all costs and expenses in
connection with the registration and maintenance of registration of the Fund and
its shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission and various states and
other jurisdictions (including filing fees and legal fees and disbursements of
counsel); the cost and expense of printing (including typesetting) and
distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Fund
and supplements thereto to the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of
shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing
proxy statements and reports to shareholders; fees and travel expenses of
Trustees or members of any advisory board or committee who are not employees of
the Investment Manager or any corporate affiliate of the Investment Manager; all
expenses incident to the payment of any dividend, distribution, withdrawal or
redemption, whether in shares or in cash; charges and expenses of any outside
service used for pricing of the Fund's shares; charges and expenses of legal
counsel, including counsel to the Trustees of the Fund who are not interested
persons (as defined in the Act) of the Fund or the Investment Manager, and of
independent accountants, in connection with any matter relating to the Fund;
membership dues of industry associations; interest payable on Fund borrowings;
postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel (including officers and
Trustees) of the Fund which inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses
(including, but not limited to, legal claims and liabilities and litigation
costs and any indemnification related thereto); and all other charges and costs
of the Fund's operation unless otherwise explicitly provided herein.
7. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and
the expenses assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund shall pay to the
Investment Manager monthly compensation determined by applying the annual rate
of 0.50% to the Fund's daily net assets. Except as hereinafter set forth,
compensation under this Agreement shall be calculated and accrued daily and the
amounts of the daily accruals shall be paid monthly. Such calculations shall be
made by applying 1/365ths of the annual rates to the Fund's net assets each day
determined as of the close of business on that day or the last previous business
day. If this Agreement becomes effective subsequent to the first day of a month
or shall terminate before the last day of a month, compensation for that part of
the month this Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent
with the calculation of the fees as set forth above.
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 8 hereof, payment of the Investment
Manager's compensation for the preceding month shall be made as promptly as
possible after completion of the computations contemplated by paragraph 8
hereof.
8. In the event the operating expenses of the Fund, including
amounts payable to the Investment Manager pursuant to paragraph 7 hereof, for
any fiscal year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in effect, exceed
the expense limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by state securities laws
or regulations thereunder, as such limitations may be raised or lowered from
time to time, the Investment Manager shall
2
<PAGE>
reduce its management fee to the extent of such excess and, if required,
pursuant to any such laws or regulations, will reimburse the Fund for annual
operating expenses in excess of any expense limitation that may be applicable;
provided, however, there shall be excluded from such expenses the amount of any
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, distribution fees and extraordinary
expenses (including but not limited to legal claims and liabilities and
litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto) paid or payable by the
Fund. Such reduction, if any, shall be computed and accrued daily, shall be
settled on a monthly basis, and shall be based upon the expense limitation
applicable to the Fund as at the end of the last business day of the month.
Should two or more such expense limitations be applicable as at the end of the
last business day of the month, that expense limitation which results in the
largest reduction in the Investment Manager's fee shall be applicable.
For purposes of this provision, should any applicable expense limitation be
based upon the gross income of the Fund, such gross income shall include, but
not be limited to, interest on debt securities in the Fund's portfolio accrued
to and including the last day of the Fund's fiscal year, and dividends declared
on equity securities in the Fund's portfolio, the record dates for which fall on
or prior to the last day of such fiscal year, but shall not include gains from
the sale of securities.
9. The Investment Manager will use its best efforts in the
supervision and management of the investment activities of the Fund, but in
the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its obligations hereunder, the Investment Manager shall not be
liable to the Fund or any of its investors for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any act or omission by the Investment Manager or for any losses
sustained by the Fund or its investors.
10. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Investment
Manager or any affiliated person of the Investment Manager from acting as
investment adviser or manager for any other person, firm or corporation and
shall not in any way bind or restrict the Investment Manager or any such
affiliated person from buying, selling or trading any securities or commodities
for their own accounts or for the account of others for whom they may be acting.
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any Trustee,
officer or employee of the Investment Manager to engage in any other business or
to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other
aspects of any other business whether of a similar or dissimilar nature.
11. This Agreement shall remain in effect until April 30, 1994 and
from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least
annually by the vote of holders of a majority, as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund or by the Trustees of the Fund; provided that in either
event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote of a majority of
the Trustees of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested
persons" (as defined in the Act) of any such party, which vote must be cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; provided,
however, that (a) the Fund may, at any time and without the payment of any
penalty, terminate this Agreement upon thirty days' written notice to the
Investment Manager, either by majority vote of the Trustees of the Fund or by
the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; (b)
this Agreement shall immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (to
the extent required by the Act and the rules thereunder) unless such automatic
terminations shall be prevented by an exemptive order of the Securities and
Exchange Commission; and (c) the Investment Manager may terminate this Agreement
without payment of penalty on thirty days' written notice to the Fund. Any
notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered,
or mailed post-paid, to the other party at the principal office of such party.
12. This Agreement may be amended by the parties without the vote or
consent of the shareholders of the Fund to supply any omission, to cure, correct
or supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or if
they deem it necessary to conform this Agreement to the requirements of
applicable federal laws or regulations, but neither the Fund nor the Investment
Manager shall be liable for failing to do so.
13. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Act. To the
extent the applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions
herein, conflicts with the applicable provisions of the Act, the latter shall
control.
3
<PAGE>
14. The Investment Manager and the Fund each agree that the name
"Dean Witter", which comprises a component of the Fund's name, is a property
right of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. The Fund agrees and consents that (i) it will
only use the name "Dean Witter" as a component of its name and for no other
purpose, (ii) it will not purport to grant to any third party the right to use
the name "Dean Witter" for any purpose, (iii) the Investment Manager or its
parent, Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., or any corporate affiliate of the Investment
Manager's parent, may use or grant to others the right to use the name "Dean
Witter", or any combination or abbreviation thereof, as all or a portion of a
corporate or business name or for any commercial purpose, including a grant of
such right to any other investment company, (iv) at the request of the
Investment Manager or its parent, the Fund will take such action as may be
required to provide its consent to the use of the name "Dean Witter", or any
combination or abbreviation thereof, by the Investment Manager or its parent or
any corporate affiliate of the Investment Manager's parent, or by any person to
whom the Investment Manager or its parent or any corporate affiliate of the
Investment Manager's parent shall have granted the right to such use, and (v)
upon the termination of any investment advisory agreement into which the
Investment Manager and the Fund may enter, or upon termination of affiliation of
the Investment Manager with its parent, the Fund shall, upon request by the
Investment Manager or its parent, cease to use the name "Dean Witter" as a
component of its name, and shall not use the name, or any combination or
abbreviation thereof, as a part of its name or for any other commercial purpose,
and shall cause its officers, Trustees and shareholders to take any and all
actions which the Investment Manager or its parent may request to effect the
foregoing and to reconvey to the Investment Manager or its parent any and all
rights to such name.
15. The Declaration of Trust establishing Dean Witter Premier
Income Trust, dated March 26, 1991, 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 Premier Income 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 Premier Income 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 Premier
Income Trust, but the Trust Estate only shall be liable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement on the day and year first above written in New York, New York.
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
By
.............................
Attest:
.........................................
DEAN WITTER INTERCAPITAL INC.
By
.............................
Attest:
.........................................
4
<PAGE>
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 30th day of June, 1993 by and between Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein referred to as the "Investment
Manager"), and BlackRock Financial Management L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (herein referred to as the "Sub-Advisor").
WHEREAS, Dean Witter Premier Income Trust (herein referred to as the "Fund")
is engaged in business as an open-end management investment company and is
registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Investment Manager has entered into an Investment Management
Agreement with the Fund (the "Investment Management Agreement") wherein the
Investment Manager has agreed to provide investment management services to the
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Advisor is registered as an investment adviser as under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and engages in the business of acting as an
investment advisor; and
WHEREAS, the Investment Manager desires to retain the services of the
Sub-Advisor to render investment advisory services for the Fund in the manner
and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Advisor desires to be retained by the Investment Manager to
perform services on said terms and conditions:
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. Subject to the supervision of the Fund, its officers and Trustees,
and the Investment Manager, and in accordance with the investment objective,
policies and restrictions set forth in the then-current Registration Statement
relating to the Fund, and such investment objective, policies and restrictions
from time to time prescribed by the Trustees of the Fund and communicated by the
Investment Manager to the Sub-Advisor, the Sub-Advisor agrees to provide the
Fund with investment advisory services with respect to investments in the Fund's
portfolio securities, as follows: to obtain and evaluate such information and
advice relating to the economy, securities markets and securities as it deems
necessary or useful to discharge its duties hereunder; to continuously manage
the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with the investment objective and
policies of the Fund; to determine the securities to be purchased, sold or
otherwise disposed of by the Fund and the timing of such purchases, sales and
dispositions; to take such further action, including the placing of purchase and
sale orders on behalf of the Fund, as it shall deem necessary or appropriate;
and to furnish to or place at the disposal of the Fund and the Investment
Manager such of the information, evaluations, analyses and opinions formulated
or obtained by it in the discharge of its duties as the Fund and the Investment
Manager may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Investment Manager and
the Sub-Advisor shall each make its officers and employees available to the
other from time to time at reasonable times to review investment policies of the
Fund and to consult with each other.
2. The Sub-Advisor shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff and
employ or retain such personnel and consult with such other persons as it shall
from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Sub-Advisor shall be deemed to include
persons employed or otherwise retained by the Sub-Advisor to furnish statistical
and other factual data, advice regarding economic factors and trends,
information with respect to technical and scientific developments, and such
other information, advice and assistance as the Investment Manager may
reasonably request, PROVIDED, that nothing contained herein shall require the
Sub-Advisor to transfer proprietary technology to the Investment Manager. The
Sub-Advisor shall maintain whatever records as may be required to be maintained
by it under the Act. All such records so maintained shall be retained for the
period of time required under the Act and shall remain the property of the Fund
and be made available to the Fund, upon the request of the Investment Manager or
the Fund.
3. The Fund will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make available
to the Sub-Advisor such financial reports, proxy statements and other
information relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as
<PAGE>
the Sub-Advisor may reasonably require in order to discharge its duties and
obligations hereunder or to comply with any applicable law and regulations and
the investment objectives, policies and restrictions from time to time
prescribed by the Trustees of the Fund.
4. The Sub-Advisor shall bear the cost of rendering the investment
advisory 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 the Sub-Advisor, and such clerical help and bookkeeping
services as the Sub-Advisor shall reasonably require in performing its duties
hereunder.
5. The Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other
expenses of the Fund, including, without limitation: any fees paid to the
Investment Manager; fees pursuant to any plan of distribution that the Fund may
adopt; the charges and expenses of any registrar, any custodian, sub-custodian
or depository appointed by the Fund for the safekeeping of its cash, portfolio
securities and other property, and any stock transfer or dividend agent or
agents appointed by the Fund; brokers' commissions chargeable to the Fund in
connection with portfolio securities transactions to which the Fund is a party;
all taxes, including securities issuance and transfer taxes, and fees payable by
the Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies or pursuant to any
foreign laws; the cost and expense of engraving or printing certificates
representing shares of the Fund; all costs and expenses in connection with the
registration and maintenance of registration of the Fund and its shares with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and various states and other jurisdictions or
pursuant to any foreign laws (including filing fees and legal fees and
disbursements of counsel); the cost and expense of printing (including
typesetting) and distributing prospectuses of the Fund and supplements thereto
to the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings
and of preparing, printing and mailing 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 Sub-
Advisor; all expenses incident to the payment of any dividend, distribution,
withdrawal or redemption whether in shares or in cash; charges and expenses of
any outside service used for pricing of the Fund's shares; charges and expenses
of legal counsel, including counsel to the Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of the Fund, the Investment Manager
or the Sub-Advisor, and of independent accountants, in connection with any
matter relating to the Fund; membership dues of industry associations; interest
payable on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel
(including officers and Trustees) of the Fund which inure to its benefit;
extraordinary expenses (including but not limited to legal claims and
liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto); and
all other charges and costs of the Fund's operation unless otherwise explicitly
provided herein.
6. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by the Sub-Advisor, the Investment Manager shall pay to
the Sub-Advisor monthly compensation equal to 40% of its monthly compensation
receivable pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement. Any subsequent
change in the Investment Management Agreement which has the effect of raising or
lowering the compensation of the Investment Manager will have the concomitant
effect of raising or lowering the fee payable to the Sub-Advisor under this
Agreement. In addition, if the Investment Manager has undertaken in the Fund's
Registration Statement as filed under the Act or elsewhere to waive all or part
of its fee under the Investment Management Agreement, the Sub-Advisor's fee
payable under this Agreement will be proportionately waived in whole or in part.
The calculation of the fee payable to the Sub-Advisor pursuant to this Agreement
will be made, each month, at the time designated for the monthly calculation of
the fee payable to the Investment Manager pursuant to the Investment Management
Agreement. 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 the
part of the month this Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner
consistent with the calculation of the fee as set forth above. Subject to the
provisions of paragraph 7 hereof, payment of the Sub-Advisor's compensation for
the preceding month shall be made as promptly as possible after completion of
the computations contemplated by paragraph 7 hereof.
7. In the event the operating expenses of the Fund, including amounts
payable to the Investment Manager pursuant to 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 imposed by state
securities laws or regulations thereunder, as such limitations may be raised or
lowered from time to time, the Sub-
2
<PAGE>
Advisor shall reduce its advisory fee (but not lower than zero) to the extent of
40% of such excess, it being understood that the Investment Manager has agreed
to effect a reduction and reimbursement of 60% of such excess in accordance with
the terms of the Investment Management Agreement; provided, however, there shall
be excluded from such expenses the amount of any interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, distribution fees and extraordinary expenses (including but not
limited to legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any
indemnification related thereto) paid or payable by the Fund. Such reduction, if
any, shall be computed and accrued daily, shall be settled on a monthly basis,
and shall be based upon the expense limitation applicable to the Fund as at the
end of the last business day of the month. Should two or more such expense
limitations be applicable as at the end of the last business day of the month,
that expense limitation which results in the largest reduction in the Investment
Manager's fee or the largest expense reimbursement shall be applicable.
For purposes of this provision, should any applicable expense limitation be
based upon the gross income of the Fund, such gross income shall include, but
not be limited to, interest on debt securities in the Fund's portfolio accrued
to and including the last day of the Fund's fiscal year, and dividends declared
on equity securities, if any, in the Fund's portfolio, the record dates for
which fall on or prior to the last day of such fiscal year, but shall not
include gains from the sale of securities.
8. The Sub-Advisor will use its best efforts in the performance of
investment activities on behalf of the Fund, but in the absence of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations hereunder, the Sub-Advisor shall not be liable to the Investment
Manager or the Fund or any of its investors for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any act or omission by the Sub-Advisor or for any losses sustained
by the Fund or its investors.
9. It is understood that any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers
and employees of the Fund may be a shareholder, director, officer or employee
of, or be otherwise interested in, the Sub-Advisor, and in any person controlled
by or under common control with the Sub-Advisor, and that the Sub-Advisor and
any person controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Advisor may have
an interest in the Fund. It is also understood that the Sub-Advisor and any
affiliated persons thereof or any persons controlled by or under common control
with the Sub-Advisor have and may have advisory, management 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; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, unless expressly consented to in writing
by the Investment Manager or the Sub-Advisor, as the case may be, for so long as
the Sub-Advisor shall serve as sub-advisor to the Fund, neither (i) the
Sub-Advisor nor any of its affiliates which contains the name "Blackstone" or
(ii) the Investment Manager nor any of its affiliates which contains the name
"Dean Witter" shall undertake to act as investment advisor or sub-advisor for
any other U.S. registered open-end investment company, sold primarily to retail
investors, which utilizes the same investment techniques utilized by the
Sub-Advisor in connection with its sub-advisory services to the Fund and whose
investment objective and policies and general asset allocation are the same as
those of the Fund and which is sponsored, distributed or managed by a U.S.
registered broker-dealer or one of its affiliates.
10. (a) The Fund, to the full extent permitted by applicable law,
shall indemnify the Sub-Advisor and each of the Sub-Advisor's partners,
officers, employees and agents 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 Fund) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
Trustee, partner, officer, employee, or agent of the Fund or the Sub-Advisor
acting in its capacity as Sub-Advisor (each such person hereinafter referred to
as an Indemnified Person). 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 Fund, 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
3
<PAGE>
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 Fund, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was
unlawful.
(b) The Fund shall indemnify any Indemnified 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 Fund 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 Fund or the Sub-Advisor acting in its capacity as Sub-Advisor. 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 Fund; 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 Fund, 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 Fund 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 Indemnified Person 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 an Indemnified Person 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 Fund only as
authorized in the specific case after a determination that indemnification of
the Indemnified Person 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
Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the
Act) so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or
(iii) By the Fund's shareholders.
(3) Notwithstanding any provision of this paragraph 10, 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 Act ("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 Indemnified Person 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 Indemnified Person 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 Fund, (as defined in the Act), nor
parties to the action, suit or proceeding, or
(B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
4
<PAGE>
(e) Expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by an Indemnified Person
in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the
Fund in advance of the final disposition thereof if:
(1) authorized in the specific case by the Trustees; and
(2) the Fund receives an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified
Person to repay the advance if it is not ultimately determined that such
person is entitled to be indemnified by the Fund; and
(3) either, (i) such person provides a security for his undertaking, or
(ii) the Fund 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 Fund (as defined in the 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 paragraph 10 shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnified Person may be entitled
under any by-law, agreement, vote of Fund shareholders or Trustees who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund or otherwise, both as to action in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while a partner, officer, employee
or agent of the Sub-Advisor, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
be an Indemnified Person 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 Fund, and no shareholder shall be
personally liable with respect to any claim for indemnity or reimbursement or
otherwise.
(g) The Fund may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
Indemnified Person, 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 Fund purchase insurance to indemnify any Indemnified Person
against liability for any act for which the Fund itself is not permitted to
indemnify him.
(h) Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to protect any
Indemnified Person of the Fund against any liability to the Fund 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.
(i) The provisions of this paragraph 10 shall survive the termination of
this Agreement.
11. This Agreement shall remain in effect until April 30, 1994 and from
year to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least
annually by the vote of holders of a majority, as defined in the Act, of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Trustees of the Fund;
provided, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the
vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund who are not parties to this
Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of any such party,
which vote must be cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval; provided, however, that (a) the Fund may, at any time and
without the payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement upon thirty days'
written notice to the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor, either by majority
vote of the Trustees of the Fund or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund; (b) this Agreement shall immediately terminate in
the event of its assignment (within the meaning of the Act) unless such
automatic termination shall be prevented by an exemptive order of the Securities
and Exchange Commission; (c) this Agreement shall immediately terminate in the
event of the termination of the Investment Management Agreement; (d) the
Investment Manager may terminate this Agreement without payment of penalty on
thirty days' written notice to the Fund and the Sub-Advisor and; (e) the Sub-
Advisor may terminate this Agreement without the payment of penalty on thirty
days' written notice to the Fund and the Investment Manager. Any notice under
this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed
post-paid, to the other party at the principal office of such party.
5
<PAGE>
12. This Agreement may be amended by the parties without the vote or
consent of the shareholders of the Fund to supply any omission, to cure, correct
or supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or if
they deem it necessary to conform this Agreement to the requirements of
applicable federal laws or regulations, but neither the Fund, the Investment
Manager nor the Sub-Advisor shall be liable for failing to do so.
13. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the law of the
State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Act. To the extent the
applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein,
conflict with the applicable provisions of the Act, the latter shall control.
14. The Declaration of Trust establishing Dean Witter Premier Income
Trust, dated March 26, 1991, a copy of which is on file in the office of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name Dean
Witter Premier Income 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 Premier Income 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 Premier Income Trust, but the
Trust Estate only shall be liable.
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: ______________________________
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT L.P.
By ___________________________________
Attest: ______________________________
Accepted and agreed to as of
the day and year first above written:
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME
TRUST
By ___________________________________
Attest: ______________________________
6
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of this 30th day of June, 1993 between Dean Witter
Premier Income Trust, an incorporated business Fund organized under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the "Fund"), and Dean Witter Distributors
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor");
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company and it
is in the interest of the Fund to offer its shares for sale continuously; and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement with
each other with respect to the continuous offering of the Fund's transferable
shares of beneficial interest, of $.01 par value ("Shares"), in order to promote
the growth of the Fund and facilitate the distribution of its shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. (a) The fund hereby appoints
the Distributor as the principal underwriter of the Fund to sell Shares to the
public on the terms set forth in this Agreement and the Fund's Prospectus and
the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act hereunder. The
Fund, during the term of this Agreement, shall sell Shares to the Distributor
upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
(b) The Distributor agrees to purchase Shares, as principal for its own
account, from the Fund and to sell Shares as principal to investors and
securities dealers, including Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an affiliate of
the Distributor, upon the terms described herein and in the Fund's prospectus
(the "Prospectus") and statement of additional information included in the
Fund's registration statement (the "Registration Statement") most recently filed
from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and
effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and 1940
Act or as said Prospectus may be otherwise amended or supplemented and filed
with the SEC pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.
SECTION 2. EXCLUSIVE NATURE OF DUTIES. The Distributor shall be the
exclusive principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund, except that the
exclusive rights granted to the Distributor to sell the Shares shall not apply
to Shares issued by the Fund: (i) in connection with the merger or consolidation
of any other investment company or personal holding company with the Fund or the
acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or substantially all) the assets or
the outstanding shares of any such company by the Fund; or (ii) pursuant to
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions; or (iii) pursuant to
the reinstatement privilege afforded redeeming shareholders.
SECTION 3. PURCHASE OF SHARES FROM THE FUND. (a) The Distributor shall
have the right to buy from the Fund the Shares needed, but not more than the
Shares needed (except for clerical errors in transmission), to fill
unconditional orders for Shares placed with the Distributor by investors and
securities dealers. The price which the Distributor shall pay for the Shares so
purchased from the Fund shall be the net asset value, determined as set forth in
the Prospectus, used in determining the public offering price on which such
orders were based.
(b) The Shares are to be resold by the Distributor at the public offering
price, as set forth in Section 3(c) hereof to investors or to securities dealers
including DWR, who have entered into selected dealer agreements with the
Distributor pursuant to Section 7 ("Selected Dealers").
(c) The public offering price(s) of the Shares, i.e., the price per share
at which the Distributor may sell Shares to the public, shall be the public
offering price as set forth in the Prospectus relating to such Shares, but not
to exceed the net asset value at which the Distributor is to purchase the
shares, plus a sales charge not to exceed 3.0% of the public offering price,
subject to reductions for volume purchases. If the public offering price does
not equal an even cent, the public offering price may be adjusted to the nearest
cent. All payments to the Fund hereunder shall be made in the manner set forth
in Section 3(e).
1
<PAGE>
(d) The Fund shall have the right to suspend the sale of the Shares at
times when redemption is suspended pursuant to the conditions set forth in
Section 4(d) hereof. The Fund shall also have the right to suspend the sale of
the Shares if trading on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended,
if a banking moratorium shall have been declared by federal or New York
authorities, or if there shall have been some other extraordinary event which,
in the judgment of the Fund, makes it impracticable to sell the Shares.
(e) The Fund, or any agent of the Fund designated in writing by the Fund,
shall be promptly advised of all purchase orders for Shares received by the
Distributor. Any order may be rejected by the Fund; provided, however, that the
Fund will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept orders
for the purchase of Shares. The Distributor will confirm orders upon their
receipt, and the Fund (or its agent) upon receipt of payment therefor and
instructions will deliver share certificates for such Shares or a statement
confirming the issuance of Shares. Payment shall be made to the Fund in New York
Clearing House funds. The Distributor agrees to cause such payment and such
instructions to be delivered promptly to the Fund (or its agent).
With respect to Shares sold by any Selected Dealer, the Distributor is
authorized to direct the Fund's transfer agent to receive instructions directly
from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor as to registration of
Shares in the names of investors and to confirm issuance of the Shares to such
investors. The Distributor is also authorized to instruct the transfer agent to
receive payment directly from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor,
for prompt transmittal to the Fund's custodian, of the purchase price of the
Shares. In such event the Distributor shall obtain from the Selected Dealer and
maintain a record of such registration instructions and payments.
SECTION 4. REPURCHASE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES. (a) Any of the outstanding
Shares may be tendered for redemption at any time, and the Fund agrees to redeem
the Shares so tendered in accordance with the applicable provisions set forth in
the Prospectus. The price to be paid to redeem the Shares shall be equal to the
net asset value determined as set forth in the Prospectus. All payments by the
Fund hereunder shall be made in the manner set forth below. The redemption by
the Fund of any of the Shares purchased by or through the Distributor will not
affect the sales charge secured by the Distributor in the course of the original
sale, except that if any Shares are tendered for redemption within seven
business days after the date of the confirmation of the original purchase, the
right to the sales charge shall by forfeited by the Distributor.
Upon any redemption of Shares the Fund shall pay the total amount of the
redemption price in accordance with applicable provisions of the Prospectus in
New York Clearing House funds.
(b) The Distributor is authorized, as agent for the Fund, to repurchase
Shares, represented by a share certificate which is delivered to any office of
the Distributor in accordance with applicable provisions set forth in the
Prospectus. The Distributor shall promptly transmit to the transfer agent of the
Fund for redemption all Shares so delivered. The Distributor shall be
responsible for the accuracy of instructions transmitted to the Fund's transfer
agent in connection with all such repurchases.
(c) The Distributor is authorized, as agent for the Fund, to repurchase
Shares held in a shareholder's account with the Fund for which no share
certificate has been issued, upon the telephonic or telegraphic request of the
shareholder, or at the discretion of the Distributor. The Distributor shall
promptly transmit to the transfer agent of the Fund, for redemption, all such
orders for repurchase of shares. Payment for shares repurchased may be made by
the Fund to the Distributor for the account of the shareholder. The Distributor
shall be responsible for the accuracy of instructions transmitted to the Fund's
transfer agent in connection with all such repurchases.
With respect to Shares tendered for redemption or repurchase by any
Selected Dealer on behalf of its customers, the Distributor is authorized to
instruct the transfer agent of the Fund to accept orders for redemption or
repurchase directly from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor and to
instruct the Fund to transmit payments for such redemptions and repurchases
directly to the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor for the account of
the shareholder. The Distributor shall obtain from the Selected Dealer and
maintain a record of such orders. The Distributor is further authorized to
obtain from the Fund and shall maintain, a record of payments made directly to
the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor.
2
<PAGE>
(d) Redemption of Shares or payment by the Fund may be suspended at times
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed, when trading on said Exchange is
restricted, when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by 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
during any other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission, by order,
so permits.
SECTION 5. DUTIES OF THE FUND. (a) The Fund shall furnish to the
Distributor copies of all information, financial statements and other papers
which the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with the
distribution of the Shares, including one certified copy, upon request by the
Distributor, of all financial statements prepared by the Fund and examined by
independent accountants. The Fund shall, at the expense of the Distributor, make
available to the Distributor such number of copies of the Prospectus as the
Distributor shall reasonably request.
(b) The Fund shall take, from time to time, but subject to the necessary
approval of its shareholders, all necessary action to fix the number of its
authorized Shares and to register Shares under the 1933 Act, to the end that
there will be available for sale such number of Shares as investors may
reasonably be expected to purchase.
(c) The Fund shall use its best efforts to qualify and maintain the
qualification of an appropriate number of the Shares for sale under the
securities laws of such states as the Distributor and the Fund may approve. Any
such qualification may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the Fund at any
time in its discretion. As provided in Section 8(c) hereof, the expense of
qualification and maintenance of qualification shall be borne by the Fund. The
Distributor shall furnish such information and other material relating to its
affairs and activities as may be required by the Fund in connection with such
qualification.
(d) The Fund shall, at the expense of the Distributor, furnish, in
reasonable quantities upon request by the Distributor, copies of annual and
interim reports by the Fund.
SECTION 6. DUTIES OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. (a) The Distributor shall sell
Shares of the Fund through DWR and may sell Shares through other securities
dealers and its own Account Executives and shall devote reasonable time and
effort to promote sales of the Shares, but shall not be obligated to sell any
specific number of Shares. The services of the Distributor hereunder are not
exclusive and it is understood that the Distributor acts as principal
underwriter for other registered investment companies and intends to do so in
the future. It is also understood that Selected Dealers, including DWR, may also
sell shares for other registered investment companies.
(b) The Distributor and any Selected Dealers shall not give any information
or make any representations, other than those contained in the Registration
Statement or related Prospectus and any sales literature specifically approved
by the Fund.
(c) The Distributor agrees that it will comply with the terms and
limitations of the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of
Security Dealers, Inc. (NASD).
SECTION 7. SELECTED DEALER AGREEMENTS. (a) The Distributor shall have the
right to enter into selected dealers agreements with Selected Dealers for the
sale of Shares. In making agreements with Selected Dealers, the Distributor
shall act only as principal and not as agent for the Fund. Shares sold to
Selected Dealers shall be for resale by such dealers only at the public offering
price set forth in the Prospectus.
(b) Within the United States, the Distributor shall offer and sell Shares
only to Selected Dealers that are members in good standing of the NASD.
(c) The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures, as approved by the
Fund, for the confirmation of sales of Shares to investors and Selected Dealers,
the collection of amounts payable by investors and Selected Dealers on such
sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary to
comply with the requirements of the NASD, as such requirements may from time to
time exist.
SECTION 8. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. (a) The Fund shall bear all costs and
expenses of the Fund, including fees and disbursements of legal counsel
including counsel to the Trustees of the Fund who are
3
<PAGE>
not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or the
Distributor, and independent accountants, in connection with the preparation and
filing of any required Registration Statements and Prospectuses and Statements
of Additional Information and all amendments and supplements thereto, and the
expense of preparing, printing, mailing and otherwise distributing prospectuses
and statements of additional information, annual or interim reports or proxy
materials to shareholders.
(b) After the Prospectuses and annual and interim reports have been
prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders, the Distributor shall bear the
costs and expenses of printing and distributing any copies thereof which are
used in connection with the offering of Shares to investors. The Distributor
shall bear the costs and expenses of preparing, printing and distributing any
supplementary sales literature used by the Distributor in connection with the
offering of the Shares for sale. Any expenses of advertising incurred in
connection with such offering will also be the obligation of the Distributor.
(c) The Fund shall bear the cost and expenses of qualification of the
Shares for sale, and, if necessary or advisable in connection therewith, of
qualifying the Fund as a broker or dealer, in such states of the United States
or other jurisdictions as shall be selected by the Fund and the Distributor
pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof and the cost and expenses payable to each such
state for continuing qualification therein until the Fund decides to discontinue
such qualification pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof.
SECTION 9. INDEMNIFICATION. (a) The Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Distributor and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor against
any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of
investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith), arising by reason
of any person acquiring any Shares, which may be based upon the 1933 Act, or on
any other statute or at common law, on the ground that the Registration
Statement or related Prospectus and Statements of Additional Information, as
from time to time amended and supplemented, or an annual or interim reports to
shareholders of the Fund, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information
furnished to the Fund in connection therewith by or on behalf of the
Distributor; provided, however, that in no case (i) is the indemnity of the Fund
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 the Fund or its security holders to which the Distributor or any
such controlling persons would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or
by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement; or (ii) is the Fund to be liable under its indemnity agreement
contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against the
Distributor or any such controlling persons, unless the Distributor or any such
controlling persons, as the case may be, shall have notified the Fund in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the
Distributor or such controlling persons (or after the Distributor or such
controlling persons shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have to the person against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this
paragraph. The Fund will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the
defense or if it so elects, to assume the defense, of any suit brought to
enforce any such liability, but if the Fund elects to assume the defense, such
defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the
Distributor or such controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in
the suit. In the event the Fund elects to assume the defense of any such suit
and retain such counsel, the Distributor or such controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by them, but, in case the Fund does not elect to
assume the defense of any such suit, it will reimburse the Distributor or such
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the
reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Fund shall
promptly notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or
proceedings against it or any of its officers or trustees in connection with the
issuance or sale of the Shares.
4
<PAGE>
(b) (i) The Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each
of its trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Fund
against any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense described in the
foregoing indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, but only with
respect to statements or omissions made in reliance upon, and in conformity
with, information furnished to the Fund in writing by or on behalf of the
Distributor for use in connection with the Registration Statement or related
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as from time to time may be
amended, or the annual or interim reports to shareholders.
(ii) The Distributor shall idemnify and hold harmless the Fund and the
Fund's transfer agent, individually and in its capacity as the Fund's transfer
agent, from and against any claims, damages and liabilities which arise as a
result of actions taken pursuant to instructions from, or on behalf of, the
Distributor to: (1) redeem all or a part of shareholder accounts in the Fund
pursuant to subsection 4(c) hereof and pay the proceeds to, or as directed by,
the Distributor for the account of each shareholder whose Shares are so
redeemed; and (2) register Shares in the names of investors, confirm the
issuance thereof and receive payment therefor pursuant to subsection 3(e).
(iii) In case any action shall be brought against the Fund or any person so
indemnified by this subsection 9(b) in respect of which indemnity may be sought
against the Distributor, the Distributor shall have the rights and duties given
to the Fund, and the Fund and each person so indemnified shall have the rights
and duties given to the Distributor by the provisions of subsection (a) of this
Section 9.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b)
above in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to herein, then each indemnifying party
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Fund on the one hand and the Distributor on the other
from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the
immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Fund on the one hand and
the Distributor on the other in connection with the statements or omissions
which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative benefits received by the Fund on the one hand and
the Distributor on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the
total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the
Fund bear to the total compensation received by the Distributor, in each case
set forth in the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Fund or the Distributor and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission. The Fund and the Distributor agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to above. The amount paid or payable by an
indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damage, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to
include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in connection with investigating or defending any such claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (c), the Distributor shall not
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Shares distributed by it to the public were offered to the
public exceeds the amount of any damages which it has otherwise been required to
pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any
person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
SECTION 10. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement
shall become effective as of the date first above written and shall remain in
force until April 30, 1994, and thereafter, but only so long as such continuance
is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Board of
5
<PAGE>
Trustees of the Fund, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, cast in person or by proxy, and (ii) a majority of those
Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such
party and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement or
in the operation of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan or in any agreement related
thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting upon such
approval.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any
penalty, by the Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by the Distributor, on sixty days'
written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall automatically terminate
in the event of its assignment.
The terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"assignment" and "interested person", when used in this Agreement, shall have
the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act.
SECTION 11. AMENDMENTS OF THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be amended by
the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by (i) the Trustees
of the Fund, or by the vote of a majority of outstanding voting securities of
the Fund, and (ii) a majority of those Trustees of the Fund who are not parties
to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party and who have no direct
or indirect financial interest in this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
SECTION 12. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the law of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the 1940
Act. To the extent that the applicable law of the State of New York, or any of
the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act,
the latter shall control.
SECTION 13. PERSONAL LIABILITY. The Declaration of Fund establishing Dean
Witter Premier Income Trust, dated March 27, 1991 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 Premier Income 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 Premier Income 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 Premier Income Trust, but the
Fund Estate only shall be liable.
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 PREMIER INCOME TRUST
By: ____________________________________
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By: ____________________________________
6
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
SELECTED DEALERS AGREEMENT
Gentlemen:
Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") has a distribution
agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with Dean Witter Premier Income Trust,
a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), pursuant to which it acts as the
Distributor for the sale of the Fund's shares of beneficial interest, par value
$0.01 per share (the "Shares"). Under the Distribution Agreement, the
Distributor has the right to distribute Shares for resale.
The Fund is an open-end management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Shares being offered to the
public are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. You have
received a copy of the Distribution Agreement between us and the Fund and
reference is made herein to certain provisions of such Distribution Agreement.
The terms used herein, including "Prospectus" and "Registration Statement" of
the Fund and "Selected Dealer" shall have the same meaning in this Agreement as
in the Distribution Agreement. As principal, we offer to sell shares to you, as
a Selected Dealer, upon the following terms and conditions:
1. In all sales of Shares to the public you shall act as dealer for your
own account, and in no transaction shall you have any authority to act as agent
for the Fund, for us or for any other Selected Dealer.
2. Orders received from you will be accepted through us or on our behalf
only at the net asset value applicable to each order plus any applicable sales
charge (the "public offering price"), as set forth in the current Prospectus.
The procedure relating to the handling of orders shall be subject to
instructions which we or the Fund shall forward from time to time to you. All
orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by the Distributor or the Fund in
the sole discretion of either.
3. You shall not place orders for any Shares unless you have already
received purchase orders for such Shares at the public offering price, and
subject to the terms hereof and of the Distribution Agreement and the
Prospectus. You agree that you will not offer or sell any of the Shares except
under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable Federal
and state securities laws and that in connection with sales and offers to sell
Shares you will furnish to each person to whom any such sale or offer is made a
copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) and will not furnish to
any person any information relating to the Shares, which is inconsistent in any
respect with the information contained in the Prospectus (as then amended or
supplemented) or cause any advertisement to be published by radio or television
or in any newspaper or posted in any public place or use any sales promotional
material without our consent and the consent of the Fund.
4. The Distributor will compensate you for sales of shares of the Fund
and personal services to Fund shareholders by paying you a portion of the
applicable sales charge and/or other commissions, which may be in the form of a
gross sales credit and/or an annual residual commission or service fee, under
the terms and in the percentage amounts as may be in effect from time to time by
the Distributor.
5. You shall not withhold placing orders received from your customers so
as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding; e.g., by a change in the
"net asset value" from that used in determining the offering price to your
customers.
6. If any Shares sold to you under the terms of this Agreement are
repurchased by us for the account of the Fund or are tendered for redemption
within seven business days after the date of the confirmation of the original
purchase by you, it is agreed that you shall forfeit your right to, and refund
to us, any sales charge or other commission received by you on such Shares.
7. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning the
Shares or the Fund except those contained in the current Prospectus and in such
printed information subsequently issued by us or
1
<PAGE>
the Fund as information supplemental to such Prospectus. In purchasing Shares
through us you shall rely solely on the representations contained in the
Prospectus and supplemental information above mentioned. Any printed
information which we furnish you other than the Prospectus and the Fund's
periodic reports and proxy solicitation material are our sole responsibility and
not the responsibility of the Fund, and you agree that the Fund shall have no
liability or responsibility to you in these respects unless expressly assumed in
connection therewith.
8. You agree to deliver to each of the purchasers making purchases from
you a copy of the then current Prospectus at or prior to the time of offering or
sale and you agree thereafter to deliver to such purchasers copies of the annual
and interim reports and proxy solicitation materials of the Fund. You further
agree to endeavor to obtain proxies from such purchasers. Additional copies of
the Prospectus, annual or interim reports and proxy solicitation materials of
the Fund will be supplied to you in reasonable quantities upon request.
9. You are hereby authorized (i) to place orders directly with the Fund
or its agent for shares of the Fund to be sold by us to you subject to the
applicable terms and conditions governing the placement of orders for the
purchase of Fund shares, as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, and (ii) to
tender shares directly to the Fund or its agent for redemption subject to the
applicable terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement.
10. We reserve the right in our discretion, without notice, to suspend
sales or withdraw the offering of Shares entirely. Each party hereto has the
right to cancel this agreement upon notice to the other party.
11. We shall have full authority to take such action as we may deem
advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the distribution and
redemption of Fund shares. We shall be under no liability to you except for
lack of good faith and for obligations expressly assumed by us herein. Nothing
contained in this paragraph is intended to operate as, and the provisions of
this paragraph shall not in any way whatsoever constitute, a waiver by you of
compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or of
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued
thereunder.
12. You represent that you are a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and, with respect to any sales in the United States, we
both hereby agree to abide by the Rules of Fair Practice of such Association.
13. Upon application to us, we will inform you as to the states in which
we believe the Shares have been qualified for sale under, or are exempt from the
requirements of, the respective securities laws of such states, but we assume no
responsibility or obligation as to your right to sell Shares in any
jurisdiction.
14. All communications to us should be sent to the address shown below.
Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at the
address specified by you below.
15. This Agreement should 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 ____________________________________
(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: _____________________________________
By: ___________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________
________________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________
2
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
with
DEAN WITTER TRUST COMPANY
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of DWTC. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Article 2 Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of DWTC. . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 4 Representations and Warranties of the
Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and
DWTC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Article 7 Duration and Termination of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Article 8 Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Article 9 Affiliations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article 10 Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article 11 Applicable Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article 12 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article 13 Merger of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 14 Personal Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
-i-
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT made as of the 1st day of August, 1993
by and between each of the Dean Witter Funds listed on the signature pages
hereof, each of such Funds acting severally on its own behalf and not jointly
with any of such other Funds (each such Fund hereinafter referred to as the
"Fund"), each such Fund having its principal office and place of business at Two
World Trade Center, New York, New York, 10048, and DEAN WITTER TRUST COMPANY, a
trust company organized under the laws of New Jersey, having its principal
office and place of business at Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey
City, New Jersey 07311 ("DWTC").
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint DWTC as its transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and DWTC desires to
accept such appointment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
-1-
<PAGE>
Article 1 TERMS OF APPOINTMENT; DUTIES OF DWTC
1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints DWTC to act as, and DWTC agrees
to act as, the transfer agent for each series and class of shares of the Fund,
whether now or hereafter authorized or issued ("Shares"), dividend disbursing
agent and shareholder servicing agent in connection with any accumulation, open-
account or similar plans provided to the holders of such Shares ("Shareholders")
and set out in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional
information ("prospectus") of the Fund, including without limitation any
periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program.
1.2 DWTC agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with procedures established from time to time
by agreement between the Fund and DWTC, DWTC shall:
(i) Receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares,
and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation therefor to the
custodian of the assets of the Fund (the "Custodian");
-2-
<PAGE>
(ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number
of Shares and issue certificates therefor or hold such Shares in book form in
the appropriate Shareholder account;
(iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and redemption
directions and deliver the appropriate documentation therefor to the Custodian;
(iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid
to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause to be
paid over in the appropriate manner such monies as instructed by the redeeming
Shareholders;
(v) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof
upon receipt of appropriate instructions;
(vi) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and
distributions declared by the Fund;
(vii) Calculate any sales charges payable by a Shareholder on
purchases and/or redemptions of Shares of the Fund as such charges may be
reflected in the prospectus;
(viii) Maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and
its Shareholders as to the foregoing; and
-3-
<PAGE>
(ix) Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain
pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934
Act") a record of the total number of Shares of the Fund which are authorized,
based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. DWTC
shall also provide to the Fund on a regular basis the total number of Shares
which are authorized, issued and outstanding and shall notify the Fund in case
any proposed issue of Shares by the Fund would result in an overissue. In case
any issue of Shares would result in an overissue, DWTC shall refuse to issue
such Shares and shall not countersign and issue any certificates requested for
such Shares. When recording the issuance of Shares, DWTC shall have no
obligation to take cognizance of any Blue Sky laws relating to the issue of sale
of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund.
(b) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth in
the above paragraph (a), DWTC shall: (i) perform all of the customary services
of a transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant, shareholder
servicing agent in connection with dividend reinvestment, accumulation, open-
account or similar plans (including without limitation any periodic investment
plan or periodic withdrawal program), including but not limited to, maintaining
all Shareholder accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists,
-4-
<PAGE>
mailing proxies, receiving and tabulating proxies, mailing shareholder reports
and prospectuses to current Shareholders, withholding taxes on U.S. resident and
non-resident alien accounts, preparing and filing appropriate forms required
with respect to dividends and distributions by federal tax authorities for all
Shareholders, preparing and mailing confirmation forms and statements of account
to Shareholders for all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirm-
able transactions in Shareholder accounts, preparing and mailing activity
statements for Shareholders and providing Shareholder account information; (ii)
open any and all bank accounts which may be necessary or appropriate in order to
provide the foregoing services; and (iii) provide a system which will enable the
Fund to monitor the total number of Shares sold in each State or other
jurisdiction.
(c) In addition, the Fund shall (i) identify to DWTC in writing
those transactions and assets to be treated as exempt from Blue Sky reporting
for each State and (ii) verify the establishment of transactions for each State
on the system prior to activation and thereafter monitor the daily activity for
each State. The responsibility of DWTC for the Fund's registration status under
the Blue Sky or securities laws of any State or other jurisdiction is solely
limited to the initial establishment of transactions subject to Blue Sky
compliance by the Fund and the reporting of such transactions
-5-
<PAGE>
to the Fund as provided above and as agreed from time to time by the Fund and
DWTC.
(d) DWTC shall provide such additional services and functions
not specifically described herein as may be mutually agreed between DWTC and
the Fund. Procedures applicable to such services may be established from time
to time by agreement between the Fund and DWTC.
Article 2 FEES AND EXPENSES
2.1 For performance by DWTC pursuant to this Agreement, each
Fund agrees to pay DWTC an annual maintenance fee for each Shareholder account
and certain transactional fees, if applicable, as set out in the respective fee
schedule attached hereto as Schedule A. Such fees and out-of-pocket expenses
and advances identified under Section 2.2 below may be changed from time to time
subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund and DWTC.
2.2 In addition to the fees paid under Section 2.1 above, the
Fund agrees to reimburse DWTC in connection with the services rendered by DWTC
hereunder. In addition, any other expenses incurred by DWTC at the request or
with the consent of the Fund will be reimbursed by the Fund.
2.3 The Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses
within a reasonable period of time
-6-
<PAGE>
following the mailing of the respective billing notice. Postage for mailing of
dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other mailings to all Shareholder accounts
shall be advanced to DWTC by the Fund upon request prior to the mailing date of
such materials.
Article 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DWTC
DWTC represents and warrants to the Fund that:
3.1 It is a trust company duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of New Jersey and it is duly qualified to carry on
its business in New Jersey.
3.2 It is and will remain registered with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a Transfer Agent pursuant to the requirements
of Section 17A of the 1934 Act.
3.3 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and
By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.4 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.5 It has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under
this Agreement.
-7-
<PAGE>
Article 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE FUND
The Fund represents and warrants to DWTC that:
4.1 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of Delaware or Maryland or a trust duly organized and
existing and in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts, as the case may
be.
4.2 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the case may be, and under its By-Laws
to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.3 All corporate proceedings necessary to authorize it to
enter into and perform this Agreement have been taken.
4.4 It is an investment company registered with the SEC under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
4.5 A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "1933 Act") is currently effective and will remain effective, and
appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be
made, with respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
-8-
<PAGE>
Article 5 DUTY OF CARE AND INDEMNIFICATION
5.1 DWTC shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall
indemnify and hold DWTC harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages,
costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or
attributable to:
(a) All actions of DWTC or its agents or subcontractors required
to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in
good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) The Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of
this Agreement, or which arise out of the Fund's lack of good faith, negligence
or willful misconduct or which arise out of breach of any representation or
warranty of the Fund hereunder.
(c) The reliance on or use by DWTC or its agents or
subcontractors of information, records and documents which (i) are received by
DWTC or its agents or subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf of the
Fund, and (ii) have been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund or any other
person or firm on behalf of the Fund.
(d) The reliance on, or the carrying out by DWTC or its agents
or subcontractors of, any instructions or requests
-9-
<PAGE>
of the Fund.
(e) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement
under the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities or Blue Sky
laws of any State or other jurisdiction that such Shares be registered in such
State or other jurisdiction or in violation of any stop order or other
determination or ruling by any federal agency or any State or other jurisdiction
with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such State or other
jurisdiction.
5.2 DWTC shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from or
against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,
expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure
or omission to act by DWTC as a result of the lack of good faith, negligence or
willful misconduct of DWTC, its officers, employees or agents.
5.3 At any time, DWTC may apply to any officer of the Fund for
instructions, and may consult with legal counsel to the Fund, with respect to
any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by DWTC under
this Agreement, and DWTC and its agents or subcontractors shall not be liable
and shall be indemnified by the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in
reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. DWTC, its
agents and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon any
paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Fund, reasonably believed to
be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any
instruction, information, data, records or documents provided to DWTC or its
agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or
other similar means authorized by the Fund, and shall not be held to have notice
of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice
thereof from the Fund. DWTC, its
-10-
<PAGE>
agents and subcontractors shall also be protected and indemnified in recognizing
stock certificates which are reasonably believed to bear the proper manual or
facsimile signature of the officers of the Fund, and the proper countersignature
of any former transfer agent or registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or co-
registrar.
5.4 In the event either party is unable to perform its
obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes,
equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or
other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for
damages to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or
otherwise from such causes.
-11-
<PAGE>
5.5 Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other
party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any
act or failure to act hereunder.
5.6 In order that the indemnification provisions contained in
this Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party
may be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall
promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other
party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party
who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the
party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim. The party seeking
indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any
case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the
other party's prior written consent.
Article 6 DOCUMENTS AND COVENANTS OF THE FUND AND DWTC
6.1 The Fund shall promptly furnish to DWTC the following:
(a) If a corporation:
(i) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors
of the Fund authorizing the appointment of DWTC and the execution and delivery
of this Agreement;
-12-
<PAGE>
(ii) A certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation and By-
Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto;
(iii) Certified copies of each vote of the Board of Directors
designating persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Fund and
signature cards bearing the signature of any officer of the Fund or any other
person authorized to sign written instructions on behalf of the Fund;
(iv) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in the
form approved by the Board of Directors, with a certificate of the Secretary of
the Fund as to such approval;
(b) If a business trust:
(i) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees
of the Fund authorizing the appointment of DWTC and the execution and delivery
of this Agreement;
(ii) A certified copy of the Declaration of Trust and By-laws of
the Fund and all amendments thereto;
(iii) Certified copies of each vote of the Board of Trustees
designating persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Fund and
signature cards bearing the signature of any officer of the Fund or any other
person authorized to sign written instructions on behalf of the Fund;
-13-
<PAGE>
(iv) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in the
form approved by the Board of Trustees, with a certificate of the Secretary of
the Fund as to such approval;
(c) The current registration statements and any amendments and
supplements thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to the requirements of the 1933
Act or the 1940 Act;
(d) All account application forms or other documents relating to
Shareholder accounts and/or relating to any plan, program or service offered or
to be offered by the Fund; and
(e) Such other certificates, documents or opinions as DWTC deems
to be appropriate or necessary for the proper performance of its duties.
6.2 DWTC hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and
procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of Share
certificates, check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any;
and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such certificates,
forms and devices.
6.3 DWTC shall prepare and keep records relating to the services
to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable and
as required by applicable laws and regulations. To the extent required by
-14-
<PAGE>
Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, DWTC
agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by DWTC relating to the
services performed by DWTC hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be
preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section 31 of
the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and will be surrendered
promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with its request.
6.4 DWTC and the Fund agree that all books, records, information
and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or
received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall
remain confidential and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person
except as may be required by law or with the prior consent of DWTC and the Fund.
6.5 In case of any request or demands for the inspection of the
Shareholder records of the Fund, DWTC will endeavor to notify the Fund and to
secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Fund as to such
inspection. DWTC reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder
records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held
liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
-15-
<PAGE>
Article 7 DURATION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
7.1 This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until
July 31, 1996 and from year-to-year thereafter unless terminated by either party
as provided in Section 7.2 hereof.
7.2 This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund on 60 days
written notice, and by DWTC on 90 days written notice, to the other party
without payment of any penalty.
7.3 Should the Fund exercise its right to terminate, all out-of-
pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and other materials will
be borne by the Fund. Additionally, DWTC reserves the right to charge for any
other reasonable fees and expenses associated with such termination.
Article 8 ASSIGNMENT
8.1 Except as provided in Section 8.3 below, neither this
Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either
party without the written consent of the other party.
8.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
-16-
<PAGE>
8.3 DWTC may, in its sole discretion and without further consent
by the Fund, subcontract, in whole or in part, for the performance of its
obligations and duties hereunder with any person or entity including but not
limited to companies which are affiliated with DWTC; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
such person or entity has and maintains the qualifications, if any, required to
perform such obligations and duties, and that DWTC shall be as fully responsible
to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any agent or subcontractor as it is
for its own acts or omissions under this Agreement.
Article 9 AFFILIATIONS
9.1 DWTC may now or hereafter, without the consent of or notice
to the Fund, function as transfer agent and/or shareholder servicing agent for
any other investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act and for
any other issuer, including without limitation any investment company whose
adviser, administrator, sponsor or principal underwriter is or may become
affiliated with Dean Witter, Discover & Co. or any of its direct or indirect
subsidiaries or affiliates.
9.2 It is understood and agreed that the Directors or Trustees
(as the case may be), officers, employees, agents and shareholders of the Fund,
and the directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of the
-17-
<PAGE>
Fund's investment adviser and/or distributor, are or may be interested in DWTC
as directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders or otherwise, and
that the directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of DWTC may be
interested in the Fund as Directors or Trustees (as the case may be), officers,
employees, agents and shareholders or otherwise, or in the investment adviser
and/or distributor as directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders or
otherwise.
Article 10 AMENDMENT
10.1 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written
agreement executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of
the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees (as the case may be) of the
Fund.
Article 11 APPLICABLE LAW
11.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions
thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
Article 12 MISCELLANEOUS
21.1 In the event that one or more additional investment
companies managed or administered by Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. or any of its
affiliates ("Additional Funds") desires to retain DWTC to act as transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and/or shareholder servicing agent,
-18-
<PAGE>
and DWTC desires to render such services, such services shall be provided
pursuant to a letter agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto,
between DWTC and each Additional Fund.
12.2 In the event of an alleged loss or destruction of any Share
certificate, no new certificate shall be issued in lieu thereof, unless there
shall first be furnished to DWTC an affidavit of loss or non-receipt by the
holder of Shares with respect to which a certificate has been lost or destroyed,
supported by an appropriate bond satisfactory to DWTC and the Fund issued by a
surety company satisfactory to DWTC, except that DWTC may accept an affidavit of
loss and indemnity agreement executed by the registered holder (or legal
representative) without surety in such form as DWTC deems appropriate
indemnifying DWTC and the Fund for the issuance of a replacement certificate, in
cases where the alleged loss is in the amount of $1000 or less.
12.3 In the event that any check or other order for payment of
money on the account of any Shareholder or new investor is returned unpaid for
any reason, DWTC will (a) give prompt notification to the Fund's distributor
("Distributor") (or to the Fund if the Fund acts as its own distributor) of such
non-payment; and (b) take such other action, including imposition of a
reasonable processing or handling fee, as DWTC
-19-
<PAGE>
may, in its sole discretion, deem appropriate or as the Fund and, if applicable,
the Distributor may instruct DWTC.
12.4 Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given in writing to the Fund or to DWTC shall be
sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office
set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in
writing.
To the Fund:
[Name of Fund]
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Attention: General Counsel
To DWTC:
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
Attention: President
Article 13 MERGER OF AGREEMENT
13.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject
matter hereof whether oral or written.
-20-
<PAGE>
Article 14 PERSONAL LIABILITY
14.1 In the case of a Fund organized as a Massachusetts business
trust, a copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with the
Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that
this instrument is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as
Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are
not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are
binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund; provided, however, that
the Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the assets of a particular
Series of the Fund shall under no circumstances be charged with liabilities
attributable to any other Series of the Fund and that all persons extending
credit to, or contracting with or having any claim against, a particular Series
of the Fund shall look only to the assets of that particular Series for payment
of such credit, contract or claim.
-21-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amended and
Restated Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and
through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above
written.
(1) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(2) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(3) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(4) Dean Witter Retirement Series
(5) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(6) Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(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 Equity Income Trust
(15) Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(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 Managed Assets Trust
(22) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(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 Premier Income 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
-22-
<PAGE>
(40) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(41) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(42) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(43) Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
(44) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
By:/s/ Sheldon Curtis
-----------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President and General Counsel
ATTEST:
/s/ Barry Fink
- ---------------------------
Barry Fink
Assistant Secretary
DEAN WITTER TRUST COMPANY
By:/s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
-----------------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/ David A. Hughey
- ---------------------------
David A. Hughey
Executive Vice President
-23-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
Gentlemen:
The undersigned,( Name of Fund ) a (Massachusetts
business trust/Maryland Corporation) (the "Fund"), desires to employ and appoint
Dean Witter Trust Company ("DWTC") to act as transfer agent for each series and
class of shares of the Fund, whether now or hereafter authorized or issued
("Shares"), dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent, registrar
and agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar plan
provided to the holders of Shares, including without limitation any periodic
investment plan or periodic withdrawal plan.
The Fund hereby agrees that, in consideration for the payment by the
Fund to DWTC of fees as set out in the fee schedule attached hereto as Schedule
A, DWTC shall provide such services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement annexed
hereto, as if the Fund was a signatory thereto.
-24-
<PAGE>
Please indicate DWTC's acceptance of employment and appointment by the
Fund in the capacities set forth above by so indicating in the space provided
below.
Very truly yours,
[ Fund Name ]
By:__________________________________
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President and General Counsel
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:
DEAN WITTER TRUST COMPANY
By:_______________________
Its:______________________
Date:_____________________
-25-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
Fund: Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
Fees: (1) Annual maintenance fee of $11.50 per shareholder account,
payable monthly.
(2) A fee equal to 1/12 of the fee set forth in (1) above, for
providing Forms 1099 for accounts closed during the year, payable
following the end of the calendar year.
(3) Out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with Section 2.2 of the
Agreement.
(4) Fees for additional services not set forth in this Agreement
shall be as negotiated between the parties.
-26-
<PAGE>
SERVICES AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 31st day of December, 1993 by and between Dean
Witter InterCapital Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein referred to as
"InterCapital"), and Dean Witter Services Company Inc., a New Jersey 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
1
<PAGE>
reasonably require in order to discharge its duties and obligations to the Fund
under this Agreement or to comply with any applicable law and regulation or
request of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund.
4. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by 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, 1994, 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
2
<PAGE>
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 mutual written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.
11. 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 December 31, 1993
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 California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
7. Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
8. Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
9. Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
10. Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
11. Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
12. Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
13. Dean Witter Equity Income Trust
14. Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
15. Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
16. Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
17. Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
18. Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
19. Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
20. Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
21. Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
22. Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
23. Dean Witter Managed Assets Trust
24. Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
25. Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
26. Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
27. Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
28. Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
29. Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
30. Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
31. Dean Witter Retirement Series
32. Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
33. Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
34. Dean Witter Strategist Fund
35. Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
36. Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
37. Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
38. Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
39. Dean Witter Utilities Fund
40. Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
41. Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
42. Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
43. Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
Closed-End Funds
44. High Income Advantage Trust
45. High Income Advantage Trust II
46. High Income Advantage Trust III
47. InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
48. Dean Witter Government Income Trust
49. InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
50. InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
51. InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
52. InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
53. InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
54. InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
55. InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
56. InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
57. InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
4
<PAGE>
Schedule B
DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY
SCHEDULE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES - JANUARY 1, 1994
Monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the following annual rates to
a fund's net assets:
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust 0.050% to the net assets.
5
<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. 3 to the registration
statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated
December 27, 1993, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights
of Dean Witter Premier Income Trust, which appears in such Statement of
Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference of our report into
the Prospectus which constitutes part of this Registration Statement. We also
consent to the references to us under the headings "Independent Accountants" and
"Experts" in such Statement of Additional Information and to the reference to us
under the heading "Financial Highlights" in such Prospectus.
PRICE WATERHOUSE
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York
January 3, 1994
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATIONS OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
(A) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (I.E. STANDARDIZED COMPUTATIONS)
_ _
| ______________________ |
FORMULA: | | |
| /\ n | ERV |
T = | \ | ------------- | - 1
| \ | P |
| \| |
|_ _|
T = AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND RETURN
n = NUMBER OF YEARS
ERV = ENDING REDEEMABLE VALUE
P = INITIAL INVESTMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(A)
$1,000 ERV AS OF AGGREGATE NUMBER OF AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P 31-Oct-93 TOTAL RETURN YEARS - n COMPOUND RETURN - T
- ------------- --------- -------------- ---------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
31-Oct-92 $997.90 -0.21% 1.00 -0.21%
01-Jul-91 $1,116.90 11.69% 2.34 4.85%
</TABLE>
(B) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (STANDARIZED COMPUTATIONS) WITHOUT WAIVER OF
FEES AND ASSUMPTION OF EXPENSES.
_ _
| ______________________ |
FORMULA: | | |
| /\ n | EVb |
tb = | \ | ------------- | - 1
| \ | P |
| \| |
|_ _|
tb = AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND RETURN
(DEDUCTION FOR EXPENSES ASSUMED BY FUND MANAGER)
n = NUMBER OF YEARS
EVb = ENDING VALUE (DEDUCTION FOR EXPENSES
ASSUMED BY FUND MANAGER)
P = INITIAL INVESTMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(B)
$1,000 EVb AS OF NUMBER OF AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P 31-Oct-93 YEARS - n COMPOUND RETURN - tb
- ------------- ----------- ----------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
01-Jul-91 $1,116.20 2.34 4.82%
</TABLE>
(C) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE
SALES CHARGE (NON STANDARD COMPUTATIONS)
(D) TOTAL RETURN WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE
(NON STANDARD COMPUTATIONS)
_ _
| ______________________ |
FORMULA: | | |
| /\ n | EV |
t = | \ | ------------- | - 1
| \ | P |
| \| |
|_ _|
EV
TR = ---------- - 1
P
t = AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND RETURN
(NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
n = NUMBER OF YEARS
EV = ENDING VALUE (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
P = INITIAL INVESTMENT
TR = TOTAL RETURN (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(D) (C)
$1,000 EV AS OF TOTAL NUMBER OF AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P 31-Oct-93 RETURN - TR YEARS - n COMPOUND RETURN - t
- ------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
31-Oct-92 $1,028.70 2.87% 1.00 2.87%
01-Jul-91 $1,151.40 15.14% 2.34 6.22%
</TABLE>
(E) GROWTH OF $10,000*
(F) GROWTH OF $50,000*
(G) GROWTH OF $100,000*
FORMULA: G= (TR+1)*P
G= GROWTH OF INITIAL INVESTMENT
P= INITIAL INVESTMENT
TR= TOTAL RETURN SINCE INCEPTION
*ORIGINAL VALUE $9,700,$48,500 & $97,000 RESPECTIVELY ADJUSTED FOR 3.0 % SALES
CHARGE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(E) (F) (G)
$10,000* TOTAL GROWTH OF GROWTH OF GROWTH OF
INVESTED - P RETURN - TR $10,000 INVESTMENT - G$50,000 INVESTMENT - G $100,000 INVESTMENT - G
- ------------ ------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
01-Jul-91 0.1514 $11,169 $55,843 $111,686
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER PREMIER INCOME TRUST
SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF YIELD QUOTATION
10/31/93
6
YIELD = 2{[((a-b) /cd) +1]-1}
WHERE: a=Dividends and interest earned during the period
b=Expenses accrued for the period
c=The average daily number of shares outstanding
during the period that were entitled to receive
dividends
d=The maximum offering price per share on the last
day of the period
6
YIELD = 2 {[((664,276.19-151,922.16)/10,513,161.514 X 9.06) +1] -1}
=6.542334%
