<PAGE>
Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c)
Registration File No.: 33-48172
GRAPHIC OMITTED
D E A N W I T T E R
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R E T I R E M E N T S E R I E S
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O C T O B E R 3 1 , 1 9 9 7
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P R O S P E C T U S E N C L O S E D
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<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 31, 1997
DEAN WITTER RETIREMENT SERIES
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048 (212) 392-2550 OR (800)
869-NEWS (TOLL-FREE)
DEAN WITTER RETIREMENT SERIES (the "Fund") is an open-end, no-load,
management investment company which provides a selection of investment
portfolios for institutional and individual investors participating in
various employee benefit plans and Individual Retirement Account rollover
plans. Each Series has its own investment objective and policies. Shares of
the Fund are sold and redeemed at net asset value without the imposition of a
sales charge. Dean Witter Distributors Inc., the Fund's Distributor (the
"Distributor"), and any of its affiliates are authorized, in accordance with
a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, entered into by the Fund with the Distributor and
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., to make payments, out of their own resources, for
expenses incurred in connection with the promotion of distribution of shares
of the Fund.
The LIQUID ASSET SERIES seeks high current income, preservation of capital
and liquidity by investing in corporate and government money market
instruments.
The U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET SERIES seeks security of principal, high
current income and liquidity by investing primarily in money market
instruments which are issued and/or guaranteed, as to principal and interest,
by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
The U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SERIES seeks high current income consistent
with safety of principal by investing in a diversified portfolio of
obligations issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
instrumentalities.
The INTERMEDIATE INCOME SECURITIES SERIES seeks high current income
consistent with safety of principal by investing primarily in intermediate
term, investment grade fixed-income securities.
The AMERICAN VALUE SERIES seeks long-term growth consistent with an effort
to reduce volatility by investing principally in common stock of companies in
industries which, at the time of the investment, are believed to be
attractively valued given their above average relative earnings growth
potential at that time.
The CAPITAL GROWTH SERIES seeks long-term capital growth by investing
primarily in common stocks selected through utilization of a computerized
screening process.
The DIVIDEND GROWTH SERIES seeks to provide reasonable current income and
long-term growth of income and capital by investing primarily in the common
stock of companies with a record of paying dividends and the potential for
increasing dividends.
The STRATEGIST SERIES seeks to maximize its total return by actively
allocating its assets among the major asset categories of equity securities,
fixed-income securities and money market instruments.
The UTILITIES SERIES seeks to provide current income and long-term growth
of income and capital by investing in equity and fixed-income securities of
companies in the public utilities industry.
The VALUE-ADDED MARKET SERIES' investment objective is to achieve a high
level of total return on its assets through a combination of capital
appreciation and current income. It seeks to achieve this objective by
investing, on an equally-weighted basis, in a diversified portfolio of common
stocks of the companies which are represented in the Standard & Poor's 500
Composite Stock Price Index.
The GLOBAL EQUITY SERIES' investment objective is to achieve a high level
of total return on its assets, primarily through long-term capital growth
and, to a lesser extent, from income. It seeks to achieve this objective
through investments in all types of common stocks and equivalents, preferred
stocks and bonds and other debt obligations of domestic and foreign companies
and governments and international organizations.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE LIQUID ASSET, U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET AND/OR
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SERIES IS NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE
U.S. GOVERNMENT. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE LIQUID ASSET OR U.S.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET
VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE.
SHARES OF SERIES 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.
The availability of the various methods of purchase and redemption of
shares of the Fund and other shareholder services will be governed by the
parameters set forth in the investor's employee benefit plan.
<PAGE>
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 October 31, 1997, 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
above. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by
reference.
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.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Summary/2
Summary of Fund Expenses/6
Financial Highlights/8
The Fund and its Management/12
Investment Objectives and Policies/13
Liquid Asset Series/13
U.S. Government Money Market Series/15
U.S. Government Securities Series/16
Intermediate Income Securities Series/19
American Value Series/20
Capital Growth Series/21
Dividend Growth Series/22
Strategist Series/23
Utilities Series/24
Value-Added Market Series/26
Global Equity Series/27
General Investment Techniques and
Risk Considerations/28
Investment Restrictions/37
Determination of Net Asset Value/39
Purchase of Fund Shares/40
Shareholder Services/41
Redemptions and Repurchases/43
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes/45
Performance Information/46
Additional Information/47
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
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<S> <C>
The The Fund is organized as a Trust, commonly known as a Massachusetts business trust, and is an
Fund open-end management investment company. The Fund is comprised of eleven separate Series: the
Liquid Asset Series, the U.S. Government Money Market Series, the U.S. Government Securities
Series, the Intermediate Income Securities Series, the American Value Series, the Capital Growth
Series, the Dividend Growth Series, the Strategist Series, the Utilities Series, the Value-Added
Market Series, and the Global Equity Series (see page 13). The Trustees of the Fund may establish
additional Series at any time.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Each Series is managed for investment purposes as if it were a separate fund issuing a separate
Offered class of shares of beneficial interest, with $0.01 par value. The assets of each Series are
segregated, so that an interest in the Fund is limited to the assets of the Series in which shares
are held and shareholders are each entitled to a pro rata share of all dividends and distributions
arising from the net income and capital gains, if any, on the investments of such Series (see page
47).
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering The price of the shares of each Series of the Fund offered by this Prospectus is determined once
Price daily as of 4:00 p.m., New York time (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to
4:00 p.m., at such earlier time), on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open, and is
equal to the net asset value per share without a sales charge (see page 39). Purchases are limited
to institutional and individual investors participating in various employee benefit plans and
Individual Retirement Account ("IRA") rollover plans; there is no minimum initial or subsequent
purchase. The Fund and/or the Distributor reserve the right to permit purchases by non-employee
benefit plan investors.
2
<PAGE>
Investment Each Series has distinct investment objectives and policies, and is subject to various investment
Objectives and restrictions, some of which apply to all Series. The Liquid Asset Series seeks high current
Policies income, preservation of capital and liquidity by investing in the following money market
instruments: U.S. Government securities, obligations of U.S. regulated banks and savings
institutions having total assets of more than $1 billion, or less than $1 billion if such are
fully federally insured as to principal (the interest may not be insured) and high grade corporate
debt obligations maturing in thirteen months or less (see pages 13-15). The U.S. Government Money
Market Series seeks security of principal, high current income and liquidity by investing
primarily in money market instruments maturing in thirteen months or less which are issued and/or
guaranteed, as to principal and interest, by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities (see pages 15-16). The U.S. Government Securities Series seeks high current
income consistent with safety of principal by investing in a diversified portfolio of obligations
issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its instrumentalities (see pages 16-19). The
Intermediate Income Securities Series seeks high current income consistent with safety of
principal by investing primarily in intermediate term, investment grade fixed-income securities
(see pages 19-20). The American Value Series seeks long-term growth consistent with an effort to
reduce volatility by investing primarily in common stock of companies in industries which, at the
time of the investment, are believed to be attractively valued given their above average relative
earnings growth potential at that time (see pages 20-21). The Capital Growth Series seeks
long-term capital growth by investing primarily in common stocks selected through utilization of a
computerized screening process (see pages 21-22). The Dividend Growth Series seeks to provide
reasonable current income and long-term growth of income and capital by investing primarily in the
common stock of companies with a record of paying dividends and the potential for increasing
dividends (see pages 22-23). The Strategist Series seeks to maximize its total return by actively
allocating its assets among the major asset categories of equity securities, fixed-income
securities and money market instruments (see pages 23-24). The Utilities Series seeks to provide
current income and long-term growth of income and capital by investing in equity and fixed-income
securities of companies in the public utilities industry. The Utilities Series will concentrate
its investments in the electric utilities industry (see pages 24-26). The Value-Added Market
Series' investment objective is to achieve a high level of total return on its assets through a
combination of capital appreciation and current income. It seeks to achieve this objective by
investing, on an equally-weighted basis, in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of the
companies which are represented in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (see
pages 26-27). The Global Equity Series' investment objective is a high level of total return on
its assets primarily through long-term capital growth and, to a lesser extent, from income. It
seeks to achieve this objective through investments in all types of common stocks and equivalents
(such as convertible securities and warrants), preferred stocks and bonds and other debt
obligations of domestic and foreign companies and governments and international organizations
(see pages 27-28).
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital" or the "Investment Manager"), the Investment Manager
Manager of the Fund, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., serve in various
investment management, advisory, management and administrative capacities to one hundred and two
investment companies and other portfolios with assets of approximately $102.3 billion at September
30, 1997 (see page 12).
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management The Investment Manager receives monthly fees at the following annual rates of the daily net assets
Fees of the respective Series of the Fund: Liquid Asset Series--0.50%; U.S. Government Money Market
Series--0.50%; U.S. Government Securities Series--0.65%; Intermediate Income Securities
Series--0.65%; American Value Series--0.85%; Capital Growth Series--0.85%; Dividend Growth
Series--0.75%; Strategist Series--0.85%; Utilities Series--0.75%; Value-Added Market
Series--0.50%; and Global Equity Series--1.0%. The management fees for the American Value, Capital
Growth, Dividend Growth, Strategist, Utilities and Global Equity Series are higher than those paid
by most investment companies (see page 12).
3
<PAGE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and The Liquid Asset Series and the U.S. Government Money Market Series declare and reinvest all
Capital Gains dividends daily and pay cash dividends monthly; the U.S. Government Securities Series and the
Distributions Intermediate Income Securities Series declare dividends from net investment income daily and pay
such dividends monthly; the Dividend Growth Series and the Utilities Series declare and pay
dividends from net investment income quarterly; the American Value Series, the Capital Growth
Series, the Strategist Series, the Value-Added Market Series and the Global Equity Series declare
and pay dividends from net investment income at least once each year. Each Series of the Fund
makes capital gains distributions, if any, at least annually. All dividends and distributions are
automatically reinvested in additional shares at net asset value unless the shareholder elects to
receive cash (see pages 45-46).
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributor Dean Witter Distributors Inc. is the distributor of the Fund's shares. The Distributor and Dean
Witter Reynolds Inc. have entered into a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), with the Fund, authorizing the Distributor
and any of its affiliates to make payments, out of their resources, for expenses incurred in
connection with the promotion of distribution of the Fund's shares (see pages 40-41).
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Redemption Shares of the Fund may be redeemed at their net asset value (see pages 43-45).
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions (unless otherwise requested); Systematic
Services Payroll Deduction Plan; Exchange Privilege; Systematic Withdrawal Plan (see pages 41-43).
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risks The Liquid Asset Series invests solely in U.S. Government securities, high quality corporate debt
obligations and obligations of banks and savings and loan associations having assets of $1 billion
or more and certificates of deposit which are fully insured as to principal; consequently, the
portfolio securities of the Series are subject to minimal risk of loss of income and principal.
However, the investor is directed to the discussions of "repurchase agreements" (page 28) and
"reverse repurchase agreements" (page 28) concerning any risks associated with these investment
techniques. The U.S. Government Money Market Series invests principally in high quality,
short-term fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Such securities are subject to minimal risk of loss
of income and principal. However, shareholders should also refer to the discussions of "repurchase
agreements" (page 28), "when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments" (page
28) and "reverse repurchase agreements" (page 28). The U.S. Government Securities Series invests
only in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government which are subject to minimal risk
of loss of income and principal. The value of the securities holdings of the U.S. Government
Securities Series and, thereby, the net asset value of its shares, may increase or decrease due to
various factors, principally changes in prevailing interest rates. Generally, a rise in interest
rates will result in a decrease in the net asset value per share. In addition, the average life of
certain of the securities held in the U.S. Government Securities Series (e.g., GNMA Certificates)
may be shortened by prepayments or refinancings of the mortgage pools underlying such securities
(pages 16-19). Such prepayments may have an impact on dividends paid by the U.S. Government
Securities Series. Shareholders should also refer to the discussions of "repurchase agreements,"
"when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments" and "zero coupon securities"
(pages 28-29). The net asset value of the shares of the Intermediate Income Securities Series will
fluctuate with changes in the market value of its securities holdings. The Series may invest in
securities rated "BBB" by Standard & Poor's Corporation or "Baa" by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc., which securities have speculative characteristics. Shareholders should also refer to the
discussions of "when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments" (page 28),
"when, as and if issued securities" (page 29), "zero coupon securities" (page 29) and "reverse
repurchase agreements" (page 28). The American Value Series' emphasis on attractive industries may
run contrary to general market assessments and may involve risks associated with departure from
typical S&P 500 industry weightings. It should be recognized that the American Value Series'
investments in small and medium-capitalization companies involves greater risk than is customarily
associated with
4
<PAGE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
investing in larger, more established companies. Shareholders should also refer to the discussions
of "repurchase agreements" (page 28), "when, as and if issued securities" (page 29) and "warrants"
(page 29). The net asset value of the shares of the Capital Growth Series will fluctuate with
changes in the market value of its portfolio securities. The Capital Growth Series may purchase
foreign, when-issued and delayed delivery, and when, as and if issued securities, and futures and
options, which may be considered speculative in nature and may involve greater risks than those
customarily assumed by other investment companies which do not invest in such instruments (pages
28-36). The net asset value of the shares of the Dividend Growth Series will fluctuate with
changes in the market value of its securities holdings. Dividends payable by the Dividend Growth
Series will vary in relation to the amounts of dividends and interest paid by its securities
holdings. Shareholders should also refer to the discussions of "repurchase agreements" (page 28),
"when, as and if issued securities" (page 29) and "warrants" (page 29). The net asset value of the
shares of Strategist Series will fluctuate with changes in the market value of its portfolio
securities. The level of income payable to the investor will vary depending upon the market
allocation determined by the Investment Manager and with various market determinants such as
interest rates. The Series may make various investments and may engage in various investment
strategies including options and futures transactions (pages 28-36), when-issued and delayed
delivery securities and forward commitments (page 28), when, as and if issued securities (page 28)
and repurchase agreements (page 28). The Strategist Series is "non-diversified" and is therefore
not subject to the diversification requirements of the Act. This non-diversified status allows the
Strategist Series to increase its investment in the securities of an individual issuer, and,
thereby, subjects the Series to greater exposure to any risks pertaining to investment in the
issuer's securities (page 23). The net asset value of the shares of the Utilities Series
fluctuates with changes in the market value of its securities holdings. The public utilities
industry has certain characteristics and risks, and developments within that industry will have an
impact on the Utilities Series. The value of public utility debt securities (and, to a lesser
extent, equity securities) tends to have an inverse relationship to the movement of interest
rates. Shareholders should also refer to the discussions of "repurchase agreements" (page 28),
"when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments" (page 28), "when, as and if
issued securities" (page 28), "zero coupon securities" (page 29), and "foreign securities" (pages
31-32). The net asset value of the shares of the Value-Added Market Series will fluctuate with
changes in the market value of its securities holdings. Dividends payable by the Value-Added
Market Series will vary in relation to the amounts of income paid by its securities holdings.
Shareholders should also refer to the discussion of "repurchase agreements" (page 28) and "options
and futures transactions" (pages 33-36). The Global Equity Series is intended for long-term
investors who can accept the risks involved in investments in the securities of companies and
countries located throughout the world. It should be recognized that investing in such securities
involves different and perhaps greater risks than are customarily associated with securities of
domestic companies or trading in domestic markets. In addition, shareholders should consider risks
inherent in an international portfolio, including exchange fluctuations and exchange controls, and
certain of the investment policies which the Global Equity Series may employ, including
transactions in forward foreign currency exchange contracts (see pages 31-33). Moreover, the
expenses of the Global Equity Series are likely to be greater than those incurred by other Series
in the Fund and other investment companies which invest primarily in securities of domestic
issuers. The Intermediate Income Securities, American Value, Capital Growth, Strategist,
Utilities, Value-Added Market and Global Equity Series may write call options on securities held
in their portfolios without limit (see pages 33-35). Certain of the Series of the Fund may
experience high portfolio turnover rates with corresponding higher transaction expenses and
potentially adverse tax consequences. See "Portfolio Trading" (pages 36-37).
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
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The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of
the Fund will incur. The expenses and fees set forth in the table are for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 1997.
Shareholder Transaction Expenses (for each Series)
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases................ None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends .... None
Deferred Sales Charge.................................... None
Redemption Fees.......................................... None
Exchange Fee............................................. None
Annual Operating Expenses (as a Percentage of Average Net Assets for the year
ended July 31, 1997)*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Intermediate
U.S. Government U.S. Government Income American Capital
Liquid Asset Money Market Securities Securities Value Growth
Series Series Series Series Series Series
-------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees*
(after fee waiver) ... 0.46% 0.30% 0.10% 0.00% 0.64% 0.0 %
12b-1 Fees............. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other Expenses*
(after expense
assumption)........... 0.54 0.70 0.90 1.00 0.36 1.00
Total Series Operating
Expenses.............. 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dividend Value-Added
Growth Strategist Utilities Market Global Equity
Series Series Series Series Series
---------- ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees*
(after fee waiver) ... 0.75% 0.45% 0.00% 0.48% 0.15%
12b-1 Fees............. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other Expenses*
(after expense
assumption)........... 0.22 0.55 1.00 0.52 0.85
Total Series Operating
Expenses.............. 0.97 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
</TABLE>
*Pursuant to an undertaking, the Investment Manager assumed all expenses
relating to each Series' operations (except for any brokerage fees and a
portion of organizational expenses) and waived the compensation provided for
in its Management Agreement with respect to each Series until December 31,
1995. The Investment Manager has undertaken to continue to assume, until
December 31, 1997, such expenses and to waive the compensation provided for
in its Management Agreement with respect to each Series to the extent that
such expenses and compensation on an annualized basis exceed 1.00% of the
daily net assets of the Series.
6
<PAGE>
Example
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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Intermediate
U.S. Government U.S. Government Income American Capital
Liquid Asset Money Market Securities Securities Value Growth
Series Series Series Series Series Series
-------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 year..... $ 10 $ 10 $ 10 $ 10 $ 10 $ 10
3 years.... 32 32 32 32 32 32
5 years.... 55 55 55 55 55 55
10 years .. 122 122 122 122 122 122
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dividend Value-Added
Growth Strategist Utilities Market Global Equity
Series Series Series Series Series
---------- ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 year..... $ 10 $ 10 $ 10 $ 10 $ 10
3 years.... 31 32 32 32 32
5 years.... 54 55 55 55 55
10 years .. 119 122 122 122 122
</TABLE>
THE ABOVE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE
EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OF THE FUND MAY BE GREATER OR LESS
THAN THOSE SHOWN.
"Management Fees" (after fee waiver) and "Other Expenses" (after expense
assumption) have been restated to reflect current fees and expenses.
If administrative services are performed by Dean Witter Trust FSB ("DWT"),
the Fund's Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and an affiliate of the
Investment Manager, on behalf of an employee benefit plan, it may charge fees
for such services which are negotiated between each employee benefit plan and
DWT.
It is estimated that total operating expenses for each Series for the
fiscal year ending July 31, 1998, assuming no waiver of management fees or
assumption of expenses, and calculated using average net assets for the year
ended July 31, 1997, would be:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Intermediate
U.S. Government U.S. Government Income American Capital
Liquid Asset Money Market Securities Securities Value Growth
Series Series Series Series Series Series
-------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees........ 0.50% 0.50% 0.65% 0.65% 0.85% 0.85%
12b-1 Fees............. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other Expenses......... 0.54 0.70 0.90 1.35 0.36 2.31
Total Series Operating
Expenses.............. 1.04 1.20 1.55 2.00 1.21 3.16
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dividend Value-Added
Growth Strategist Utilities Market Global Equity
Series Series Series Series Series
---------- ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees........ 0.75% 0.85% 0.75% 0.50% 1.00%
12b-1 Fees............. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other Expenses......... 0.22 0.55 1.03 0.52 0.85
Total Series Operating
Expenses.............. 0.97 1.40 1.78 1.02 1.85
</TABLE>
The purpose of these tables 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."
7
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent accountants. The financial highlights should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements, notes thereto, and the unqualified
report of independent accountants which are contained in the Statement of
Additional Information. Further information about the performance of the
Fund's Series is contained in the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders, which
may be obtained without charge upon request to the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET
NET ASSET REALIZED TOTAL
YEAR VALUE NET AND TOTAL FROM DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS
ENDED BEGINNING INVESTMENT UNREALIZED INVESTMENT TO TO AND
JULY 31 OF PERIOD INCOME GAIN (LOSS) OPERATIONS SHAREHOLDERS SHAREHOLDERS DISTRIBUTIONS
- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
LIQUID ASSET
1993 (1) $ 1.00 $0.02 -- $ 0.02 $(0.02) -- $(0.02)
1994 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) -- (0.03)
1995 1.00 0.06 -- 0.06 (0.06) -- (0.06)
1996 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) -- (0.05)
1997 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) -- (0.05)
U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET
1993 (2) 1.00 --++ -- -- -- -- --
1994 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) -- (0.03)
1995 1.00 0.06 -- 0.06 (0.06) -- (0.06)
1996 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) -- (0.05)
1997 1.00 0.04 -- 0.04 (0.04) -- (0.04)
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
1993 (3) 10.00 0.19 $ 0.07 0.26 (0.20) -- (0.20)
1994 10.06 0.44 (0.50) (0.06) (0.44) -- (0.44)
1995 9.56 0.56 0.15 0.71 (0.56) -- (0.56)
1996 9.71 0.55 (0.12) 0.43 (0.55) -- (0.55)
1997 9.59 0.56 0.34 0.90 (0.56) $(0.02) (0.58)
INTERMEDIATE INCOME SECURITIES
1993 (4) 10.00 0.19 (0.02) 0.17 (0.19) -- (0.19)
1994 9.98 0.60 (0.57) 0.03 (0.60) -- (0.60)
1995 9.41 0.61 0.22 0.83 (0.61) -- (0.61)
1996 9.63 0.59 (0.21) 0.38 (0.59) (0.01) (0.60)
1997 9.41 0.53 0.26 0.79 (0.53) -- (0.53)
AMERICAN VALUE
1993 (5) 10.00 0.06 (0.01) 0.05 -- -- --
1994 10.05 0.03 (0.09) (0.06) (0.02) (0.04) (0.06)
1995 9.93 0.14 3.15 3.29 (0.12) -- (0.12)
1996 13.10 0.09 1.17 1.26 (0.15) (1.13) (1.28)
1997 13.08 0.02 5.12 5.14 (0.04) (1.22) (1.26)
</TABLE>
- ------------
* After application of the Fund's expense limitation.
+ Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day
of the period.
++ Includes dividends from net investment income of $0.004 per share.
(a) Not annualized.
(b) Annualized.
Commencement of operations:
(1) December 30, 1992. (4) January 12, 1993.
(2) January 20, 1993. (5) February 1, 1993.
(3) January 8, 1993.
8
<PAGE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATIOS TO AVERAGE RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
NET ASSETS ASSETS
(BEFORE EXPENSES WERE (AFTER EXPENSES WERE
ASSUMED) ASSUMED)
-------------------------- --------------------------
NET ASSET NET ASSETS
VALUE TOTAL END OF NET NET PORTFOLIO AVERAGE
END OF INVESTMENT PERIOD INVESTMENT INVESTMENT TURNOVER COMMISSION
PERIOD RETURN+ (000'S) EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS) EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS) RATE RATE PAID
- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 1.00 1.77%(a) $ 1,081 1.30%(b) 0.53%(b) 0.14%(b) 3.02%(b) N/A N/A
1.00 3.48 1,524 2.50* 0.99 -- 3.49 N/A N/A
1.00 5.90 35,631 1.16 4.96 -- 6.12 N/A N/A
1.00 5.44 42,753 0.65 5.05 0.33 5.37 N/A N/A
1.00 4.57 21,213 1.04 4.43 1.00 4.47 N/A N/A
1.00 0.42 (a) 125 2.50* (b) (0.95)(b) 2.13 (b) 0.83 (b) N/A N/A
1.00 3.52 555 2.50* 0.82 -- 3.32 N/A N/A
1.00 5.86 10,695 2.50* 3.62 -- 6.12 N/A N/A
1.00 5.23 6,628 0.82 4.75 0.37 5.21 N/A N/A
1.00 4.51 4,041 1.20 4.17 1.00 4.37 N/A N/A
10.06 2.60 (a) 1,756 1.81 (b) 0.33 (b) 0.18 (b) 3.66 (b) -- N/A
9.56 (0.69) 2,954 2.50* 1.96 -- 4.46 29 % N/A
9.71 7.72 4,209 2.36 3.49 -- 5.85 14 N/A
9.59 4.49 8,651 1.48 4.70 0.63 5.55 47 N/A
9.91 9.70 10,496 1.55 5.24 1.00 5.79 89 N/A
9.98 1.67 (a) 182 2.50* (b) 1.00 (b) 1.62 (b) 3.50 (b) -- N/A
9.41 0.26 460 2.50* 3.64 -- 6.14 40 N/A
9.63 9.22 994 2.50* 4.08 -- 6.58 37 N/A
9.41 3.95 4,172 1.58 5.01 0.72 5.87 142 N/A
9.67 8.63 2,456 2.00 4.50 1.00 5.50 132 N/A
10.05 0.50 (a) 308 2.50*(b) (0.66)(b) 0.74 (b) 1.10 (b) 121 (a) --
9.93 (0.59) 6,841 2.50* (0.81) -- 1.69 136 --
13.10 33.48 22,581 1.42 0.39 -- 1.81 234 --
13.08 9.83 40,321 1.18 0.23 0.65 0.76 301 $0.0543
16.96 41.62 54,214 1.21 (0.11) 1.00 0.10 261 0.0552
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Continued
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent accountants. The financial highlights should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements, notes thereto, and the unqualified
report of independent accountants which are contained in the Statement of
Additional Information. Further information about the performance of the
Fund's Series is contained in the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders, which
may be obtained without charge upon request to the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET
NET ASSET REALIZED TOTAL
YEAR VALUE NET AND TOTAL FROM DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS
ENDED BEGINNING INVESTMENT UNREALIZED INVESTMENT DIVIDENDS TO TO AND
JULY 31 OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) GAIN (LOSS) OPERATIONS SHAREHOLDERS SHAREHOLDERS DISTRIBUTIONS
- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CAPITAL GROWTH
1993 (4) $10.00 $(0.02) $(1.10) $(1.12) -- -- --
1994 8.88 0.13 0.45 0.58 $(0.04) -- $(0.04)
1995 9.42 0.10 1.77 1.87 (0.12) -- (0.12)
1996 11.17 0.07 1.55 1.62 (0.11) $(0.07) (0.18)
1997 12.61 (0.03) 5.41 5.38 (0.01) (0.32) (0.33)
DIVIDEND GROWTH
1993 (1) 10.00 0.13 0.58 0.71 (0.10) -- (0.10)
1994 10.61 0.28 0.37 0.65 (0.23) (0.01) (0.24)
1995 11.02 0.34 2.13 2.47 (0.31) (0.10) (0.41)
1996 13.08 0.32 1.76 2.08 (0.36) (0.19) (0.55)
1997 14.61 0.33 5.60 5.93 (0.33) (0.52) (0.85)
UTILITIES
1993 (2) 10.00 0.19 1.30 1.49 (0.14) -- (0.14)
1994 11.35 0.37 (0.95) (0.58) (0.34) (0.01) (0.35)
1995 10.42 0.42 0.80 1.22 (0.37) (0.02) (0.39)
1996 11.25 0.38 0.61 0.99 (0.45) -- (0.45)
1997 11.79 0.41 1.90 2.31 (0.32) -- (0.32)
VALUE-ADDED MARKET
1993 (3) 10.00 0.05 0.02 0.07 (0.04) -- (0.04)
1994 10.03 0.24 0.65 0.89 (0.11) -- (0.11)
1995 10.81 0.21 2.16 2.37 (0.26) (0.12) (0.38)
1996 12.80 0.25 1.17 1.42 (0.22) (0.07) (0.29)
1997 13.93 0.21 5.58 5.79 (0.25) (0.63) (0.88)
GLOBAL EQUITY
1993 (2) 10.00 0.07 (0.03) 0.04 -- -- --
1994 10.04 0.08 0.58 0.66 (0.05) -- (0.05)
1995 10.65 0.14 0.49 0.63 (0.11) -- (0.11)
1996 11.17 0.09 0.71 0.80 (0.18) -- (0.18)
1997 11.79 0.09 2.98 3.07 (0.06) (0.32) (0.38)
STRATEGIST
1993 (1) 10.00 0.06 (0.23) (0.17) -- -- --
1994 9.83 0.23 (0.20) 0.03 (0.13) -- (0.13)
1995 9.73 0.24 1.49 1.73 (0.18) -- (0.18)
1996 11.28 0.25 1.63 1.88 (0.34) (0.22) (0.56)
1997 12.60 0.37 2.96 3.33 (0.28) (0.48) (0.76)
</TABLE>
- ------------
* After application of the Fund's expense limitation.
+ Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day
of the period.
(a) Not annualized.
(b) Annualized.
Commencement of operations:
(1) January 7, 1993.
(2) January 8, 1993.
(3) February 1, 1993.
(4) February 2, 1993.
10
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
ASSETS ASSETS
(BEFORE EXPENSES WERE (AFTER EXPENSES WERE
ASSUMED) ASSUMED)
-------------------------- -------------------------
NET ASSET NET ASSETS
VALUE TOTAL END OF NET NET PORTFOLIO AVERAGE
END OF INVESTMENT PERIOD INVESTMENT INVESTMENT TURNOVER COMMISSION
PERIOD RETURN+ (000'S) EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS) EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS) RATE RATE PAID
- ----------- ------------- ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------- ------------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 8.88 (11.20)%(a) $ 135 2.50%*(b) (1.01)%(b) 1.97%(b) (0.47)%(b) 2%(a) --
9.42 6.57 215 2.50* (0.98) -- 1.52 11 --
11.17 20.08 678 2.50* (1.07) -- 1.43 20 --
12.61 14.58 1,988 2.50* (1.24) 0.76 0.50 68 $0.0536
17.66 43.46 3,670 3.16 (2.38) 1.00 (0.22) 147 0.0575
10.61 7.11 (a) 2,417 2.50* (b) 0.61 (b) 0.16 (b) 2.89 (b) 7 (a) --
11.02 6.13 12,821 1.51 1.78 -- 3.29 13 --
13.08 23.07 35,404 1.14 2.34 -- 3.48 29 --
14.61 16.09 69,763 1.00 2.07 0.63 2.44 18 0.0526
19.69 41.92 115,312 0.97 1.92 0.97 1.92 31 0.0537
11.35 14.98 (a) 1,334 2.50* (b) 1.59 (b) 0.30 (b) 3.79 (b) 8 (a) --
10.42 (5.23) 3,860 2.50* 1.62 -- 4.14 5 --
11.25 12.16 5,380 1.91 2.41 -- 4.32 24 --
11.79 8.76 7,593 1.52 2.31 0.62 3.20 17 0.0508
13.78 19.87 5,391 1.78 1.85 1.00 2.63 89 0.0508
10.03 0.71 (a) 640 2.50* (b) (0.16) (b) 0.92 (b) 1.42 (b) 1 (a) --
10.81 8.89 5,133 1.82 0.70 -- 2.53 8 --
12.80 22.65 14,080 1.22 1.33 -- 2.55 7 --
13.93 11.19 20,379 0.78 1.58 0.47 1.89 8 0.0300
18.84 43.12 23,780 1.02 1.04 1.00 1.07 23 0.0300
10.04 0.40 (a) 322 2.50* (b) (0.90) (b) 1.00 (b) 1.77 (b) -- --
10.65 6.54 2,020 2.50* 0.09 -- 2.41 8 --
11.17 6.08 7,286 2.25 0.48 -- 2.73 55 --
11.79 7.26 11,685 1.73 (0.15) 0.66 0.92 95 0.0500
14.48 26.66 19,797 1.85 (0.01) 1.00 0.84 80 0.0348
9.83 (1.70) (a) 551 2.50* (b) (0.19) (b) 0.64 (b) 1.67 (b) 26 (a) --
9.73 0.12 1,276 2.50* 0.70 -- 3.20 57 --
11.28 18.21 6,759 2.14 1.97 -- 4.11 115 --
12.60 16.97 17,496 1.61 1.92 0.66 2.86 113 0.0525
15.17 27.35 26,459 1.40 2.50 1.00 2.90 90 0.0535
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Retirement Series (the "Fund") is an open-end, no-load,
management investment company consisting of eleven separate Series: the
Liquid Asset Series, the U.S. Government Money Market Series, the U.S.
Government Securities Series, the Intermediate Income Securities Series, the
American Value Series, the Capital Growth Series, the Dividend Growth Series,
the Strategist Series, the Utilities Series, the Value-Added Market Series,
and the Global Equity Series. All of the Series, with the exception of the
Strategist Series, are diversified. The Fund is a trust of the type commonly
known as a "Massachusetts business trust" and was organized under the laws of
Massachusetts on May 14, 1992. The Distributor and any of its affiliates are
authorized, pursuant to a Plan of Distribution entered into by the Fund with
the Distributor and Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR") in accordance with Rule
12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), to make
payments for expenses, out of their own resources, incurred in connection
with the promotion of distribution of shares of the Fund.
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 Morgan Stanley,
Dean Witter, Discover & Co., a preeminent global financial services firm that
maintains leading market positions in each of its three primary
businesses--securities, asset management and credit services.
InterCapital and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company
Inc., serve in various investment management, advisory, management and
administrative capacities to a total of one hundred and two investment
companies (the "Dean Witter Funds"), thirty of which are listed on the New
York Stock Exchange, with combined assets of approximately $98.6 billion as
of September 30, 1997. The Investment Manager also manages portfolios of
pension plans, other institutions and individuals which aggregated
approximately $3.7 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and manage the investment of the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities. Inter-Capital has retained Dean Witter Services Company
Inc. to perform the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund.
The Fund's Board of Trustees review the various services provided by or
under the direction of the Investment Manager to ensure that the Fund's general
investment policies and programs are being properly carried out and that
administrative services are being provided to the Fund in a satisfactory
manner.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
annual rate of 0.50% to the net assets of the Liquid Asset Series; 0.50% to
the net assets of the U.S. Government Money Market Series; 0.65% to the net
assets of the U.S. Government Securities Series; 0.65% to the net assets of
the Intermediate Income Securities Series; 0.85% to the net assets of the
American Value Series; 0.85% to the net assets of the Capital Growth Series;
0.75% to the net assets of the Dividend Growth Series; 0.85% to the net
assets of the Strategist Series; 0.75% to the net assets of the Utilities
Series; 0.50% to the net assets of the Value-Added Market Series; and 1.0% to
the Global Equity Series, each business day. The management fees set forth
above for the American Value, Capital Growth, Dividend Growth, Strategist,
Utilities and Global Equity Series are higher than those paid by most
investment companies. Until December 31, 1995, the Investment Manager assumed
all expenses relating to each Series' operations (except for any brokerage
fees and a portion of organizational expenses) and waived the compensation
provided for in its Management Agreement with respect to each Series. The
Investment Manager has undertaken to continue to assume, until December 31,
1997, such expenses and to waive the compensation provided for in its
Management Agreement with respect to each Series to the extent that such
expenses and compensation on an annualized basis exceed 1.00% of the daily
net assets of the Series.
For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997, the Series accrued total
compensation to the Investment Manager and incurred total expenses, after
assumption of expenses by the Investment Manager, each as a percentage of
average daily net assets, as follows:
COMPENSATION TO TOTAL
INVESTMENT MANAGER EXPENSES
------------------ ----------
Liquid Asset................. 0.46% 1.00%
U.S. Government Money
Market...................... 0.30 1.00
U.S. Government Securities .. 0.10 1.00
Intermediate Income.......... 0.00 1.00
American Value............... 0.64 1.00
Capital Growth............... 0.00 1.00
Dividend Growth.............. 0.75 0.97
Strategist................... 0.45 1.00
Utilities.................... 0.00 1.00
Value-Added Market........... 0.48 1.00
Global Equity................ 0.15 1.00
12
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIQUID ASSET SERIES
The investment objectives of the Liquid Asset Series are high current
income, preservation of capital and liquidity. The investment objectives may
not be changed without approval of the Series' shareholders. The Series seeks
to achieve its objectives by investing in the following money market
instruments:
U.S. Government Securities. Obligations issued or guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the United States or its agencies (such as the
Export-Import Bank of the United States, Federal Housing Administration, and
Government National Mortgage Association) or its instrumentalities (such as
the Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Federal
Land Bank), including Treasury bills, notes and bonds;
Bank Obligations. Obligations (including certificates of deposit, bank
notes and bankers' acceptances) of banks subject to regulation by the U.S.
Government and having total assets of $1 billion or more, and instruments
secured by such obligations, not including obligations of foreign branches of
domestic banks;
Obligations of Savings Institutions. Certificates of deposit of savings
banks and savings and loan associations, having total assets of $1 billion or
more;
Fully Insured Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit of banks
and savings institutions having total assets of less than $1 billion, if the
principal amount of the obligation is federally insured by the Bank Insurance
Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund (each of which is administered
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), limited to $100,000 principal
amount per certificate and to 10% or less of the Series' total assets in all
such obligations and in all illiquid assets, in the aggregate;
Commercial Paper and Corporate Obligations. Commercial paper and corporate
debt obligations maturing in thirteen months or less which are rated in one
of the two highest rating categories for short-term debt obligations or, if
not rated, have been issued by issuers which have another short-term debt
obligation that is comparable in priority and security to such non-rated
securities and is so rated, by at least two nationally recognized statistical
rating organizations ("NRSROs") (or one NRSRO if the instrument was rated by
only one such organization) or which, if unrated, are of comparable quality
as determined in accordance with procedures established by the Trustees. The
NRSROs currently rating instruments of the type the Series may purchase are
Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's Corporation, Duff and
Phelps, Inc., Fitch Investors Service, Inc., IBCA Limited and IBCA Inc., and
Thomson BankWatch, Inc. Their rating criteria are described in the Appendix
to the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
The foregoing rating limitations apply at the time of acquisition of a
security. Any subsequent change in any rating by a rating service will not
require elimination of any security from the Series' portfolio. However, in
accordance with procedures adopted by the Fund's Trustees pursuant to federal
securities regulations governing money market funds, if the Investment
Manager becomes aware that a portfolio security has received a new rating
from an NRSRO that is below the second highest rating, then, unless the
security is disposed of within five days, the Investment Manager will perform
a creditworthiness analysis of any such downgraded securities, which analysis
will be reported to the Trustees who will, in turn, determine whether the
securities continue to present minimal credit risks to the Liquid Asset
Series.
The ratings assigned by the NRSROs represent their opinions as to the
quality of the securities they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized,
however, that the ratings are general and not absolute standards of quality.
Subject to the foregoing requirements, the Liquid Asset Series may invest
in commercial paper which has been issued pursuant to the "private placement"
exemption afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities Act") and which may be sold to institutional investors pursuant
to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Management considers such legally
restricted, but readily marketable, commercial paper to be liquid. However,
pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustees of the Fund, if a particular
investment in such commercial paper is determined to be illiquid, that
investment will be included within the 10% limitation on illiquid investments
(see "Investment Restrictions"). If at any time the Liquid Asset Series'
investments in
13
<PAGE>
illiquid securities exceed 10% of the Series' total assets, the Series will
dispose of illiquid securities in an orderly fashion to reduce the Series'
holdings in such securities to less than 10% of its total assets.
Variable Rate and Floating Rate Obligations. Certain of the types of
investments described above may be variable rate or floating rate
obligations. The interest rates payable on variable rate or floating rate
obligations are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market
rates. The interest rate payable on a variable rate obligation may be
adjusted at pre-designated periodic intervals and on a floating rate
obligation whenever there is a change in the market rate of interest on which
the interest rate payable is based.
Although the Liquid Asset Series will generally not seek profits through
short-term trading, it may dispose of any portfolio security prior to its
maturity if, on the basis of a revised credit evaluation of the issuer or
other circumstances or considerations, it believes such disposition
advisable.
The Liquid Asset Series will attempt to balance its objectives of high
income, capital preservation and liquidity by investing in securities of
varying maturities and risks. The Liquid Asset Series will not, however,
invest in securities that mature in more than thirteen months from the date
of purchase. The amounts invested in obligations of various maturities of
thirteen months or less will depend on management's evaluation of the risks
involved. Longer-term issues, while generally paying higher interest rates,
are subject, as a result of general changes in interest rates, to greater
fluctuations in value than shorter-term issues. Thus, when rates on new debt
securities increase, the value of outstanding securities may decline, and
vice versa. Such changes may also occur, but to a lesser degree, with
short-term issues. These changes, if realized, may cause fluctuations in the
amount of daily dividends and, in extreme cases, could cause the net asset
value per share to decline (see "Determination of Net Asset Value").
Longer-term issues also increase the risk that the issuer may be unable to
pay an installment of interest or principal at maturity. Also, in the event
of unusually large redemption demands, such securities may have to be sold at
a loss prior to maturity, or the Liquid Asset Series might have to borrow
money and incur interest expense. Either occurrence would adversely impact
the amount of daily dividend and could result in a decline in the daily net
asset value per share. The Liquid Asset Series will attempt to minimize these
risks by investing in longer-term securities when it appears to management
that interest rates on such securities are not likely to increase
substantially during the period of expected holding, and then only in
securities of high quality which are readily marketable. However, there can
be no assurance that the Series will be successful in achieving this or its
other objectives.
Private Placements. As stated above, the Liquid Asset Series may invest in
commercial paper issued in reliance on the so-called "private placement"
exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Securities Act") and which may be sold to other institutional
investors pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The adoption by the
Securities and Exchange Commission of Rule 144A, which permits the resale of
certain restricted securities to institutional investors, had the effect of
broadening and increasing the liquidity of the institutional trading market
for securities subject to restrictions on resale to the general public.
Section 4(2) commercial paper sold pursuant to Rule 144A is restricted in
that it can be resold only to qualified institutional investors. However,
since institutions constitute virtually the entire market for such commercial
paper, the market for such Section 4(2) commercial paper is, in reality, as
liquid as that for other commercial paper. While the Liquid Asset Series
generally holds to maturity commercial paper in its portfolio, the advent of
Rule 144A has greatly simplified the ability to sell Section 4(2) commercial
paper to other institutional investors.
Under procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Fund, the Liquid Asset
Series may purchase Section 4(2) commercial paper without being subject to
its limitation on illiquid investments and will be able to utilize Rule 144A
to sell that paper to other institutional investors. The procedures require
that the Investment Manager consider the following factors in determining
that any restricted security eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144A be
considered liquid: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security,
(2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential purchasers, (3) dealer undertakings to make a
market in the security, and (4) the nature of the security and the nature of
the marketplace trades (i.e., the time needed to dispose of the security, the
method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer). The Investment
Manager will report to the Trustees on a quarterly basis on all restricted
securities held by the Liquid Asset Series
14
<PAGE>
with regard to their ongoing liquidity. In the event any Section 4(2)
commercial paper or restricted security held by the Liquid Asset Series is
determined to be illiquid by the Trustees and the Investment Manager, that
investment would be included as an illiquid security subject to the
limitation on illiquid investments referred to above. Investing in Rule 144A
securities could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity to
the extent a Series, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find
qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing such securities.
The foregoing investment policies are not fund amental and may be changed
by the Trustees without shareholder vote.
U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET SERIES
The investment objectives of the U.S. Government Money Market Series are
security of principal, high current income and liquidity. There is no
assurance that the investment objectives will be achieved. These investment
objectives may not be changed without the approval of the shareholders of the
U.S. Government Money Market Series. The investment policies discussed below
may be changed without shareholder approval.
The U.S. Government Money Market Series seeks to achieve its objectives by
investing in U.S. Government securities, including a variety of securities
which are issued and/or guaranteed, as to principal and interest, by the
United States Treasury, by various agencies of the United States Government,
and by various instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by
the United States Government, and in certain interests in the foregoing
securities. Except for U.S. Treasury securities, these obligations, even
those which are guaranteed by Federal agencies or instrumentalities, may or
may not be backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States. In the
case of securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States, they may be backed, in part, by a line of credit with the U.S.
Treasury (such as the Federal National Mortgage Association), or the U.S.
Government Money Market Series must look to the agency issuing or
guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment (such as securities of the
Federal Farm Credit System), in which case the U.S. Government Money Market
Series may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in
the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitments. The
assumption of the liabilities of these agencies or instrumentalities by the
U.S. Government is discretionary and is not a lawful obligation.
Treasury securities include Treasury bills, Treasury notes, and Treasury
bonds. Some of the government agencies and instrumentalities which issue or
guarantee securities include the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Home
Loan Banks, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Government
National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the
Farmers Home Administration, the Federal Land Banks, the Small Business
Administration, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the Export-Import
Bank, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and the Banks for Cooperatives.
The U.S. Government Money Market Series may invest in securities issued or
guaranteed, as to principal and interest, by any of the foregoing entities or
by any other agency or instrumentality established or sponsored by the United
States Government. Such investments may take the form of participation
interests in, and may be evidenced by deposit or safekeeping receipts for,
any of the foregoing. Participation interests are pro rata interests in U.S.
Government securities such as interests in pools of mortgages sold by the
Government National Mortgage Association; instruments evidencing deposit or
safekeeping are documentary receipts for such original securities held in
custody by others.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is the administrative authority
over the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund,
which are the agencies of the U.S. Government which insure (including both
principal and interest) the deposits of certain banks and savings and loan
associations up to $100,000 per deposit. Current federal regulations also
permit such institutions to issue insured negotiable certificates of deposit
("CDs") in principal amounts of $100,000 or more without regard to the
interest rate ceilings on other deposits. To remain fully insured as to
principal, these investments must currently be limited to $100,000 per bank
or savings and loan association. The interest on such investments is not
insured. The U.S. Government Money Market Series may invest in such CDs of
banks and savings and loan institutions limited to the insured amount of
principal ($100,000) in each case and limited with regard to all such CDs and
all illiquid assets, in the aggregate, to 10% of the U.S. Government Money
Market Series' total assets.
15
<PAGE>
The U.S. Government Money Market Series intends normally to hold its
portfolio securities to maturity. Historically, securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities have
involved minimal risk of loss of principal or interest, if held to maturity.
The U.S. Government Money Market Series will generally not seek profits
through short-term trading, although it may dispose of any portfolio security
prior to maturity if, on the basis of a revised evaluation or other
circumstance or consideration, the Investment Manager deems such disposition
advisable.
The U.S. Government Money Market Series will attempt to balance its
objectives of security of principal, high current income and liquidity by
investing in securities of varying maturities and risks. The U.S. Government
Money Market Series will not, however, invest in securities with an effective
maturity of more than thirteen months from the date of purchase. The amounts
invested in obligations of various maturities of thirteen months or less will
depend on management's evaluation of the risks involved. Longer-term U.S.
Government issues, while generally paying higher interest rates, are subject
to greater fluctuations in value resulting from general changes in interest
rates than shorter-term issues. Thus, when rates on new securities increase,
the value of outstanding securities may decline, and vice versa. Such changes
may also occur, to a lesser degree, with short-term issues.
These changes, if realized, may cause fluctuations in the amount of daily
dividends and, in extreme cases, could cause the net asset value per share to
decline (see "Determination of Net Asset Value"). In the event of unusually
large redemption demands, such securities may have to be sold at a loss prior
to maturity, or the U.S. Government Money Market Series might have to borrow
money and incur interest expenses. Either occurrence would adversely impact
upon the amount of daily dividend and could result in a decline in daily net
asset value per share or the redemption by the U.S. Government Money Market
Series of shares held in a shareholder's account. The U.S. Government Money
Market Series will attempt to minimize these risks by investing in relatively
longer-term securities when it appears to management that yields on such
securities are not likely to increase substantially during the period of
expected holding, and then only in securities which are readily marketable.
However, there can be no assurance that the U.S. Government Money Market
Series will be successful in achieving this objective.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SERIES
The investment objective of the U.S. Government Securities Series is high
current income consistent with safety of principal. There is no assurance
that the investment objective will be achieved. The investment objective may
not be changed without approval of the U.S. Government Securities Series'
shareholders. The investment policies discussed below may be changed without
shareholder approval.
The U.S. Government Securities Series seeks to achieve its objective by
investing in obligations issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or
its instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities"). All such obligations
are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States. Investments
may be made in obligations of instrumentalities of the U.S. Government only
where such obligations are guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
U.S. Government securities include U.S. Treasury securities consisting of
Treasury bills, Treasury notes and Treasury bonds. Some of the other U.S.
Government securities in which the U.S. Government Securities Series may
invest include securities of the Federal Housing Administration, the
Government National Mortgage Association, the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, the Export-Import Bank, the Farmers Home Administration, the
General Services Administration, the Maritime Administration, Resolution
Funding Corporation and the Small Business Administration. The maturities of
such securities usually range from three months to thirty years.
The Series is not limited as to the maturities of the U.S. Government
securities in which it may invest, except that the Series will not purchase
zero coupon securities with remaining maturities of longer than ten years.
For a discussion of the risks of investing in U.S. Government securities
(including such securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed delivery or
forward commitment basis and zero coupon securities), see "General Investment
Techniques" below.
While the U.S. Government Securities Series has the ability to invest in
any securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, it
is currently anticipated that a substantial portion of the U.S. Government
Securities Series' assets will be invested in Certificates of the Government
National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"). Should market or economic conditions
warrant, this policy is subject to change at any time at the discretion of
the Investment Manager.
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GNMA Certificates. GNMA Certificates are mortgage-backed securities. Each
Certificate evidences an interest in a specific pool of mortgages insured by
the Federal Housing Administration or the Farmers Home Administration (FHA)
or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (VA). Scheduled payments of
principal and interest are made to the registered holders of GNMA
Certificates. The GNMA Certificates that the U.S. Government Securities
Series will invest in are of the modified pass-through type. GNMA guarantees
the timely payment of monthly installments of principal and interest on
modified pass-through certificates at the time such payments are due, whether
or not such amounts are collected by the issuer on the underlying mortgages.
The National Housing Act provides that the full faith and credit of the
United States is pledged to the timely payment of principal and interest by
GNMA of amounts due on these GNMA Certificates.
The average life of GNMA Certificates varies with the maturities of the
underlying mortgage instruments with maximum maturities of 30 years. The
average life is likely to be substantially less than the original maturity of
the mortgage pools underlying the securities as a result of prepayments or
refinancing of such mortgages or foreclosure. Any prepayments are passed
through to the registered holder with the regular monthly payments of
principal and interest, which has the effect of reducing future payments. Due
to the GNMA guarantee, foreclosures impose no risk to investment principal.
The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by factors including the
level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of
the mortgage and other social and demographic conditions. As prepayment rates
vary widely, it is not possible to accurately predict the average life of a
particular pool. However, statistics indicate that the average life of the
type of mortgages backing the majority of GNMA Certificates is approximately
twelve years. For this reason, it is standard practice to treat GNMA
Certificates as 30-year mortgage-backed securities which prepay fully in the
twelfth year. Pools of mortgages with other maturities or different
characteristics will have varying assumptions for average life. The assumed
average life of pools of mortgages having terms of less than 30 years is less
than twelve years, but typically not less than five years.
The coupon rate of interest of GNMA Certificates is lower than the
interest rate paid on the VA-guaranteed or FHA-insured mortgages underlying
the Certificates, but only by the amount of the fees paid to GNMA and the
issuer.
The U.S. Government Securities Series will invest in mortgage pass-through
securities representing participation interests in pools of residential
mortgage loans originated by United States governmental or private lenders
such as banks, broker-dealers and financing corporations 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 semi-annually) and principal payments at maturity
or on specified call dates. Mortgage pass-through securities provide for
monthly payments that are a "pass-through" of the monthly interest and
principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual
borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the guarantor
of such securities and the servicer of the underlying mortgage loans. The
guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities in which the U.S. Government
Securities Series may invest include those issued or guaranteed by GNMA or
other entities which securities are backed by the full faith and credit of
the United States.
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.
Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted by investment
dealers and vendors based on the maturity of the underlying instruments and
the associated average life assumption. In periods of falling interest rates
the rate of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening the actual
average life of a pool of mortgage-related securities. Conversely, in periods
of rising rates the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening
the actual average life of the pool. Reinvestment by the U.S. Government
Securities Series of prepayments may occur at higher or lower interest rates
than the original investment. Historically, actual average life has been
consistent with the twelve-year assumption referred to above. The actual
yield of each GNMA Certificate is influenced by the prepayment experience of
the mortgage pool underlying the Certificates. Interest on GNMA Certificates
is paid monthly rather than semi-annually as for traditional bonds.
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Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities. The U.S. Government Securities Series
may also invest in adjustable rate mortgage securities ("ARMs"), which are
pass-through mortgage securities collateralized by mortgages with adjustable
rather than fixed rates. ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool
generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for either the
first three, six, twelve or thirteen scheduled monthly payments. Thereafter,
the interest rates are subject to periodic adjustment based on changes to a
designated benchmark index.
ARMs contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest
rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, certain
ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the
mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period.
Alternatively, certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required
monthly payment. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay
the interest accruing on an ARM, any such excess interest is added to the
principal balance of the mortgage loan, which is repaid through future
monthly payments. If the monthly payment for such an instrument exceeds the
sum of the interest accrued at the applicable mortgage interest rate and the
principal payment required at such point to amortize the outstanding
principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess is utilized
to reduce the then outstanding principal balance of the ARM.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Multiclass Pass-Through
Securities. The U.S. Government Securities Series may also invest in
collateralized mortgage obligations or "CMOs," which are debt obligations
collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities.
Typically, CMOs are collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC Certificates, but
also may be collateralized by whole loans or private mortgage pass-through
securities (such collateral collectively hereinafter referred to as "Mortgage
Assets"). Multiclass pass-through securities are equity interests in a trust
composed of Mortgage Assets. Payments of principal of and interest on the
Mortgage Assets, and any reinvestment income thereon, provide the funds to
pay debt service on the CMOs or make scheduled distributions on the
multiclass pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by agencies or
instrumentalities of the 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. However, the U.S. Government Securities Series
will only invest in CMOs which are backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States.
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 Series 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. The Fund may invest without limitation in CMOs.
In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes.
Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a "tranche", is issued at a specific
fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution
date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets may cause the CMOs to be
retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final
distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on
a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis. Certain CMOs may have variable or
floating interest rates and others may be stripped (securities which provide
only the principal or interest feature of the underlying security).
The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated
among the several classes of a CMO series in a number of different ways.
Generally, the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the
various classes is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to the individual
tranches than exists with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general
rule, the more predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the
anticipated yield will be on the 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
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tranches are generally higher than prevailing market yields on
mortgage-backed securities with similar maturities. As a result of the
uncertainty of the cash flows of these tranches, the market prices of and
yield on these tranches generally are more volatile.
The U.S. Government Securities Series also may invest in, among other
things, parallel pay CMOs and Planned Amortization Class CMOs ("PAC Bond").
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.
INTERMEDIATE INCOME SECURITIES SERIES
The investment objective of the Intermediate Income Securities Series is
high current income consistent with safety of principal. This investment
objective may not be changed without approval of the Intermediate Income
Securities Series' shareholders. There is no assurance that the investment
objective will be achieved. The investment policies discussed below may be
changed without shareholder approval.
The Intermediate Income Securities Series seeks to achieve its objective
by investing at least 65% of its total assets in intermediate term,
investment grade fixed-income securities. Such securities have a minimum
remaining maturity of three years and a maximum remaining maturity of ten
years. The Intermediate Income Securities Series will maintain an average
dollar-weighted maturity of approximately seven years or less and may not
invest in securities with remaining maturities greater than twelve years.
Under normal conditions, the Intermediate Income Securities Series' average
weighted maturity will not be less than three years.
Under normal circumstances, the Intermediate Income Securities Series will
invest primarily in corporate debt securities and preferred stock of
investment grade, which consists of securities which are rated at the time of
purchase Baa or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB
or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"), or which, if unrated, are
determined to be of comparable quality by the Fund's Trustees. While
fixed-income securities rated Baa by Moody's and BBB by S&P are considered
investment grade, they have speculative characteristics. (A more detailed
description of bond ratings is contained in the Appendix to the Statement of
Additional Information.) The Intermediate Income Securities Series may also
purchase U.S. Government securities (securities guaranteed as to principal
and interest by the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities) and
investment grade securities, denominated in U.S. dollars, issued by foreign
governments or issuers. U.S. Government securities in which the Intermediate
Income Securities Series may invest include zero coupon securities and
mortgage backed securities, such as securities issued by the Government
National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association and
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. There can be no assurance that
the investment objective of the Intermediate Income Securities Series will be
achieved.
The Investment Manager believes that the Intermediate Income Securities
Series' policies of purchasing intermediate term securities will reduce the
volatility of the Intermediate Income Securities Series' 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 intermediate term securities than for
securities with longer maturities. Conversely, the yield available on
intermediate term securities has also historically been lower than those
available from long term securities.
Investment by the Intermediate Income Securities Series in U.S. dollar
denominated fixed-income securities issued by foreign governments and other
foreign issuers may involve certain risks not associated with U.S. issued
securities (see "Foreign Securities" under "General Portfolio Techniques"
below). The Investment Manager believes that those risks are substantially
lessened because the foreign securities in which the Intermediate Income
Securities Series may invest are investment grade.
While the Intermediate Income Securities Series will invest primarily in
investment grade fixed-income securities, under ordinary circumstances it may
invest up to 35% of its total assets in money market instruments and
repurchase agreements, as well as, with respect to up to 5% of its net
assets,
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lower-rated fixed-income securities. No more than 5% of the Intermediate
Income Securities Series' net assets may be invested in lower-rated
fixed-income securities.
Lower-rated fixed-income securities, which are those rated from Ba or BB
to C by Moody's or S&P, respectively, are considered to be speculative
investments. Such lower-rated securities, while producing a higher yield than
investment grade securities, are subject to credit risk to a greater extent
than investment grade securities. The Intermediate Income Securities Series
does not have any minimum quality rating standard with respect to the portion
(up to 5%) of its net assets which may be invested in lower-rated securities.
See the Statement of Additional Information for a description of the special
risks and characteristics of lower-rated fixed-income securities.
There may be periods during which, in the opinion of the Investment
Manager, market conditions warrant reduction of some or all of the
Intermediate Income Securities Series' securities holdings. During such
periods, the Intermediate Income Securities Series may adopt a temporary
"defensive" posture in which greater than 35% of its total assets are
invested in cash or money market instruments. Money market instruments in
which the Intermediate Income Securities Series 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 Standard & Poor's or, if not rated, are issued by a company having
an outstanding debt issue rated at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's.
AMERICAN VALUE SERIES
The investment objective of the American Value Series is long-term capital
growth consistent with an effort to reduce volatility. There is no assurance
that the American Value Series' objective will be achieved. The investment
objective may not be changed without the approval of the shareholders of the
American Value Series. The investment policies discussed below may be changed
without shareholder approval.
The American Value Series seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing in a diversified portfolio of securities consisting principally of
common stocks. The American Value Series utilizes an investment process that
places primary emphasis on seeking to identify industries, rather than
individual companies, as prospects for capital appreciation. The Investment
Manager seeks to invest the assets of the Series in those industries that, at
the time of investment, are attractively valued given their above average
relative earnings growth potential at that time. Therefore, the Series is
typically over-weighted in those sectors deemed to be attractive given their
potential for above average earnings growth.
After selection of the American Value Series' target industries, specific
company investments are selected. In this process, the Investment Manager
seeks to identify companies whose prospects are deemed attractive on the
basis of an evaluation of valuation screens and prospective company
fundamentals.
The Investment Manager seeks to identify what stage of the business cycle
the economy is in and which industry groups have historically outperformed
the overall market during that stage of the cycle, i.e., typically, groups
that tend to have the highest relative earnings growth at that point in the
cycle. The Investment Manager also analyzes secular trends such as
demographics, international trade, etc., that could cause the current cycle
to differ from prior cycles and attempts to weight the portfolio
appropriately, given those factors.
Following selection of the American Value Series' specific investments,
the Investment Manager will attempt to allocate the assets of the American
Value Series so as to reduce the volatility of its portfolio. In doing so,
the American Value Series may hold a portion of its portfolio in fixed-income
securities in an effort to moderate extremes of price fluctuations. The
American Value Series may invest up to 35% of its total assets in common
stocks of non-U.S. companies, including American Depository Receipts (which
are custody receipts with respect to foreign securities) (see "Foreign
Securities" under "General Portfolio Techniques" below), in companies in
industries which have not been determined to be attractively valued or
moderately attractively valued by the Investment Manager, and in convertible
debt securities and warrants, convertible preferred securities, U.S.
Government securities (securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the United States or its agencies and instrumentalities) and
investment grade corporate debt securities when, in the opinion of the
Invest-
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ment Manager, the projected total return on such securities is equal to or
greater than the expected total return on common stocks, or when such
holdings might be expected to reduce the volatility of the portfolio, and in
money market instruments under any one or more of the following
circumstances: (i) pending investment of proceeds of sale of shares of the
American Value Series or of portfolio securities; (ii) pending settlement of
purchases of portfolio securities; or (iii) to maintain liquidity for the
purpose of meeting anticipated redemptions. Greater than 35% of the American
Value Series' total assets may be invested in money market instruments to
maintain, temporarily, a "defensive" posture when, in the opinion of the
Investment Manager, it is advisable to do so because of economic or market
conditions. The term investment grade consists of fixed-income securities
rated Baa or higher by Moody's Investors Service Inc. or BBB or higher by
Standard and Poor's Corporation, or, if not rated, determined to be of
comparable quality by the Investment Manager.
Because prices of stocks fluctuate from day to day, the value of an
investment in the American Value Series will vary based upon the Series'
investment performance. The American Value Series is intended for long-term
investors who can accept the risks involved in seeking long-term growth of
capital through investment in the securities of large, medium and
small-capitalization companies. Emphasis on attractive industries may run
contrary to general market assessments and may involve risks associated with
departure from typical S&P 500 industry weightings. It should be recognized
that investing in small and medium-capitalization companies involves greater
risk than is customarily associated with investing in more established
companies.
Under normal circumstances, at least 65% of the American Value Series'
total assets will be invested in common stocks of U.S. companies in
industries which, at the time of purchase, were determined to be attractively
valued or moderately attractively valued given their above average relative
earnings growth potential.
The American Value Series may enter into repurchase agreements, invest in
zero coupon securities, invest in real estate investment trusts, lend its
portfolio securities, engage in futures contracts and options transactions,
purchase securities which are issued in private placements or are otherwise
not readily marketable, and purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis or a "when, as and if issued" basis, and purchase or sell
securities on a forward commitment basis, in each case in accordance with the
description of these investments and techniques (and subject to the risks)
set forth under "General Portfolio Techniques" below and in the Statement of
Additional Information.
The foregoing limitations apply at the time of acquisition based on the
last determined market value of the American Value Series' assets, and any
subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market
fluctuations or other changes in total assets will not require elimination of
any security from the portfolio.
CAPITAL GROWTH SERIES
The investment objective of the Capital Growth Series is long-term capital
growth. There is no assurance that the objective will be achieved. The
investment objective may not be changed without the approval of the majority
of the shareholders of the Capital Growth Series. The following policies may
be changed by the Trustees without approval by the shareholders of the
Capital Growth Series.
The Capital Growth Series seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in
common stocks. As part of its management of the Capital Growth Series, the
Investment Manager utilizes a screening process designed to Find companies
which have demonstrated a history of consistent growth in earnings and
revenues for the past several years. Additionally, screened companies will
have solid future earnings growth characteristics and attractive valuations.
Companies meeting these requirements will be potential candidates for
investment within the Capital Growth Series. Subject to the Capital Growth
Series' investment objective, the Investment Manager, without notice, may
modify the foregoing screening process and/or may utilize additional or
different screening processes in connection with the investment of the
Series' assets. Dividend income will not be a consideration in the selection
of stocks for purchase.
Although the Capital Growth Series invests primarily in common stocks, the
Series may invest up to 35% of its total assets (taken at current value and
subject to any restrictions appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus), in any
combination of the following: (a) U.S. Government securities (securities
issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government or
its agencies or instrumentalities) and investment grade fixed-income
securities; (b) convertible securities; (c) money market
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instruments; (d) options on equity and debt securities; and (e) futures
contracts and related options thereon, as described below. The Capital Growth
Series may also purchase unit offerings (where corporate debt securities are
offered as a unit with convertible securities, preferred or common stocks,
warrants, or any combination thereof). U.S. Government securities in which
the Capital Growth Series may invest include zero coupon securities.
Convertible securities in which the Capital Growth Series may invest include
bonds, debentures, corporate notes, preferred stock and other securities. The
Capital Growth Series may also purchase securities on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis, may purchase or sell securities on a forward
commitment basis, and may purchase securities on a "when, as and if issued"
basis.
There may be periods during which, in the opinion of the Investment
Manager, market conditions warrant reduction of some or all of the Capital
Growth Series' securities holdings. During such periods, the Series may adopt
a temporary "defensive" posture in which greater than 35% of its total assets
are invested in cash or money market instruments. Money market instruments in
which the Capital Growth Series may invest are securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government (Treasury bills, notes and bonds, including
zero coupon securities); obligations of banks (such as certificates of
deposit and banker's acceptances) subject to regulation by the U.S.
Government and having total assets of $1 billion or more; Eurodollar
certificates of deposit; obligations of savings banks and savings and loan
associations having total assets of $1 billion or more; fully insured
certificates of deposit; and commercial paper rated within the two highest
grades by Moody's or S&P or, if not rated, are issued by a company having an
outstanding debt issue rated at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's.
DIVIDEND GROWTH SERIES
The investment objective of the Dividend Growth Series is to provide
reasonable current income and long-term growth of income and capital. There
is no assurance that the objective will be achieved. The investment objective
may not be changed without the approval of the shareholders of the Dividend
Growth Series.
The Dividend Growth Series seeks to achieve its investment objective
primarily by investing at least 65% of its total assets in common stock of
companies with a record of paying dividends and the potential for increasing
dividends. The net asset value of the Dividend Growth Series' shares will
fluctuate with changes in market values of portfolio securities. The Dividend
Growth Series will attempt to avoid investing in securities with speculative
characteristics.
The Dividend Growth Series may also invest in securities of foreign
issuers in the form of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), European
Depository Receipts (EDRs) or other similar securities convertible into
securities of foreign issuers. These securities may not necessarily be
denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be
converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States bank or
trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities. EDRs are
European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. Generally, ADRs, in
registered form, are designed for use in the United States securities markets
and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities
markets.
The following investment policies may be changed without the approval of
the Dividend Growth Series' shareholders:
(1) Up to 35% of the value of the Dividend Growth Series' total assets
may be invested in: (a) convertible debt securities, convertible pre
ferred securities, U.S. Government securities (securities issued or
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States or its
agencies and instrumentalities), investment grade corporate debt
securities and/or money market instruments when, in the opinion of the
Investment Manager, the projected total return on such securities is equal
to or greater than the expected total return on equity securities or when
such holdings might be expected to reduce the volatility of the portfolio
(for purposes of this provision, the term "total return" means the
difference between the cost of a security and the aggregate of its market
value and dividends received); or (b) in money market instruments under
any one or more of the following circumstances: (i) pending investment of
proceeds of sale of Dividend Growth Series' shares or of portfolio
securities; (ii) pending settlement of purchases of portfolio securities;
or (iii) to maintain liquidity for the purpose of meeting anticipated
redemptions.
(2) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, the Dividend Growth
Series may invest more than 35% in money market in struments to maintain,
temporarily, a "defen-
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sive" posture when, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, it is
advisable to do so because of economic or market conditions.
The foregoing limitations will apply at the time of acquisition based on
the last determined value of the Dividend Growth Series' assets. Any
subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from fluctuations in
value or other changes in total assets will not require elimination of any
security from the portfolio. The Dividend Growth Series may purchase
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, may purchase or sell
securities on a forward commitment basis and may purchase securities on a
"when, as and if issued" basis.
STRATEGIST SERIES
The investment objective of the Strategist Series is to maximize the total
return on its investments. This is a fundamental policy and cannot be changed
without the approval of the Strategist Series' shareholders. In seeking to
achieve its objective, the Series will actively allocate assets among the
major asset categories of equity securities, fixed-income securities and
money market instruments. Total return consists of current income (including
dividends, interest and, in the case of discounted instruments, discount
accruals) and capital appreciation (including realized and unrealized capital
gains and losses). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of
the Strategist Series will be achieved.
The achievement of the Strategist Series' investment objective depends
upon the ability of the Investment Manager to correctly assess the effects of
economic and market trends on different sectors of the market. The Investment
Manager believes that superior investment returns at lower risk are
achievable by actively allocating resources to the equity, debt and money
market sectors of the market as opposed to relying solely on just one market.
At times, the equity market may hold a higher potential return than the debt
market and would warrant a higher asset allocation. The reverse would be true
when the bond market's potential return is higher. Investments in the money
market sector can be used to soften market declines when both bonds and
equities are fully priced. Conserving capital during declining markets can
contribute to maximizing total return over a longer period of time. In
addition, the securities of companies within various economic sectors may at
times offer higher returns than other sectors and can thus contribute to
superior returns. Finally, the Investment Manager believes that superior
stock selection can also contribute to superior total return.
To facilitate reallocation of the Strategist Series' assets in accordance
with the Investment Manager's views as to shifts in the marketplace, the
Investment Manager will employ transactions in futures contracts and options
thereon. For example, if the Investment Manager believes that a ten percent
increase in that portion of the Strategist Series' assets invested in fixed
income securities and a concomitant decrease in that portion of the
Strategist Series' assets invested in equity securities is timely, the
Strategist Series might purchase interest rate futures, such as Treasury bond
futures, and sell stock index futures, such as the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock Index futures, in equivalent amounts. The utilization of futures
transactions, rather than the purchase and sale of equity and fixed-income
securities, increases the speed and efficacy of the Strategist Series' asset
reallocations.
Within the equity sector, the Investment Manager will actively allocate
funds to those economic sectors expected to benefit from major trends and to
individual stocks which are deemed to have superior investment potential. The
Strategist Series may purchase equity securities (including convertible debt
obligations and convertible preferred stock) sold on the New York, American
and other stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter market. In addition,
the Strategist Series may purchase and sell warrants and purchase and write
listed and over-the-counter options on individual stocks and stock indexes to
hedge against adverse price movements in its equity portfolio and to increase
its total return through the receipt of premium income. The Strategist Series
may also purchase and sell stock index futures and options thereon to hedge
against adverse price movements in its equity portfolio and to facilitate
asset reallocations into and out of the equity area.
Within the fixed-income sector of the market, the Investment Manager will
seek to maximize the return on its investments by adjusting maturities and
coupon rates as well as by exploiting yield differentials among different
types of investment grade bonds. Fixed-income securities in which the
Strategist Series may invest may have maturities ranging from one year to
greater than five years and may include debt securities, including U.S.
Government securities (securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the United States or its agencies and instrumentalities) and
corporate securities which are rated at the time of purchase Baa or
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better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB or better by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"), or which, if unrated, are deemed to be
of comparable quality by the Fund's Trustees (a description of corporate bond
ratings is contained in the Appendix to the Statement of Additional
Information). While bonds rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P are considered
investment grade, they have speculative characteristics as well. U.S.
Government securities which may be purchased include zero coupon securities.
In addition, the Strategist Series may purchase and write listed and
over-the-counter options on fixed-income securities to hedge against adverse
price movements in its fixed-income portfolio and to increase its total
return through the receipt of premium income. The Strategist Series may also
purchase and sell interest rate futures and options thereon to hedge against
adverse price movements in its fixed-income portfolio and to facilitate asset
reallocations into and out of the fixed-income area.
Within the money market sector of the market, the Investment Manager will
seek to maximize returns by seeking out those short-term instruments with the
highest yields. The money market portion of the Strategist Series will
contain short-term (maturities of up to one year) fixed-income securities,
issued by private and governmental institutions. Such securities may include:
U.S. Government securities; bank obligations (such as certificates of deposit
and banker's acceptances); Eurodollar certificates of deposit issued by
foreign branches of domestic banks; obligations of savings institutions;
fully insured certificates of deposit; and commercial paper rated within the
two highest grades by S&P or the highest grade by Moody's or, if not rated,
issued by a company having an outstanding debt issue rated at least AA by S&P
or Aa by Moody's. To the extent the Strategist Series purchases Eurodollar
certificates of deposit issued by foreign branches of domestic banks,
consideration will be given to any risks attendant to their domestic
marketability, the lower reserve requirements normally mandated for overseas
banking operations, the possible impact of interruptions in the flow of
international currency transactions, and future international political and
economic developments which might adversely affect the payment of principal
or interest.
Non-Diversified Status. The Strategist Series is a non-diversified
investment company and, as such, is not subject to the diversification
requirements of the Act. As a non-diversified investment company, the
Strategist Series may invest a greater portion of its assets in the
securities of a single issuer and thus is subject to greater exposure to
risks such as a decline in the credit rating of that issuer. However, the
Strategist Series has qualified and expects to continue to qualify as a
regulated investment company under the federal income tax laws and, as such,
is subject to the applicable diversification requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code, as amended (the "Code"). As a regulated investment company
under the Code, the Strategist Series may not, as of the end of any of its
fiscal quarters, have invested more than 25% of its total assets in the
securities of any one issuer (including a foreign government), or as to 50%
of its total assets, have invested more than 5% of its total assets in the
securities of a single issuer.
UTILITIES SERIES
The investment objective of the Utilities Series is to provide current
income and long-term growth of income and capital. There can be no assurance
that the investment objective will be achieved. This objective is fundamental
and may not be changed without shareholder approval. The investment policies
discussed below may be changed without shareholder approval.
The Utilities Series seeks to achieve its invest ment objective by
investing in equity and fixed-income securities of companies engaged in the
public utilities industry. The term "public utilities industry" consists of
companies engaged in the manufacture, production, generation, transmission,
sale and distribution of gas and electric energy, as well as companies
engaged in the communications field, including telephone, telegraph,
satellite, microwave and other companies providing communication facilities
for the public, but excluding public broadcasting companies. For purposes of
the Utilities Series, a company will be considered to be in the public
utilities industry if, during the most recent twelve month period, at least
50% of the company's gross revenues, on a consolidated basis, are derived
from the public utilities industry. Under ordinary circumstances, at least
65% of the Utilities Series' total assets will be invested in securities of
companies in the public utilities industry.
The Investment Manager believes the Utilities Series' investment policies
are suited to benefit from certain characteristics and historical performance
of the securities of public utility companies. Many of these companies have
historically set a pattern of paying regular dividends and increasing their
common stock dividends over time, and the average
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common stock dividend yield of utilities historically has substantially
exceeded that of industrial stocks. The Investment Manager believes that
these factors may not only provide current income but also generally tend to
moderate risk and thus may enhance the opportunity for appreciation of
securities owned by the Utilities Series, although the potential for capital
appreciation has historically been lower for many utility stocks compared
with most industrial stocks. There can be no assurance that the historical
investment performance of the public utilities industry will be indicative of
future events and performance.
The Utilities Series invests in both equity securities (common stocks and
securities convertible into common stock) and fixed-income securities (bonds
and preferred stock) in the public utilities industry. The Utilities Series
will shift its asset allocation without restriction between types of
utilities and between equity and fixed-income securities based upon the
Investment Manager's determination of how to achieve the Utilities Series'
investment objective in light of prevailing market, economic and financial
conditions.
Criteria utilized by the Investment Manager in the selection of equity
securities include the following screens: earnings and dividend growth; book
value; dividend discount; and price/earnings relationships. In addition, the
Investment Manager makes continuing assessments of management, the prevailing
regulatory framework and industry trends. The Investment Manager may also
utilize computer-based equity selection models. In keeping with the Utilities
Series' objective, if in the opinion of the Investment Manager favorable
conditions for capital growth of equity securities are not prevalent at a
particular time, the Utilities Series may allocate its assets predominantly
or exclusively in debt securities with the aim of obtaining current income as
well as preserving capital and thus benefiting long term growth of capital.
The Utilities Series may purchase equity securities sold on the New York,
American and other stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter market.
Fixed-income securities in which the Utilities Series may invest are debt
securities and preferred stocks, which are rated at the time of purchase Baa
or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB or better by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"), or which, if unrated, are deemed to be
of comparable quality by the Fund's Trustees. The Utilities Series may also
purchase equity and fixed-income securities issued by foreign issuers
(including American Depository Receipts, European Depositary Receipts or
other similar securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers).
Under normal circumstances the average weighted maturity of the fixed-income
securities held by the Utilities Series is expected to be in excess of seven
years. A description of corporate bond ratings is contained in the Appendix
to the Statement of Additional Information.
Investments in fixed-income securities rated either BBB by S&P or Baa by
Moody's (the lowest credit ratings designated "investment grade") have
speculative characteristics and, therefore, changes in economic conditions or
other circumstances are more likely to weaken their capacity to make
principal and interest payments than would be the case with investments in
securities with higher credit ratings. If a fixed-income security held by the
Utilities Series is rated BBB or Baa and is subsequently downgraded by a
rating agency, the Utilities Series will retain such security in its
portfolio until the Investment Manager determines that it is practicable to
sell the security without undue market or tax consequences to the Utilities
Series. In the event that such downgraded securities constitute 5% or more of
the Series' total assets, the Investment Manager will immediately sell
securities sufficient to reduce the total to below 5%.
While the Utilities Series will invest primarily in the securities of
public utility companies, under ordinary circumstances it may invest up to
35% of its total assets in U.S. Government securities (securities issued or
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States or its agencies
and instrumentalities), money market instruments, repurchase agreements, and
options and futures, as described below. U.S. Government securities in which
the Utilities Series may invest include zero coupon securities.
There may be periods during which, in the opinion of the Investment
Manager, market conditions warrant reduction of some or all of the Utilities
Series' securities holdings. During such periods, the Utilities Series may
adopt a temporary "defensive" posture in which greater than 35% of its net
assets are invested in cash or money market instruments. Money market
instruments in which the Utilities Series may invest are securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government (Treasury bills, notes and bonds, including
zero coupon securities); bank obligations (such as certificates of deposit
and bank-
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ers' acceptances); 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, are
issued by a company having an outstanding debt issue rated at least AA by S&P
or Aa by Moody's.
Electric Utilities Industry. Under normal circumstances, the Utilities
Series will invest at least 25% of its total assets in debt and equity
securities issued by companies in the electric utilities industry. For
temporary defensive purposes, however, the Series may reduce its investments
in the electric utilities industry to less than 25% of its total assets. The
Utilities Series' policy of concentrating its investments in the electric
utilities industry is fundamental and may not be changed without the approval
of a majority of the Utilities Series' voting securities.
The electric utilities industry as a whole has certain characteristics and
risks particular to that industry. Unlike industrial companies, the rates
which utility companies may charge their customers generally are subject to
review and limitation by governmental regulatory commissions. Although rate
changes of a utility usually fluctuate in approximate correlation with
financing costs, due to political and regulatory factors, rate changes
ordinarily occur only following a delay after the changes in financing costs.
This factor will tend to favorably affect a utility company's earnings and
dividends in times of decreasing costs, but conversely will tend to adversely
affect earnings and dividends when costs are rising. In addition, the value
of electric utility debt securities (and, to a lesser extent, equity
securities) tends to have an inverse relationship to the movement of interest
rates.
Among the risks affecting the utilities industry are the following: risks
of increases in fuel and other operating costs; the high cost of borrowing to
finance capital construction during inflationary periods; restrictions on
operations and increased costs and delays associated with compliance with
environmental and nuclear safety regulations; the difficulties involved in
obtaining natural gas for resale or fuel for generating electricity at
reasonable prices; the risks in connection with the construction and
operation of nuclear power plants; the effects of energy conservation,
non-regulated competition, open access to transmission, and the effects of
regulatory changes, such as linking future rate increases to inflation or
other factors not directly related to the actual operating profits of the
enterprise.
VALUE-ADDED MARKET SERIES
The investment objective of the Value-Added Market Series is to achieve a
high level of total return on its assets through a combination of capital
appreciation and current income. This is a fundamental policy and cannot be
changed without the approval of the shareholders of the Value-Added Market
Series. There can be no assurance that the Value-Added Market Series'
investment objective will be achieved. The investment policies discussed
below may be changed without shareholder approval.
The Value-Added Market Series will seek to attain its investment objective
by investing, on an equally-weighted basis, in a diversified portfolio of
common stocks of the companies which are included in the Standard & Poor's
500 Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P Index"). Standard & Poor's 500 is a
trademark of Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") and has been licensed for
use by the Fund. The Value-Added Market Series is not sponsored, endorsed,
sold or promoted by S&P and S&P makes no representation regarding the
advisability of investing in the Value-Added Market Series. The S&P Index
consists of 500 common stocks selected by S&P, most of which are listed on
the New York Stock Exchange. Inclusion of a stock in the S&P Index implies no
opinion by S&P as to the quality of the stock as an investment. The S&P Index
is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard to the
Value-Added Market Series. S&P is neither a sponsor of, nor in any way
affiliated with, the Value-Added Market Series, and S&P makes no
representation or warranty, express or implied, on the advisability of
investing in the Value-Added Market Series or as to the ability of the S&P
Index to track general stock market performance, and S&P disclaims all
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with
respect to the S&P Index or any data included therein. S&P has no connection
with the Value-Added Market Series other than the licensing to the Investment
Manager of the use of the S&P Index in connection with the Value-Added Market
Series.
The Value-Added Market Series invests in the stocks included in the S&P
Index on an equally-weighted basis; that is, to the extent practicable and
subject to the specific investment policies and restrictions described below,
an equal portion of the Value-Added Market Series' assets is invested in each
of the 500 securities in the S&P Index. This differs from the S&P Index and
nearly all other major
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indexes, which generally are weighted on a market-capitalization basis. For
example, the 50 largest capitalization issuers in the S&P Index represent
approximately 45% of the S&P Index. However, in accordance with its
investment policies, the Value-Added Market Series will strive to maintain
each stockholding equally, so that, subject to the specific investment
policies and investment restrictions described below, approximately 0.20 of
1% of the Value-Added Market Series' total invested assets will be invested
in each of the 500 companies included in the S&P Index. The equal weighting
technique is based on the Investment Manager's statistical analysis that most
portfolio performance is usually generated by only one-quarter to one-third
of the portfolio. Since there is no certainty that any specific company or
industry selection, even within a broad-based index such as the S&P Index,
will achieve superior performance, the Investment Manager believes
equal-weighting may benefit the Value-Added Market Series in seeking to
attain its investment objective.
The holdings of the Value-Added Market Series will be adjusted by the
Investment Manager not less than quarterly to reflect changes in the
Value-Added Market Series' asset levels and in the relative values of the
common stocks held by the Value-Added Market Series so that following each
adjustment the value of the Value-Added Market Series' investment in each
security will be equal to the extent practicable. In addition, whenever a
company is eliminated from or added to the S&P Index, the Value-Added Market
Series will sell or purchase the stock of such company, as the case may be,
as soon as practicable. Accordingly, securities may be purchased and sold by
the Value-Added Market Series when such purchases and sales would not be made
under traditional investment criteria.
In addition, while the Investment Manager will not actively manage the
portfolio other than to follow the guidelines set forth above for following
an equally-weighted S&P Index, it may eliminate one or more securities (or
elect not to increase the Value-Added Market Series' position in such
securities), notwithstanding the continued listing of such securities in the
S&P Index, in the following circumstances: (a) the stock is no longer
publicly traded, such as in the case of a leveraged buyout or merger; (b) an
unexpected adverse development with respect to a company, such as bankruptcy
or insolvency; (c) in the view of the Investment Manager, there is a high
degree of risk with respect to a company that bankruptcy or insolvency will
occur; or (d) in the view of the Investment Manager, based on its
consideration of the price of a company's securities, the depth of the market
in those securities and the amount of those securities held or to be held by
the Value-Added Market Series, retaining shares of a company or making any
additional purchases would be inadvisable because of liquidity risks. The
Investment Manager will monitor on an ongoing basis all companies falling
within any of the circumstances described in this paragraph, and will return
such company's shares to the Value-Added Market Series' holdings, or
recommence purchases, when and if those conditions cease to exist.
The Value-Added Market Series may purchase futures contracts on stock
indexes at a time when it is not fully invested on account of additional cash
invested in the Series or income received by the Series. Purchase of a
futures contract in those circumstances serves as a temporary substitute for
the purchase of individual stocks which may then be purchased in orderly
fashion.
A portion of the Value-Added Market Series' assets, not exceeding 25% of
its total assets, may be invested temporarily in money market instruments
under any one or more of the following circumstances: (a) pending investment
of proceeds of sale of shares of the Value-Added Market Series; (b) pending
settlement of purchases of portfolio securities; or (c) to maintain liquidity
for the purposes of meeting anticipated redemptions. The money market
instruments in which the Value-Added Market Series may invest are
certificates of deposit of U.S. domestic banks with assets of $1 billion or
more; bankers' acceptances; time deposits; U.S. Government and U.S.
Government agency securities; or commercial paper rated within the two
highest grades by S&P or Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or, if not rated,
are of comparable quality as determined by the Fund's Trustees, and which
mature within one year from the date of purchase.
GLOBAL EQUITY SERIES
The investment objective of the Global Equity Series is to seek to obtain
total return on its assets primarily through long-term capital growth and to
a lesser extent from income. There can be no assurance that the Global Equity
Series will achieve its objective. The investment objective is a fundamental
policy and cannot be changed without the approval of the shareholders of the
Global Equity Series. The investment policies discussed below may be changed
without shareholder approval.
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The Global Equity Series will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
equity securities issued by issuers located in various countries around the
world. The Series' investment portfolio will, thereby, be invested in at
least three separate countries.
The Global Equity Series will seek to achieve such objective through
investments in all types of common stocks and equivalents (such as
convertible debt securities and warrants), preferred stocks and bonds and
other debt obligations of domestic and foreign companies and governments and
international organizations. There is no limitation on the percent or amount
of the Global Equity Series' assets which may be invested for growth or
income.
The Global Equity Series will maintain a flexible investment policy and,
based on a worldwide investment strategy, will invest in a diversified
portfolio of securities of companies and governments located throughout the
world. Such securities will generally be those with a record of paying
dividends and the potential for increasing dividends. The percentage of the
Global Equity Series' assets invested in particular geographic sectors will
shift from time to time in accordance with the judgment of the Investment
Manager.
Notwithstanding the Global Equity Series' investment objective of seeking
total return, the Global Equity Series may, for defensive purposes, without
limitation, invest in: obligations of the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities; cash and cash equivalents in major currencies;
repurchase agreements; money market instruments; and commercial paper.
The Global Equity Series may also invest in securities of foreign issuers
in the form of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), European Depository
Receipts (EDRs) or other similar securities convertible into securities of
foreign issuers. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the
same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are
receipts typically issued by a United States bank or trust company evidencing
ownership of the underlying securities. EDRs are European receipts evidencing
a similar arrangement. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for
use in the United States securities markets and EDRs, in bearer form, are
designed for use in European securities markets.
The Global Equity Series may purchase securities on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis, may purchase or sell securities on a forward
commitment basis and may purchase securities on a "when, as and if issued"
basis.
GENERAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Repurchase Agreements. Each Series of the Fund may enter into repurchase
agreements, which may be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Series,
and which typically involve the acquisition by a Series of debt securities
from a selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan
association or broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Series 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, including the risks of default or bankruptcy of the selling
financial institution, the Fund follows procedures designed to minimize those
risks. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with
large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions and
maintaining adequate collateralization.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Liquid Asset, U.S. Government Money
Market and Intermediate Income Securities Series may also use reverse
repurchase agreements as part of their investment strategy. Reverse
repurchase agreements involve sales by the Series of assets concurrently with
an agreement by the Series to repurchase the same assets at a later date at a
fixed price. Such transactions are only advantageous if the interest cost to
the Series of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost of
otherwise obtaining the cash. Opportunities to achieve this advantage may not
always be available, and the Series intend to use the reverse repurchase
technique only when it will be to their advantage to do so. Reverse
repurchase agreements are considered borrowings by the Series and for
purposes other than meeting redemptions may not exceed 5% of the Series'
total assets.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. From
time to time, in the ordinary course of business, each Series of 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
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date of the commitment. While a Series will only purchase securities on a
when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis with the intention
of acquiring the securities, a Series may sell the securities before the
settlement date, if it is deemed advisable. The securities so purchased or
sold are subject to market fluctuation and no interest accrues to the
purchaser during this period. At the time a Series makes the commitment to
purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward
commitment basis, it will record the transaction and thereafter reflect the
value, each day, of such security purchased or, if a sale, the proceeds to be
received in determining its net asset value. At the time of delivery of the
securities, their value may be more or less than the purchase or sale price.
A Series will also establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in
which it will continually maintain cash or cash equivalents or other high
grade portfolio securities equal in value to commitments to purchase
securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. An
increase in the percentage of a Series' assets committed to the purchase of
securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis may
increase the volatility of a Series' net asset value.
When, As and If Issued Securities. Each Series (other than the U.S.
Government Money Market Series) may purchase securities on a "when, as and if
issued" basis under which the issuance of the security depends upon the
occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a merger, corporate
reorganization or debt restructuring. The commitment for the purchase of any
such security will not be recognized in the portfolio until the Investment
Manager determines that the issuance of the security is probable, whereupon
the accounting treatment for such commitment will be the same as for a
commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued, delayed delivery or
forward commitment basis, described above and in the Statement of Additional
Information. An increase in the percentage of a Series' assets committed to
the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may increase
the volatility of its net asset value.
Zero Coupon Securities. A portion of the fixed-income securities purchased
by each Series may be zero coupon securities. Such securities are purchased
at a discount from their face amount, giving the purchaser the right to
receive their full value at maturity. The interest earned on such securities
is, implicitly, automatically compounded and paid out at maturity. While such
compounding at a constant rate eliminates the risk of receiving lower yields
upon reinvestment of interest if prevailing interest rates decline, the owner
of a zero coupon security will be unable to participate in higher yields upon
reinvestment of interest received on interest-paying securities if prevailing
interest rates rise.
A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life.
Therefore, to the extent a Series invests in zero coupon securities, it will
not receive current cash available for distribution to shareholders. In
addition, zero coupon securities are subject to substantially greater price
fluctuations during periods of changing prevailing interest rates than are
comparable securities which pay interest on a current basis. Current federal
tax law requires that a holder (such as a Series) of a zero coupon security
accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased as
income each year even though the Series receives no interest payments in cash
on the security during the year.
Warrants. Each Series (other than the Liquid Asset Series, the U.S.
Government Money Market Series and the U.S. Government Securities Series) may
acquire warrants attached to other securities and, in addition, each of the
Dividend Growth Series, the American Value Series, Strategist Series,
Utilities Series and Global Equity Series may invest up to 5% of the value of
its total assets in warrants not attached to other securities, including up
to 2% of such assets in warrants not listed on either the New York or
American Stock Exchange. Warrants are, in effect, an option to purchase
equity securities at a specific price, generally valid for a specific period
of time, and have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with
respect to the corporation issuing them. If warrants remain unexercised at
the end of the exercise period, they will lapse and the Series' investment in
them will be lost. The prices of warrants do not necessarily move parallel to
the prices of the underlying securities.
Private Placements. The Liquid Asset, Intermediate Income Securities,
American Value, Capital Growth, Dividend Growth, Strategist, Utilities,
Value-Added Market and Global Equity Series may invest up to 15% (10% with
respect to the Liquid Asset Series) of their net assets in securities which
are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not been registered
under the Securities Act or which are otherwise not readily marketable
("illiquid securities"). These securities are generally referred to as
private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on the resale of
such securities may
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have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Series
from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. The Series may have to
bear the expense of registering such securities for resale and the risk of
substantial delays in effecting such registration. The above policy on
purchase of illiquid securities may be changed by the Fund's Trustees.
Rule 144A under the Securities Act permits the Series to sell restricted
securities to qualified institutional buyers without limitation. The Trustees
of the Fund have adopted procedures for the Investment Manager to utilize in
determining the liquidity of securities which may be sold pursuant to Rule
144A. In addition, the Trustees have determined that, where such securities
are determined to be liquid under these procedures, investment in such
securities by the Series shall not be subject to the limitation on
investments in illiquid securities referred to above. Investing in Rule 144A
securities could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity to
the extent a Series, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find
qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing such securities.
Investments in Securities Rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P. The
Intermediate Income Securities Series, American Value Series, Capital Growth
Series, Dividend Growth Series, Strategist Series and Utilities Series may
invest a portion of their assets in fixed-income securities rated at the time
of purchase Baa or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or
BBB or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"). Investments in
fixed-income securities rated either Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P (the lowest
credit ratings designated "investment grade") may have speculative
characteristics and, therefore, changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to weaken their capacity to make principal and
interest payments than would be the case with investments in securities with
higher credit ratings. If a bond held by a Series is downgraded by a rating
agency to a rating of below Baa or BBB, the Series will retain such security
in its portfolio until the Investment Manager determines that it is
practicable to sell the security without undue market or tax consequences to
the Series.
Convertible Securities. The American Value Series, Capital Growth Series,
Dividend Growth Series, Strategist Series, Utilities Series and Global Equity
Series may invest a portion of their assets in convertible securities. A
convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other
security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of
common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of
time at a specified price or formula. Convertible securities rank senior to
common stocks in a corporation's capital structure and, therefore, entail
less risk than the corporation's common stock. The value of a convertible
security is a function of its "investment value" (its value as if it did not
have a conversion privilege), and its "conversion value" (the security's
worth if it were to be exchanged for the underlying security, at market
value, pursuant to its conversion privilege).
To the extent that a convertible security's investment value is greater
than its conversion value, its price will be primarily a reflection of such
investment value and its price will be likely to increase when interest rates
fall and decrease when interest rates rise, as with a fixed-income security
(the credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect
on the convertible security's value). If the conversion value exceeds the
investment value, the price of the convertible security will rise above its
investment value and, in addition, will sell at some premium over its
conversion value. (This premium represents the price investors are willing to
pay for the privilege of purchasing a fixed-income security with a
possibility of capital appreciation due to the conversion privilege.) At such
times the price of the convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly
with the price of the underlying equity security.
Because of the special nature of certain of the Series' permitted
investments in lower rated convertible securities, the Investment Manager
must take account of certain special considerations in assessing the risks
associated with such investments. The prices of lower rated securities have
been found to be less sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates than
higher rated investments, but are likely to be more sensitive to adverse
economic changes or individual corporate developments. During an economic
downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged
issuers may experience financial stress which would adversely affect their
ability to service their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet
their projected business goals or to obtain additional financing. If the
issuer of a lower rated convertible security owned by a Series defaults, such
Series may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. In addition, periods
of economic uncertainty and change can be expected to result in
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an increased volatility of market prices of lower rated securities and a
corresponding volatility in the net asset value of a share of the Series.
Real Estate Investment Trusts. Each Series, except the Liquid Asset
Series, U.S. Government Money Market Series, U.S. Government Securities
Series and Intermediate Income Securities Series may invest in real estate
investment trusts, which pool investors' funds for investments primarily in
commercial real estate properties. Investment in real estate investment
trusts may be the most practical available means for the Series to invest in
the real estate industry (the Series are prohibited from investing in real
estate directly). As a shareholder in a real estate investment trust, a
Series would bear its ratable share of the real estate investment trust's
expenses, including its advisory and administration fees. At the same time
the Series would continue to pay its own investment management fees and other
expenses, as a result of which the Series and its shareholders in effect will
be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in real
estate investment trusts. Real estate investment trusts are not diversified
and are subject to the risk of financing projects. They are also subject to
heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers or tenants,
self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free
status under the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain exemption from
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. Consistent with applicable regulatory
requirements, each Series of 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 Series (subject to certain notice provisions
described in the Statement of Additional Information), and are at all times
secured by cash or money market instruments, which are maintained in a
segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are equal to
at least the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. As
with any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in
some cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the
securities fail financially. However, loans of portfolio securities will only
be made to firms deemed by the Investment Manager to be creditworthy and when
the income which can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks.
Foreign Securities. The Global Equity Series will invest extensively in
foreign securities. In addition, the American Value, Capital Growth,
Dividend Growth, Strategist, Utilities and Intermediate Income Securities
Series may, to a considerably lesser extent, invest in foreign securities.
Foreign securities investments may be affected by changes in currency
rates or exchange control regulations, changes in governmental administration
or economic or monetary policy (in the United States and abroad) or changed
circumstances in dealings between nations. Fluctuations in the relative rates
of exchange between the currencies of different nations will affect the value
of a Series' investments denominated in foreign currency. Changes in foreign
currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S.
dollar value of a Series' assets denominated in that currency and thereby
impact upon the Series' total return on such assets.
Foreign currency exchange rates are determined by forces of supply and
demand on the foreign exchange markets. These forces are themselves affected
by the international balance of payments and other economic and financial
conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors. Moreover,
foreign currency exchange rates may be affected by the regulatory control of
the exchanges on which the currencies trade. The foreign currency
transactions of a Series will be conducted on a spot basis or, in the case of
the Global Equity Series, through forward contracts or futures contracts
(described below under "Options and Futures Transactions"). The Series will
incur certain costs in connection with these currency transactions.
Investments in foreign securities will also occasion risks relating to
political and economic developments abroad, including the possibility of
expropriations or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the use or transfer
of Fund assets and any effects of foreign social, economic or political
instability. Foreign companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements
of U.S. companies and, as such, there may be less publicly available
information about such companies. Moreover, foreign companies are not subject
to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable
securities of U.S. issuers and, as such, their price changes may be more
volatile. Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally
subject to less government and exchange scrutiny and regulation than their
American
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counterparts. Brokerage commissions, dealer concessions and other transaction
costs may be higher on foreign markets than in the U.S. In addition,
differences in clearance and settlement procedures on foreign markets may
occasion delays in settlements of a Series' trades effected in such markets.
Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement delays could
result in losses to a Series due to subsequent declines in value of such
securities and the inability of the Series to make intended security
purchases due to settlement problems could result in a failure of the Series
to make potentially advantageous investments. To the extent a Series
purchases Eurodollar certificates of deposit issued by foreign branches of
domestic United States banks, consideration will be given to their domestic
marketability, the lower reserve requirements normally mandated for overseas
banking operations, the possible impact of interruptions in the flow of
international currency transactions, and future international political and
economic developments which might adversely affect the payment of principal
or interest.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. The U.S. Government Securities Series may
invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities have certain
different characteristics than traditional debt securities. Among the major
differences are that interest and principal payments are made more
frequently, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time
because the underlying mortgage loans or other assets generally may be
prepaid at any time. As a result, if the Series purchases such a security at
a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than expected may reduce yield to
maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected may have the
opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity. Alternatively, if the Series
purchases these securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments
will increase, while slower than expected prepayments may reduce, yield to
maturity.
Mortgage-backed securities, like all fixed-income securities, generally
decrease in value as a result of increases in interest rates. In addition,
although generally the value of fixed-income securities increases during
periods of falling interest rates, mortgage-backed securities may benefit
less than other fixed-income securities from declining interest rates because
of the risk of prepayments. As discussed above under "GNMA Certificates," the
assumed average life of mortgages backing the majority of GNMA Certificates
is twelve years. This average life is likely to be substantially shorter than
the original maturity of the mortgage pools underlying the certificates, as a
pool's duration may be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of
principal on the underlying mortgages. As prepayment rates vary widely, it is
not possible to accurately predict the average life of a particular pool.
Although the extent of prepayments or a pool of mortgage loans depends on
various factors, including the prevailing level of interest rates, general
economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgage and other social
and demographic conditions, as a general rule prepayments on fixed rate
mortgage loans will increase during a period of falling interest rates and
decrease during a period of rising interest rates. If the Series has
purchased securities backed by pools containing mortgages whose yields exceed
the prevailing interest rate any premium paid for such securities may be
lost. As a result, the net asset value of shares of the U.S. Government
Securities Series and the Series' ability to achieve its investment objective
may be adversely affected by mortgage prepayments. Amounts available for
reinvestment by the Series are likely to be greater during a period of
declining interest rates and, as a result, likely to be reinvested at lower
interest rates than during a period of rising interest rates.
There are certain risks associated specifically with CMOs. 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.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. The American Value, Capital
Growth, Strategist, Utilities and Global Equity Series may enter into forward
foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") to facilitate
settlement of foreign currency denominated portfolio securities. In addition,
the Global Equity Series may enter into forward contracts in connection with
its foreign securities investments under various other circumstances.
A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a currency
at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the
contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the
contract. A Series may enter into forward contracts as a hedge against
fluctuations in future foreign exchange rates.
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When a Series enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a
security denominated in a foreign currency, it may, for example, desire to
"lock in" the price of the security in U.S. dollars or some other foreign
currency which the Series is temporarily holding in its portfolio. By
entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount
of dollars or other currency, of the amount of foreign currency involved in
the underlying security transactions, the Series will be able to protect
itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the
relationship between the U.S. dollar or other currency which is being used
for the security purchase and the foreign currency in which the security is
denominated during the period between the date on which the security is
purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received.
Other circumstances under which the Global Equity Series may enter into
forward contracts are as follows. At times, when, for example, the Global
Equity Series' Investment Manager believes that the currency of a particular
foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar or
some other foreign currency, the Global Equity Series may enter into a
forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of dollars or other currency,
the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the
Series' securities holdings (or securities which the Series has purchased for
its portfolio) denominated in such foreign currency. Under identical
circumstances, the Series may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a
fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other currency, an amount of foreign currency
other than the currency in which the securities to be hedged are denominated
approximating the value of some or all of the portfolio securities to be
hedged. This method of hedging, called "cross-hedging," will be selected by
the Investment Manager when it is determined that the foreign currency in
which the portfolio securities are denominated has insufficient liquidity or
is trading at a discount as compared with some other foreign currency with
which it tends to move in tandem.
In addition, when the Global Equity Series' Investment Manager anticipates
purchasing securities at some time in the future, and wishes to lock in the
current exchange rate of the currency in which those securities are
denominated against the U.S. dollar or some other foreign currency, the
Series may enter into a forward contract to purchase an amount of currency
equal to some or all of the value of the anticipated purchase, for a fixed
amount of U.S. dollars or other currency. The Series may, however, close out
the forward contract without purchasing the security which was the subject of
the "anticipatory" hedge.
Lastly, the Global Equity Series is permitted to enter into forward
contracts with respect to currencies in which certain of its portfolio
securities are denominated and on which options have been written (see
"Options and Futures Transactions").
In all of the above circumstances, if the currency in which the Series'
securities holdings (or anticipated portfolio securities) are denominated
rises in value with respect to the currency which is being purchased (or
sold), then the Series will have realized fewer gains than had the Series not
entered into the forward contracts. Moreover, the precise matching of the
forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not
generally be possible, since the future value of such securities in foreign
currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of
those securities between the date the forward contract is entered into and
the date it matures. The Series are not required to enter into such
transactions with regard to their foreign currency-denominated securities and
will not do so unless deemed appropriate by the Investment Manager.
The Global Equity Series generally will not enter into a forward contract
with a term of greater than one year, although it may enter into forward
contracts for periods of up to five years. To the extent that the Global
Equity Series enters into forward foreign currency contracts to hedge against
a decline in the value of portfolio holdings denominated in a particular
foreign currency resulting from currency fluctuations, there is a risk that
the Series may nevertheless realize a gain or loss as a result of currency
fluctuations after such portfolio holdings are sold if the Series is unable
to enter into an "offsetting" forward foreign currency contract with the same
party or another party. The Global Equity Series may be limited in its
ability to enter into hedging transactions involving forward contracts by the
Internal Revenue Code's requirements relating to qualifications as a
regulated investment company (see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes").
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
As noted above, each of the American Value, Capital Growth, Strategist,
Utilities, Global Equity and Intermediate Income Securities Series may write
covered call options and covered put options
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on eligible portfolio securities and on stock and bond indexes and purchase
options of the same or similar series to effect closing transactions, and may
hedge against potential changes in the market value of its investments (or
anticipated investments) by purchasing put and call options on securities
which it holds (or has the right to acquire) in its portfolio and engaging in
transactions involving interest rate futures contracts and index futures
contracts and options on such contracts. The Value-Added Market Series may
purchase stock index futures as a temporary substitute for the purchase of
individual stocks. The Global Equity Series may also hedge against potential
changes in the market value of the currencies in which its investments (or
anticipated investments) are denominated by purchasing put and call options
on currencies and engaging in transactions involving currency futures
contracts and options on such contracts.
Call and put options on U.S. Treasury notes, bonds and bills, on various
foreign currencies and on equity securities are listed on Exchanges and are
written in over-the-counter transactions ("OTC options"). Listed options are
issued or guaranteed by the exchange on which they trade or by a clearing
corporation such as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"). Ownership of a
listed call option gives the Series the right to buy from the OCC (in the
U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange the underlying security
covered by the option at the stated exercise price (the price per unit of the
underlying security) by filing an exercise notice prior to the expiration of
the option. The writer (seller) of the option would then have the obligation
to sell to the OCC (in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange
the underlying security at that exercise price prior to the expiration date
of the option, regardless of its then current market price. Ownership of a
listed put option would give the Series the right to sell the underlying
security to the OCC (in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange
at the stated exercise price. Upon notice of exercise of the put option, the
writer of the put would have the obligation to purchase the underlying
security from the OCC (in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange
at the exercise price.
Exchange-listed options are issued by the OCC (in the U.S.) or other
clearing corporation or exchange which assures that all transactions in such
options are properly executed. OTC options are purchased from or sold
(written) to dealers or financial institutions which have entered into direct
agreements with the Series. With OTC options, such variables as expiration
date, exercise price and premium will be agreed upon between the Series and
the transacting dealer, without the intermediation of a third party such as
the OCC. If the transacting dealer fails to make or take delivery of the
securities or currency underlying an option it has written, in accordance
with the terms of that option, the Series would lose the premium paid for the
option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. The Series will
engage in OTC option transactions only with member banks of the Federal
Reserve System or primary dealers in U.S. Government securities or with
affiliates of such banks or dealers which have capital of at least $50
million or whose obligations are guaranteed by an entity having capital of at
least $50 million.
Covered Call Writing. Series are permitted to write covered call options
on portfolio securities, without limit, in order to aid them in achieving
their investment objectives. In the case of the Global Equity Series, such
options may be denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies and
may be on the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. As a writer of a call
option, the Series has the obligation, upon notice of exercise of the option,
to deliver the security (or amount of currency) underlying the option prior
to the expiration date of the option (certain listed and OTC put options
written by a Series will be exercisable by the purchaser only on a specific
date).
Covered Put Writing. As a writer of covered put options, a Series incurs
an obligation to buy the security underlying the option from the purchaser of
the put, at the option's exercise price at any time during the option period,
at the purchaser's election (certain listed and OTC put options written by a
Series will be exercisable by the purchaser only on a specific date). Series
will write put options for two purposes: (1) to receive the income derived
from the premiums paid by purchasers; and (2) when the Series' management
wishes to purchase the security underlying the option at a price lower than
its current market price, in which case the Series will write the covered put
at an exercise price reflecting the lower purchase price sought. The
aggregate value of the obligations underlying the puts determined as of the
date the options are sold will not exceed 50% of a Series' net assets.
Purchasing Call and Put Options. Series may purchase listed and OTC call
and put options in amounts equalling up to 10% of their total assets. These
Series may purchase call options either to
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close out a covered call position or to protect against an increase in the
price of a security a Series anticipates purchasing or, in the case of call
options on a foreign currency, to hedge against an adverse exchange rate
change of the currency in which the security the Global Equity Series
anticipates purchasing is denominated vis-a-vis the currency in which the
exercise price is denominated. The Series 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. Similarly,
the Global Equity Series may purchase put options on currencies in which
securities it holds are denominated only to protect itself against a decline
in value of such currency vis-a-vis the currency in which the exercise price
is denominated. The Series may also purchase put options to close out written
put positions in a manner similar to call option closing purchase
transactions. There are no other limits on the ability of these Series to
purchase call and put options.
Stock Index Options. Series may invest in options on stock indexes, which
are similar to options on stock except that, rather than the right to take or
make delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives
the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of
cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based
is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put,
the exercise price of the option.
Futures Contracts. The Intermediate Income Securities, American Value,
Capital Growth, Strategist, Utilities, Value-Added Market and Global Equity
Series may purchase and sell interest rate futures contracts that are
currently traded, or may in the future be traded, on U.S. commodity exchanges
on such underlying securities as U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills and
GNMA Certificates and stock and bond index futures contracts that are traded
on U.S. commodity exchanges on such indexes as the Moody's Investment-Grade
Corporate Bond Index, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the New York Stock
Exchange Composite Index. The Global Equity Series may also purchase and sell
futures contracts that are currently traded, or may in the future be traded,
on foreign commodity exchanges on such underlying securities as common stocks
or any foreign government fixed-income security, on various currencies
("currency futures") and on various indexes of foreign equity and
fixed-income securities as may exist or come into being. As a futures
contract purchaser, a Series incurs an obligation to take delivery of a
specified amount of the obligation underlying the contract at a specified
time in the future for a specified price. As a seller of a futures contract,
a Series incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the
underlying obligation at a specified time in return for an agreed upon price.
Series will purchase or sell interest rate futures contracts and bond
index futures contracts for the purpose of hedging their fixed-income
portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities against changes in prevailing
interest rates or, in the case of the Strategist and Utilities Series to
alter the Series' asset allocations. Series will, generally, purchase or sell
stock index futures contracts for the purpose of hedging their equity
portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities against changes in their
prices. The Value-Added Market Series will purchase stock index futures as a
temporary substitute for the purchase or sale of individual stocks, which may
then be purchased or sold in an orderly fashion. The Global Equity Series
will purchase or sell currency futures on currencies in which its portfolio
securities (or anticipated portfolio securities) are denominated for the
purposes of hedging against anticipated changes in currency exchange rates.
When, for example, either the Strategist or Utilities Series wishes to
increase its allocation in fixed-income securities, it may purchase a futures
contract on a bond index or on a U.S. Treasury bond, or a call option on such
futures contract, thereby increasing its exposure to the fixed-income sector.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Intermediate Income Securities, American
Value, Capital Growth, Strategist, Utilities and Global Equity Series may
purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts which are traded
on an exchange and enter into closing transactions with respect to such
options to terminate an existing position. An option on a futures contract
gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, 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. Series will only purchase and write
options on futures contracts for identical purposes to those set forth above
for the purchase of a futures contract (purchase of a call option or sale of
a put option) and the sale of a futures contract (purchase of a put option or
sale of a call option), or to close out a long or short position in futures
contracts.
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Risks of Options and Futures Transactions. A Series may close out its
position as writer of an option, or as a buyer or seller of a futures
contract, only if a liquid secondary market exists for options or futures
contracts of that series. There is no assurance that such a market will
exist, particularly in the case of OTC options, as such options will
generally only be closed out by entering into a closing purchase transaction
with the purchasing dealer. Also, exchanges limit the amount by which the
price of a futures contract may move on any day. If the price moves equal the
daily limit on successive days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate a
futures position until the daily limit moves have ceased.
The extent to which a Series may enter into transactions involving options
and futures contracts may be limited by the Internal Revenue Code's
requirements for qualification of each Series as a regulated investment
company and the Fund's intention to qualify each Series as such. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
Futures contracts and options transactions may be considered speculative
in nature and may involve greater risks than those customarily assumed by
other investment companies which do not invest in such instruments. One such
risk is that a Series' management 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 a Series sold
interest rate 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 Series 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,
currencies and indexes subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures
contract prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the U.S.
dollar cash prices of the portfolio securities (and, in the case of the
Global Equity Series, the securities' denominated currencies). 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 Series 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.
The Global Equity Series, by entering into transactions in foreign futures
and options markets, will incur risks similar to those discussed above under
"Foreign Securities."
New options and futures contracts and other financial products and various
combinations thereof continue to be developed. The Series may invest in any
such options, futures and other products as may be developed to the extent
consistent with their investment objectives and applicable regulatory
requirements, and will make any and all pertinent disclosures relating to
such investments in its Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional
Information. Except as otherwise noted above, and as set forth in other
investment policies and investment restrictions, there are no limitations on
any Series' ability to invest in options, futures or options on futures.
PORTFOLIO TRADING
Although each Series does not intend to engage in short-term trading of
portfolio securities as a means of achieving the investment objectives of the
respective Series, each Series may sell portfolio securities without regard
to the length of time they have been held whenever such sale will in the
opinion of the Investment Manager strengthen the Series' position and
contribute to its investment objectives. In determining which securities to
purchase for the Series or hold in a Series, the Investment Manager will rely
on information from various sources, including research, analysis and
appraisals of brokers and dealers, the views of Trustees of the Fund and
others regarding economic developments and interest rate trends, and the
Investment Manager's own analysis of factors it deems relevant.
Personnel of the Investment Manager have substantial experience in the use
of the investment techniques described above under the heading "Options and
Futures Transactions," which techniques require skills different from those
needed to select the portfolio securities underlying various options and
futures contracts.
Brokerage commissions are not normally charged on the purchase or sale of
money market instruments and U.S. Government obligations, or on currency
conversions, but such transactions will involve costs in the form of spreads
between bid and asked prices. Orders for transactions in portfolio securities
and commodities may be placed for the Fund with a number of brokers and
dealers, including DWR and other broker-dealer affiliates of the
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Investment Manager. 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.
The Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market Series are expected to
have high portfolio turnovers due to the short-term maturities of securities
purchased, but this should not affect income or net asset value as brokerage
commissions are not normally charged on the purchase or sale of money market
instruments. It is not anticipated that the portfolio turnover rates of the
Series will exceed the following percentages in any year: U.S. Government
Securities Series, Capital Growth Series, Dividend Growth Series, Utilities
Series, Value-Added Market Series and Global Equity Series: 100%;
Intermediate Income Securities Series and Strategist Series: 200%; American
Value Series: 400%. A portfolio turnover rate exceeding 100% in any one year
is greater than that of many other investment companies. Each Series of the
Fund will incur underwriting discount costs (on underwritten securities)
and/or brokerage costs commensurate with its portfolio turnover rate.
Short-term gains and losses may result from such portfolio transactions. See
"Dividends, Distribution and Taxes" for a discussion of the tax implications
of these trading policies.
The expenses of the Global Equity Series relating to its portfolio
management are likely to be greater than those incurred by other investment
companies investing primarily in securities issued by domestic issuers as
custodial costs, brokerage commissions and other transaction charges related
to investing in foreign markets are generally higher than in the United
States. Short-term gains and losses may result from portfolio transactions.
See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" for a discussion of the tax
implications of the Series' trading policies. A more extensive discussion of
the Series' brokerage policies is set forth in the Statement of Additional
Information.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The following individuals are primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management of certain of the Series of the Fund: Rajesh K. Gupta, Senior Vice
President of InterCapital, has been the primary portfolio manager of the U.S.
Government Securities Series since its inception; Mr. Gupta has been managing
portfolios comprised of U.S. Government and other securities at InterCapital
for over five years. Rochelle G. Siegel, Senior Vice President of
InterCapital, has been the primary portfolio manager of the Intermediate
Income Securities Series since its inception; Ms. Siegel has been managing
portfolios comprised of fixed-income securities at InterCapital for over five
years. Anita H. Kolleeny, Senior Vice President of InterCapital, has been the
primary portfolio manager of the American Value Series since its inception;
Ms. Kolleeny has been managing portfolios comprised of equity and other
securities at InterCapital for over five years. Paul D. Vance, Senior Vice
President of InterCapital, has been the primary portfolio manager of the
Dividend Growth Series since its inception; Mr. Vance has been managing
portfolios comprised of equity and other securities at InterCapital for over
five years. Peter Hermann, Vice President of InterCapital, has been the
primary portfolio manager of the Capital Growth Series since April, 1996;
prior to joining InterCapital in March, 1994, Mr. Hermann was a portfolio
manager at The Bank of New York. Mark Bavoso, Senior Vice President of
InterCapital, has been the primary portfolio manager of the Strategist Series
since January, 1994 and of the Global Equity Series since August, 1995; Mr.
Bavoso has been a portfolio manager at InterCapital for over five years.
Edward F. Gaylor, Senior Vice President of InterCapital, has been the primary
portfolio manager of the Utilities Series since its inception; Mr. Gaylor has
been managing portfolios comprised of equity and other securities at
InterCapital for over five years. Kenton J. Hinchliffe, Senior Vice President
of InterCapital; and Alice Weiss, Vice President of InterCapital, have been
the primary portfolio managers of the Value-Added Market Series since its
inception and September, 1997, respectively; Mr. Hinchliffe and Ms. Weiss
have been managing portfolios comprised of equity and other securities at
InterCapital for over five years.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
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The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions that
have been adopted as fundamental policies of the Intermediate Income
Securities, American Value, Capital Growth, Dividend Growth, Utilities,
Value-Added Market and Global Equity Series. In addition, the Liquid Asset
Series has adopted restrictions two and five as fundamental policies and the
Strategist Series has
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adopted restrictions three, four and five as fundamental policies. Under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), a fundamental policy
may not be changed with respect to a Series without the vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of that Series, as defined in the Act.
Each Series of the Fund may not:
1. As 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. As to 75% of its total assets, purchase more than 10% of all
outstanding voting securities or any class of securities of any one
issuer. (All of the Series of the Fund may, collectively, purchase more
than 10% of all outstanding voting securities or any class of securities
of any one issuer.)
3. With the exception of the Utilities Series, invest 25% or more of the
value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry.
This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the
United States Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.
4. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three
years of continuous operation. This restriction shall not apply to any
obligation issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
5. Invest more than 15% (10% with respect to the Liquid Asset and U.S.
Government Money Market Series) of its total assets in "illiquid
Securities" (securities for which market quota tions are not readily
available) and repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than
seven days.
Generally, OTC options and the assets used as "cover" for written OTC
options are illiquid securities. However, a Series is permitted to treat
the securities it uses as cover for written OTC options as liquid provided
it follows a procedure whereby it will sell OTC options only to qualified
dealers who agree that the Series may repurchase such options at a maximum
price to be calculated pursuant to a predetermined formula set forth in
the option agreement. The formula set forth in the option agreement may
vary from agreement to agreement, but is generally based on a multiple of
the premium received by the Series for writing the option plus the amount,
if any, of the option's intrinsic value. An OTC option is considered an
illiquid asset only to the extent that the maximum repurchase price under
the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option.
The Liquid Asset Series has also adopted the following restrictions as
fundamental policies:
1. With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase any securities,
other than obligations of the U.S. Government, or its agencies or in
strumentalities, if, immediately after such purchase, more than 5% of the
value of the Liquid Asset Series' total assets would be invested in
securities of any one issuer. (However, as a non-fundamental policy, the
Liquid Asset Series will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in
the securities of any one issuer. Furthermore, pursuant to current
regulatory requirements, the Liquid Asset Series may only invest more than
5% of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer (and only with
respect to one issuer at a time) for a period of not more than three
business days and only if the securities have received the highest quality
rating by at least two NRSROs.)
2. Purchase any securities, other than obligations of domestic banks or
of the U.S. Government, or its agencies or instrumentalities, if,
immediately after such purchase, more than 25% of the value of the Liquid
Asset Series' total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers
in the same industry; however, there is no limitation as to investments in
domestic bank obligations or in obligations issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.
All percentage limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial
investment, and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting
from market fluctuations or other changes in the amount of total assets does
not require elimination of any security from the Series.
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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The net asset value per share is calculated separately for each Series. In
general, the net asset value per share is computed by taking the value of all
the assets of the Series, subtracting all liabilities, dividing by the number
of shares outstanding and adjusting the result to the nearest cent. The Fund
will compute the net asset value per share of each Series once daily at 4:00
p.m., New York time (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes
prior to 4:00 p.m., at such earlier time), on each day the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading. 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.
The Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market Series utilize the
amortized cost method in valuing their portfolio securities, which method
involves valuing a security at its cost adjusted by a constant amortization
to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of
fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. The purpose
of this method of calculation is to facilitate the maintenance of a constant
net asset value per share of $1.00. However, there can be no assurance that
the $1.00 net asset value will be maintained.
In the calculation of the net asset value of the Series other than the
Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market Series: (1) an equity portfolio
security listed or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange or other
domestic or foreign stock exchange is valued at its latest sale price on that
exchange prior to the time assets are valued (if there were no sales that
day, the security is valued at the closing bid price and in cases where
securities are traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued on
the exchange designated as the primary market pursuant to procedures adopted
by the Trustees); and (2) all other portfolio securities for which
over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the
latest available bid price prior to the time of valuation. When market
quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which it
is determined by the Investment Manager that sale or bid prices are not
reflective of a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at
their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by
and under the general supervision of the Fund's Trustees. Valuation of
securities for which market quotations are not readily available may also be
based upon current market prices of securities which are comparable in
coupon, rating and maturity or an appropriate matrix utilizing similar
factors. For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign portfolio securities,
other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency
are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates
prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange. Dividends receivable are
accrued as of the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from foreign
securities which are accrued as soon as the Fund is informed of such
dividends after the ex-dividend date.
Certain of the portfolio securities of each Series may be valued by an
outside pricing service approved by the Fund's Trustees. The pricing service
may utilize a matrix system incorporating security quality, maturity and
coupon as the evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its
staff, including review of broker-dealer market price quotations, in
determining what it believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio
securities valued by such pricing service.
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. 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 that 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
general supervision of the Trustees.
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<PAGE>
Generally, trading in foreign securities, as well as corporate bonds,
United States government securities and money market instruments, is
substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the
New York Stock Exchange. The values of such securities used in computing the
net asset value of a Series' shares are determined as of such times. Foreign
currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of
the New York Stock Exchange. Occasionally, events which affect the values of
such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which
they are determined and the close of the New York Stock Exchange and will
therefore not be reflected in the computation of a Series' net asset value.
If events materially affecting the value of such securities occur during such
period, then those securities will be valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the
supervision of the Trustees.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares of the Fund are offered for sale to investors participating in
various employee benefit plans and Individual Retirement Account ("IRA")
rollover plans on a continuous basis, without a sales charge, at the net
asset value per share of each Series. There is no minimum initial or
subsequent purchase of shares of the Fund.
Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Fund and Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of InterCapital, shares
of the Fund are distributed by the Distributor and offered by DWR and other
dealers who have entered into selected dealer agreements with the Distributor
("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal executive office of the
Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
Initial and subsequent purchases may be made by contacting Dean Witter
Trust FSB at P.O. Box 1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303, or by contacting an
account executive of DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer. The Fund and/or
the Distributor reserve the right to permit purchases by non-employee benefit
plan investors.
All shares of the Fund, with the exception of shares of the Liquid Asset
and U.S. Government Money Market Series, are sold through the Distributor on
a normal three business day settlement basis; that is, payment is due on the
third business day (settlement date) after the order is placed with the
Distributor. The offering price of such shares will be the net asset value
per share next determined following receipt of an order (see "Determination
of Net Asset Value"). Shares of the U.S. Government Securities and
Intermediate Income Securities Series which are purchased through the
Distributor are entitled to dividends beginning on the next business day
following settlement date and shares of these Series purchased through the
Transfer Agent are entitled to dividends beginning on the next business day
following receipt of a purchase order. Shares of the U.S. Government
Securities Series and the Intermediate Income Securities Series will be
entitled to receive capital gains distributions if the order is received by
the close of business on the date prior to the record date for such
distributions. Investors in the American Value, Capital Growth, Dividend
Growth, Strategist, Utilities, Value-Added Market and Global Equity Series of
the Fund 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 distributions. Since the Distributor
forwards investors' funds on settlement date, it will benefit from the
temporary use of the funds if payment is made prior thereto. As noted above,
orders placed directly with the Transfer Agent must be accompanied by
payment. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any
purchase orders.
Sales personnel of a Selected Broker-Dealer are compensated for shares of
the Fund sold by them by the Distributor or any of its affiliates and/or by a
Selected Broker-Dealer. In addition, some sales personnel of the Selected
Broker-Dealer will receive non-cash compensation as special sales incentives,
including trips, educational and/or business seminars and merchandise. The
Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase orders.
Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market Series. The offering price
of the shares of the Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market Series
will be at their net asset value next determined after receipt of a purchase
order and acceptance by the Transfer Agent in proper form and accompanied by
payment in Federal Funds (i.e., monies of member banks within the Federal
Reserve System held on deposit at a Federal Reserve Bank) available to the
Fund for investment. Shares commence earning income on the day fol-
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<PAGE>
lowing the date of purchase. Share certificates will not be issued unless
requested in writing by the shareholder.
To initiate purchase by mail or wire, the investor should contact Dean
Witter Trust FSB, at P.O. Box 1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303. Purchases by wire
must be preceded by a call to the Transfer Agent advising it of the purchase
and must be wired to Dean Witter Retirement Series: (name of Series), The
Bank of New York, for credit to the Account of Dean Witter Trust FSB,
Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey City, New Jersey, Account No.
8900188413. Wire purchase instructions must include the name of the Fund and
Series and the shareholder's account number. Purchases made by check are
normally effective within two business days for checks drawn on Federal
Reserve System member banks, and longer for most other checks. Wire purchases
received by the Transfer Agent prior to 12 noon New York time are normally
effective that day and wire purchases received after 12 noon New York time
are normally effective the next business day. The Fund reserves the right to
reject any purchase order.
Orders for the purchase of Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market
Series shares placed by customers through the Distributor with payment in
clearing house funds will be transmitted by the Distributor to the Fund with
payment in Federal Funds on the business day following the day the order is
placed by the customer with the Distributor. Investors desiring same day
effectiveness should wire Federal Funds directly to the Transfer Agent.
For further information concerning purchases of the Fund's shares, contact
the Distributor or consult the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund
and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase orders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has entered into a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Act with the Distributor and DWR whereby the Distributor and any of
its affiliates are authorized to utilize their own resources to finance
certain activities in connection with the distribution of the Fund's shares.
Among the activities and services which may be provided by the Distributor
under the Plan are: (1) compensation to, and expenses of, account executives
and other employees of the Distributor and others, including overhead and
telephone expenses; (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 tele vision, radio, newspaper, magazine and other media
advertisements.
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 shareholders selected Series, 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, at the net asset value per share, each
day on which the Series' shares are valued (for the Liquid Asset and U.S.
Government Money Market Series) and in shares of the U.S. Government
Securities and Intermediate Income Securities Series 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. Shareholders of the Liquid
Asset, U.S. Government Money Market, U.S. Government Securities and
Intermediate Income Securities Series who have requested to receive dividends
in cash will normally receive their monthly dividend check during the first
ten days of the following month. Dividends and distributions of the American
Value, Capital Growth, Dividend Growth, Utilities, Strategist, Value-Added
Market and Global Equity Series will be paid, at the net asset values per
share of each Series, in shares of the Series (or in cash if the shareholder
so requests) as of the close of business on the record date. At any time an
investor may request the Transfer Agent in writing to have subsequent
dividends and/or capital gains distributions paid to the investor in cash
rather than shares. To assure sufficient time to process the change, such
request must be received by the Transfer Agent at least five business days
prior to the payment date for which it commences to take effect. In case of
recently purchased shares for which registration instructions have not been
re-
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<PAGE>
ceived on the record date, cash payments will be made to DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealers through whom shares were purchased.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. A systematic withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal
Plan") is available for shareholders who own or purchase shares of the Fund
having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon the then current net asset
value. The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly or quarterly (March, June,
September and December) checks in any dollar amount, not less than $25, or in
any whole percentage of the account balance, on an annualized basis. Each
withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares and any gain or loss realized
must be recognized for federal income tax purposes.
Shareholders wishing to enroll in the Withdrawal Plan should contact their
DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent.
Systematic Payroll Deduction Plan. There is also available to employers a
Systematic Payroll Deduction Plan by which their employees may invest in
shares of the Fund. For further information please contact the Transfer Agent
or Distributor.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
An "Exchange Privilege," that is, the privilege of exchanging shares of
one of the Fund's Series for another, is available to all shareholders. An
exchange of shares into any Series other than the Liquid Asset and U.S.
Government Money Market Series is effected on the basis of the next
calculated net asset value per share of the respective Series after the
exchange order is received. When exchanging into the Liquid Asset or U.S.
Government Money Market Series, shares of the relevant Series are redeemed at
their next calculated net asset value and exchanged for shares of the Liquid
Asset or U.S. Government Money Market Series at their net asset value
determined the following business day.
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 may, in its discretion, limit or otherwise restrict the
number of times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any investor. Any
such restriction will be made by the Fund on a prospective basis only, upon
notice to the shareholder not later than ten days following such
shareholder's most recent exchange.
The Exchange Privilege may be terminated or revised at any time by the
Fund upon such notice as may be required by applicable regulatory agencies
(presently sixty days' prior written notice for termination or material
revision), and provided further that the Exchange Privilege may be terminated
or materially revised without notice under certain unusual circumstances
described in the Statement of Additional Information. Shareholders
maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer are
referred to their account executive regarding restrictions on exchanges of
shares of the Fund pledged in their margin account.
The current prospectus of the Fund describes investment objective(s) and
policies, and shareholders should read the disclosure relating to the Series
into which shares are to be exchanged carefully before investing. In the case
of any shareholder holding a share certificate or certificates, no exchanges
may be made until all applicable share certificates have been received by the
Transfer Agent and deposited in the shareholder's account. An exchange will
be treated for federal income tax purposes the same as a repurchase or
redemption of shares, on which the shareholder may realize a capital gain or
loss (shareholders holding shares in a qualified employee benefit plan may
not realize a capital gain or loss). However, the ability to deduct capital
losses on an exchange is limited in situations where there is an exchange of
shares within ninety days after the shares are purchased. The Exchange
Privilege is only available in states where an exchange may legally be made.
If DWR or another 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 any Series for shares of any other Series
pursuant to this Ex-change Privilege by contacting their account executive
(no Exchange Privilege Authorization Form is required). Other shareholders
(and those sharehold-ers who are clients of DWR or another Selected
Broker-Dealer but who wish to make exchanges directly by writing or
telephoning the Transfer Agent)
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<PAGE>
must complete and forward to the Transfer Agent an Exchange Privilege
Authorization Form, copies of which may be obtained from the Transfer Agent,
to initiate an exchange. If the Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be
made in writing or by contacting the Transfer Agent at (800) 869-NEWS
(toll-free).
The Fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange
instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. Such procedures
include requiring various forms of personal identification such as name,
mailing address, social security or other tax identification number and DWR
or other Selected Broker-Dealer account number (if any). Telephone
instructions will also be recorded. If such procedures are not employed, the
Fund may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions.
Telephone exchange instructions will be accepted if received by the
Transfer Agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any day the
New York Stock Exchange is open. Any shareholder wishing to make an exchange
who has previously filed an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form and who is
unable to reach the Fund by telephone should contact his or her DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealer account executive, if appropriate, or make a written
exchange request. Shareholders are advised that during periods of drastic
economic or market changes it is possible that the telephone exchange
procedures may be difficult to implement, although this has not been the case
in the past with the Dean Witter Funds.
For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
The availability of various shareholder services described above is
determined by the parameters of the investor's employee benefit plan.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemptions. Shares of the Fund may be redeemed for cash through the
Transfer Agent (without redemption or other charge) on any day that the New
York Stock Exchange is open (see "Determination of Net Asset Value").
Redemptions will be effected at the net asset value per share next determined
after the receipt of a redemption request meeting the applicable requirements
described below. In most instances, however, redemptions of shares will be
governed by the parameters set forth in the investor's employee benefit plan.
With respect to the redemption of shares of all Series of the Fund with
the exception of the Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market Series,
each request for redemption, whether or not accompanied by a share
certificate (see below), must be sent to the Transfer Agent, which will
redeem the shares at their net asset value next computed (see "Determination
of Net Asset Value") after it receives the request, and certificates, if any,
in good order. Any redemption request received after such computation will be
redeemed at the next determined net asset value. The term "good order" means
that the share certificate, if any, and request for redemption are properly
signed, accompanied by any documentation required by the Transfer Agent, and
bear signature guarantees when required by the Fund or the Transfer Agent.
Shares of the Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market Series may be
redeemed in the following manners:
1. BY CHECK
The Transfer Agent will supply blank checks to any shareholder who has
requested them. The shareholder may make checks payable to the order of
anyone in any amount not less than $500 (checks written in amounts under $500
will not be honored by the Transfer Agent). Shareholders must sign checks
exactly as their shares are registered. If the account is a joint account,
the check may contain one signature unless the joint owners have specifically
specified otherwise on an investment application that all owners are required
to sign checks. Only shareholders having accounts in which no share
certificates have been issued will be permitted to redeem shares by check or
enroll in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
Shares will be redeemed at their net asset value next determined (see
"Determination of Net Asset Value") after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a
check which does not exceed the value of the account. Payment of the proceeds
of a check will normally be made on the next business day after receipt by
the Transfer Agent of the check in proper form. Shares purchased by check
(including a certified or bank cashier's check) are not normally
43
<PAGE>
available to cover redemption checks until fifteen days after receipt of the
check used for investment by the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent will not
honor a check in an amount exceeding the value of the account at the time the
check is presented for payment. Since the dollar value of an account is
constantly changing, it is not possible for a shareholder to determine in
advance the total value of its account so as to write a check for the
redemption of the entire account.
2. BY TELEPHONE OR WIRE INSTRUCTIONS WITH
PAYMENT TO PREDESIGNATED BANK ACCOUNT
A shareholder may redeem shares by telephoning or sending wire
instructions to the Transfer Agent. Payment will be made by the Transfer
Agent to the shareholder's bank account at any commercial bank designated by
the shareholder in an Investment Application, by wire if the amount is $1,000
or more and the shareholder so requests, and otherwise by mail. Normally, the
Transfer Agent will transmit payment the next business day following receipt
of a request for redemption in proper form. Only shareholders having accounts
in which no share certificates have been issued will be permitted to redeem
shares by wire instructions.
Redemption instructions must include the shareholder's name and account
number and be called to the Transfer Agent at 800-869-NEWS (toll-free).
The Fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that redemption
instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. Such procedures
include requiring various forms of personal identification such as name,
mailing address, social security or other tax identification number and DWR
or other Selected Broker-Dealer account number (if any). Telephone
instructions will also be recorded. If such procedures are not employed, the
Fund may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions.
Telephone redemptions 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 a telephone redemption 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 redemption request. Shareholders are advised that during periods of
drastic economic or market changes it is possible that the telephone
redemption procedures may be difficult to implement, although this has not
been the case in the past with other funds managed by the Investment Manager.
3. BY MAIL
A shareholder may redeem shares by sending a letter to Dean Witter Trust
FSB, P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303, requesting redemption and
surrendering stock certificates if any have been issued.
Redemption proceeds will be mailed to the shareholder at his or her
registered address or mailed or wired to his or her predesignated bank
account, as he or she may request. Proceeds of redemption may also be sent to
some other person, as requested by the shareholder in accordance with the
general redemption requirements listed below.
GENERAL REDEMPTION REQUIREMENTS
Written requests for redemption must be signed by the registered
shareholder(s). Whether certificates are held by the shareholder or shares
are held in a shareholder's account, if the proceeds are to be paid to anyone
other than the registered shareholder(s) or sent to any address other than
the shareholder's registered address or predesignated bank account,
signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the
Transfer Agent (shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a
determination as to whether a particular institution is such an eligible
guarantor). Additional documentation may be required where shares are held by
a corporation, partnership, trust or other organization.
If shares to be redeemed are represented by a share certificate, the
request for redemption must be accompanied by the share certificate and a
stock power signed by the registered shareholder(s) exactly as the account is
registered. Such signatures must also be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor
acceptable to the Transfer Agent (shareholders should contact the Transfer
Agent for a determination as to whether a particular institution is such an
eligible guarantor). Additional documentation may be required where shares
are held by a corporation, partnership, trust or other organization. A stock
power may be obtained from any dealer or commercial bank. The Fund may change
the signature guarantee requirements from time to time upon notice to
shareholders, which may be by means of a new prospectus.
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All requests for redemption should be sent to Dean Witter Trust FSB, P.O.
Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303.
Generally, the Fund will attempt to make payment for all redemptions
within one business day, and in no event later than seven days after receipt
of such redemption request in proper form. However, if the shares being
redeemed were purchased by check (including a certified or bank cashier's
check), payment may be delayed for the minimum time needed to verify that the
check used for investment has been honored (not more than fifteen days from
the time of investment of the check by the Transfer Agent). In addition, the
Fund may postpone redemptions at certain times when normal trading is not
taking place on the New York Stock Exchange.
Repurchase. DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers are authorized to
repurchase, as agent for the Fund, shares represented by a share certificate
which is delivered to any of their offices. Shares held in a shareholder's
account without a share certificate may also be repurchased by DWR and other
Selected Broker-Dealers upon the telephonic request of the shareholder. The
repurchase price is the net asset value next determined (see "Purchase of
Fund Shares--Determination of Net Asset Value") after such repurchase order
is received. The offer by the Distributor to repurchase shares from
shareholders may be suspended by the Distributor at any time. In that event,
shareholders may redeem their shares through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set
forth above under "Redemption."
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
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Dividends and Distributions. The Liquid Asset, U.S. Government Money
Market, U.S. Government Securities and Intermediate Income Securities Series
declare dividends of substantially all of their daily net investment income
on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business (see "Purchase
of Fund Shares"). The Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market Series
pay all dividends from net investment income (and net short-term capital
gains, if any) to shareholders of record as of the close of business the
preceding business day. The amount of the dividend payable by each Series may
fluctuate from day to day and may be omitted on some days if net realized
losses on portfolio securities exceed its net investment income. The U.S.
Government Securities and Intermediate Income Securities Series will pay all
dividends from net investment income monthly and distribute all distributions
from net realized short-term capital gains, if any, in excess of any net
realized long-term losses, at least once per year. The Dividend Growth and
Utilities Series will declare and pay all dividends from net investment
income and (it is anticipated) net short-term capital gains, if any,
quarterly. The American Value, Capital Growth, Strategist, Value-Added Market
and Global Equity Series will pay all dividends from net investment income
and net short-term capital gains, if any, annually. Any net long-term capital
gains realized by any Series will be distributed at least once each year.
However, any Series may determine to distribute or to retain all or part of
any long-term capital gains in any year for reinvestment.
All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be paid in
additional Fund shares and automatically credited to the shareholder's
account without issuance of a share certificate unless the shareholder
requests in writing that all dividends and/or distributions be paid in cash.
Taxes. Because each Series of 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 any Series will be
required to pay any federal income tax. Shareholders normally subject to
federal income tax will normally have to pay federal income taxes, and any
state income taxes, on the dividends and distributions they receive from each
Series of 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, who is normally subject to income tax as ordinary
income regardless of whether the shareholder receives such payments in
additional shares or in cash. Any dividends declared in the last quarter of
any calendar year which are paid in the following year prior to February 1
will be deemed received by the shareholder in the prior calendar year.
Dividend payments will be eligible for the federal dividends received
deduction available to the Fund's corporate shareholders only to the extent
the aggregate dividends received by the Series would be eligible for the
deduction if the Series were the shareholder claiming the dividends received
deduction. In this
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regard, a 46-day holding period per dividend, generally, must be met. No
portion of the dividends payable by the Liquid Asset Series, the U.S.
Government Money Market Series, the U.S. Government Securities Series and the
Intermediate Income Securities Series will be eligible for the federal
dividends received deduction for corporations.
Gains or losses on a Series' transactions, if any, in listed options on
non-equity securities, futures and options on futures generally are treated
as 60% long-term and 40% short-term. When the Series engages in options and
futures transactions, various tax regulations applicable to the Series may
have the effect of causing the Series 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 Series' realized net
gains being available for distribution.
One of the requirements for a Series to remain qualified as a regulated
investment company is that less than 30% of its gross income be derived from
gains from the sale or other disposition of securities held for less than
three months. Accordingly, the Series 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. A Series may
also be restricted in its ability to engage in transactions involving futures
contracts.
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.
The Series may at times make payments from sources other than income or
net capital gains. Payments from such sources will, in effect, represent a
return of a portion of each shareholder's investment. All, or a portion, of
such payments will not be taxable to shareholders.
At the end of the year, shareholders will be sent full information on
their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax purposes, including
information as to the portion taxable as ordinary income, the portion taxable
as mid-term and long-term capital gains and the portion eligible for the
dividends received deduction. To avoid being subject to a 31% federal backup
withholding tax on taxable dividends, capital gains distributions and the
proceeds of redemptions and repurchases, shareholders' taxpayer
identification numbers must be furnished and certified as to their accuracy.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to the applicability of
the foregoing to their current situation. Moreover, shares of the Fund which
are held in an employee benefit plan are subject to the distribution tax
rules appropriate to that plan. With respect to all purchases, redemptions,
repurchases, exchanges effected and distributions received on such shares of
the Fund, shareholders should consult with their tax adviser.
Dividends, interest and gains received by the Fund (primarily by the
Global Equity Series) may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by
foreign countries. If it qualifies for and has made the appropriate election
with the Internal Revenue Service, the Fund will report annually to its
shareholders the amount per share of such taxes, to enable shareholders to
deduct their pro rata portion of such taxes from their taxable income or
claim United States foreign tax credits with respect to such taxes. In the
absence of such an election, a Series would deduct foreign tax in computing
the amount of its distributable income.
A portion of the dividend distributions from the U.S. Government
Securities and U.S. Government Money Market Series may be exempt from certain
state's personal income taxes. The benefit of this tax-exemption may be lost
if the shares of such Series are held in a qualified plan which is exempt
from state income taxation.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time, the Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market
Series may advertise their "yields" and "effective yields." The "yield" of
the Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money Market Series refers to the income
generated by an investment in the Liquid Asset and U.S. Government Money
Market Series over a given period (which period will be stated in the
advertisement). This income is then "annualized." That is, the amount of
income generated by an investment during that
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seven-day period is assumed to be generated each seven-day period within a
365-day period and is shown as a percentage of investment. The "effective
yield" for a seven-day period is calculated similarly but, when annualized,
the income earned by an investment in the Liquid Asset and U.S. Government
Money Market Series is assumed to be reinvested each week within a 365-day
period. The "effective yield" will be slightly higher than the "yield"
because of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.
From time to time the U.S. Government Securities and Intermediate Income
Securities Series may quote their "yield" in advertisements and sales
literature. The yield of a Series is computed by dividing the Series' net
investment income over a 30-day period by an average value (using the average
number of shares entitled to receive dividends and the net asset value per
share at the end of the period), all in accordance with applicable regulatory
requirements. Such amount is compounded for six months and then annualized
for a twelve-month period to derive the Series' yield.
Each Series of the Fund may also quote its "total return" in
advertisements and sales literature. The "average annual total return" of a
Series 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 a period of one or five years, as well as over the life of the
Series. Average annual total return reflects all income earned by a Series,
any appreciation or depreciation of the Series' assets and all expenses
incurred by the Series, for the stated period. It also assumes reinvestment
of all dividends and distributions paid by the Series.
In addition to the foregoing, a Series may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or
other types of total return figures. The Series may also advertise the growth
of hypothetical investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in shares of the
Series. A Series from time to time may also advertise its performance
relative to certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent
organizations, such as mutual fund performance rankings of Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc.
Both the yield and the total return of a Series are based on historical
earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shares of beneficial interest of the Fund, with $0.01 par value, are
divided into eleven separate Series, and the shares of each Series are equal
as to earnings, assets and voting privileges with all other shares of that
Series. There are no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights.
Upon liquidation of the Fund or any Series, shareholders of a Series are
entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of that Series available for
distribution to shareholders after all debts and expenses have been paid. The
shares do not have cumulative voting rights.
The assets received by the Fund on the sale of shares of each Series and
all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, subject only to the
rights of creditors, are allocated to each Series, and constitute the assets
of such Series. The assets of each Series are required to be segregated on
the Fund's books of account.
Additional Series (the proceeds of which would be invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios with distinct investment objectives,
policies and restrictions) may be offered in the future, but such additional
offerings would not affect the interests of the current shareholders in the
existing Series.
On any matters affecting only one Series, only the shareholders of that
Series are entitled to vote. On matters relating to all the Series but
affecting the Series differently, separate votes by Series are required.
Approval of an Investment Management Agreement and a change in fundamental
policies would be regarded as matters requiring separate voting by each
Series.
The Fund is not required to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders and, in
ordinary circumstances, the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under
certain limited 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, requires that Fund obligations include such disclaimer, and provides
for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's property
for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund.
Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is
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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, in the opinion of
Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, the risk to Fund shareholders of personal
liability is remote.
Code of Ethics. Directors, officers and employees of InterCapital, Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. and the Distributor are subject to a strict Code
of Ethics adopted by those companies. The Code of Ethics is intended to
ensure that the interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead
of any personal interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from a
person's employment activities and that actual and potential conflicts of
interest are avoided. To achieve these goals and comply with regulatory
requirements, the Code of Ethics requires, among other things, that personal
securities transactions by employees of the companies be subject to an
advance clearance process to monitor that no investment company managed or
advised by InterCapital ("Dean Witter Fund") is engaged at the same time in a
purchase or sale of the same security. The Code of Ethics bans the purchase
of securities in an initial public offering, and also prohibits engaging in
futures and options transactions and profiting on short-term trading (that
is, a purchase within sixty days of a sale or a sale within sixty days of a
purchase) of a security. In addition, investment personnel may not purchase
or sell a security for their personal account within thirty days before or
after any transaction in any Dean Witter Fund managed by them. Any violations
of the Code of Ethics are subject to sanctions, including reprimand, demotion
or suspension or termination of employment. The Code of Ethics comports with
regulatory requirements and the recommendations in the 1994 report by the
Investment Company Institute Advisory Group on Personal Investing.
Shareholder 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.
As of September 30, 1997, the following persons may be deemed to "control"
the designated Series by virtue of ownership of over 25% of the outstanding
shares of the Series: Glendale Elementary School Self-Insurance Account (U.S.
Government Money Market Series); Private Business Inc. 401(k) Plan (Capital
Growth Series); Pizzagalli Construction 401(k) Plan (Value-Added Market
Series); and VVP America Inc. Retirement Plan (Global Equity Series). This is
primarily a consequence of the relative sizes of the particular Series and
the fact that the shareholders of record are in most cases employee benefit
plans which are comprised of multiple beneficial shareholders.
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Dean Witter
Retirement Series
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
TRUSTEES
Michael Bozic
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Wayne E. Hedien
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Barry Fink
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND
DISBURSING AGENT
Dean Witter Trust FSB
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.