<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000 Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048
LETTER TO THE SHAREHOLDERS March 31, 2000
DEAR SHAREHOLDER:
For the 6-month period ended March 31, 2000, the net asset value of TCW/DW Term
Trust 2000 increased from $9.82 to $9.84 per share. Based on this change and
the reinvestment of dividends totaling approximately $0.22 per share, the
Trust's total return for the period was 2.50 percent. Over the same period, the
Trust's market price on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) increased from
$9.375 to $9.563 per share. Based on this change and the reinvestment of
dividends, the Trust's total return for the period was 4.33 percent.
MARKET OVERVIEW
Strong cross-currents buffeted the fixed-income markets over the six-month
period. A Treasury buyback plan provided strong support for the long bond,
which eventually trickled down to the intermediate-term issues. Against this
backdrop, the U.S. economy remained incredibly resilient in spite of soaring
energy costs and higher interest rates, a matter of great concern to the
fixed-income markets. Even though the Federal Reserve Board raised interest
rates five times since last June, the economy has shown few signs of slowing.
Capital spending, construction activity and consumer spending remain high, and
the manufacturing sector is growing out of strong demand for U.S. goods. The
equity market has exhibited extreme volatility in response to both strong
economic growth and higher interest rates. Many analysts believe that the Fed
may take a more aggressive stance, a belief supported by the minutes of the
Federal Open Market Committee's February meeting, which revealed the preference
of a few committee members for incremental rate increases of 50 basis points
rather than 25. Some analysts are already predicting additional rate hikes by
the end of this year, with at least a quarter-point rise in May considered a
near certainty. The end result of all these factors has been a compromise of
sorts, with U.S. Treasuries rallying impressively while yields on mortgages,
corporates and high-yield bonds remain unchanged or higher.
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
LETTER TO THE SHAREHOLDERS March 31, 2000, continued
Mortgage-sector performance was led by the Government National Mortgage
Association (GNMA) subsector. Much of the return advantage of the GNMA sector
during this period was attributed to its superior credit quality, an issue that
came to the forefront of the market's focus as the result of concerns about
changes in the federal regulations of agency debt. Treasury Under Secretary
Gary Gensler's comments concerning the expanding role of government-sponsored
enterprises (GSEs) in the capital markets caused the price spreads between GNMA
and FNMA 6.0% pass-throughs to expand by approximately three quarters of a
point.
THE PORTFOLIO
Approximately 39 percent of the Trust's portfolio is invested in mortgage
pass-through securities issued by agencies of the U.S. government or AAA-rated
collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) with durations, average lives or
expected maturity dates that correspond closely to the Trust's termination date
of December 31, 2000. An additional 5 percent is invested in inverse floating
rate CMOs issued by U.S. government agencies. Inverse floaters have coupons
that reset by a multiple in a direction opposite that of a specified index.
Approximately 14 percent of the portfolio is invested in AAA-rated Asset Backed
Securities (ABSs). The remaining 42 percent of the portfolio is invested in
cash, U.S. agency debenture and short-term investments. The municipal bond
holdings were sold out of the portfolio in January as the Trust no longer needs
to retain tax-exempt income on investments in municipal bonds, and other
investments offered more attractive yields.
LOOKING AHEAD
According to TCW Investment Management Company (TCW), the Trust's adviser, the
four basic determinants of value in mortgage-backed securities (MBSs), namely
absolute yield, spread versus Treasuries, prepayment risk and supply, have
recently converged to make mortgages substantially more attractive now than
they have been at any other time in the past decade. The yields and spreads of
MBSs are at historic highs, with current-coupon mortgages yielding close to
8.00 percent and priced at almost 200 basis points over Treasuries. TCW
believes that the supply outlook for the MBS sector is currently very positive.
The issuance of new 30-year fixed-rate agency pass-throughs is down more than
45 percent because mortgage rates have climbed to a five-year high. Home
borrowers have gravitated toward adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) to the degree
that 35 percent of total origination now consists of ARMs.
Not surprisingly, many dealers are now recommending that investors take
advantage of the market's current weakness by adding to their mortgage
positions, and TCW supports this recommendation.
2
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
LETTER TO THE SHAREHOLDERS March 31, 2000, continued
Nonetheless, the market's heightened sensitivity to Treasury supply is unlikely
to be alleviated any time soon. Treasury revenue is expected to surge over the
next several months because of tax receipts, which may cause the pace of
Treasury buybacks to accelerate. The lack of Treasury bond issuance, combined
with the buyback program, is likely to maintain pressure on the yield curve to
stay inverted. These factors will keep mortgage spreads vulnerable to further
widening. Nonetheless, TCW's current outlook on the mortgage sector is
positive.
The Trust's net asset value and NYSE market values will continue to fluctuate
in response to changes in market conditions and interest rates. As stated in
the Trust's original prospectus, the Trust's income and dividends are expected
to decline over the term of the Trust and as the Trust approaches its
termination date.
We would like to remind you that the Trustees have approved a procedure whereby
the Trust may attempt, when appropriate, to reduce or eliminate a market value
discount from net asset value by repurchasing shares in the open market or in
privately negotiated transactions at a price not above market value or net
asset value, whichever is lower at the time of purchase. During the period
under review, the Trust purchased 23,600 shares of common stock at a weighted
average market discount of 3.05 percent.
We appreciate your ongoing support of TCW/DW Term Trust 2000 and look forward
to continuing to serve your investment needs.
Very truly yours,
/s/ CHARLES A. FIUMEFREDDO /s/ MITCHELL M. MERIN
-------------------------- ---------------------
CHARLES A. FIUMEFREDDO MITCHELL M. MERIN
Chairman of the Board President
3
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
RESULTS OF ANNUAL MEETING (UNAUDITED)
* * *
On December 21, 1999, an annual meeting of the Trust's shareholders was held
for the purpose of voting on three separate matters, the results of which were
as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(1) Election of Trustees:
Michael Bozic
For ................... 33,293,235
Withheld .............. 999,082
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
For ................... 33,298,253
Withheld .............. 994,064
</TABLE>
The following Trustees were not standing for reelection at this meeting: Edwin
J. Garn, Wayne E. Hedien, Dr. Manuel H. Johnson, Michael E. Nugent, Philip J.
Purcell and John L. Schroeder.
(2) Ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent
Accountants:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
For ................. 32,582,109
Against ............. 1,074,520
Abstain ............. 635,688
</TABLE>
In addition, a shareholder proposal to amend the Trust's Declaration of Trust
to require each Trustee, within thirty days of election, to become a
shareholder of the Trust failed to obtain the necessary quorum of a majority of
shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. Although a quorum was
not obtained, the following represents the total of the shares whose votes were
returned to the Trust prior to the meeting: 5,019,198 shares voted in favor of
the proposal; 13,799,100 shares voted against the proposal; and 1,396,043
shares abstained.
4
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS March 31, 2000 (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS (27.9%)
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (18.1%)
$ 4,274 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 1604 JD .................................. 4.222+% 11/15/08 $ 4,073,856
6,026 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 1609 LG (PAC) ............................ 4.197+ 11/15/23 4,535,673
3,454 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 1635 IB (PAC) ............................ 3.310+ 12/15/08 3,316,468
7,243 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 1661 SB .................................. 7.146+ 01/15/09 6,611,897
2,098 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 1671 MB (PAC) ............................ 7.481+ 02/15/24 1,703,898
1,568 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 1680 EA (PAC) ............................ 6.50 02/15/24 1,521,711
34,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 2059 PA (PAC) ............................ 6.00 03/15/17 33,400,305
3,824 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 1993-188 N (PAC) ......................... 6.00 10/25/08 3,653,532
521 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 1993-225 SU (PAC) ........................ 6.234+ 12/25/23 466,290
19,953 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 1994-93 PE (PAC) ......................... 7.25 03/25/18 19,903,848
506 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 1993-35 SB (PAC) ......................... 8.749+ 11/25/23 516,404
------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (Identified Cost $82,117,190) ..................................... 79,703,882
------------
PRIVATE ISSUES (9.8%)
17,028 CMC Securities Corp. III 1994-A6 (PAC) .................................... 6.75 02/25/24 16,846,992
14,400 CountryWide Funding Corp. 1993-10 A3 (PAC) ................................ 6.75 01/25/24 14,238,000
12,311 General Electric Capital Mortgage Services, Inc. 1994-1 A5 (TAC) .......... 6.50 01/25/24 11,984,894
100 Norwest Asset Securities Corp. 1997-6 A1 (PAC) ............................ 7.50 05/25/27 99,613
------------
TOTAL PRIVATE ISSUES (Identified Cost $43,950,515) ............................................... 43,169,499
------------
TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
(Identified Cost $126,067,705) ................................................................... 122,873,381
------------
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (13.9%)
12,000 American Express Master Trust 1993-1 A .................................... 5.375 07/15/01 11,921,256
11,852 Americredit Auto Rec Trust 1999-D A1 ...................................... 6.41 02/05/02 11,811,674
22,975 Empire Funding Home Loan 1997-4 A3 ........................................ 7.11 07/25/14 22,856,541
15,000 IKON 1999-2 A2 ............................................................ 6.31 05/15/01 14,962,500
------------
TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
(Identified Cost $61,883,505) .................................................................... 61,551,971
------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY (18.1%)
80,000 Federal Home Loan Banks (Identified Cost $79,774,000) ..................... 5.965 12/01/00 79,693,600
------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES (15.7%)
6,582 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. PC Gold .................................. 6.00 02/01/09 6,310,961
25,332 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. PC Gold .................................. 7.00 08/01/01-
11/01/01 25,250,069
33,221 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. .......................................... 6.00 11/01/00-
08/01/01 32,891,437
4,647 Government National Mortgage Assoc. II ARM ................................ 6.375 06/20/25 4,665,345
------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES
(Identified Cost $69,794,825) .................................................................... 69,117,812
------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS March 31, 2000 (unaudited) continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (23.8%)
COMMERCIAL PAPER (a) (22.7%)
Diversified Financial Services (8.7%)
$ 8,000 Associates Corp. of North America ............................ 5.92 % 11/17/00 $ 7,680,707
22,200 General Electric Capital Corp. ............................... 6.04- 09/15/00-
6.26 12/22/00 21,394,978
9,500 General Electric Capital Services Inc. ....................... 6.07 09/15/00-
10/03/00 9,214,607
------------
38,290,292
------------
Finance Companies (3.2%)
14,250 Ciesco L.P. .................................................. 5.98- 05/05/00-
6.00 05/26/00 14,144,964
------------
Foods & Beverages (1.1%)
5,000 Nestle Capital Corp. ......................................... 6.00 08/01/00 4,895,279
------------
Investment Bankers/Brokers/Services (4.9%)
22,000 Goldman, Sachs & Co. ......................................... 6.00- 07/24/00-
6.05 08/11/00 21,514,698
------------
Major Chemicals (4.8%)
21,700 Dupont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co. ............................... 5.85- 04/24/00-
6.00 08/16/00 21,282,961
------------
TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER
(Amortized Cost $100,196,461) ........................................................... 100,128,194
------------
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (1.1%)
4,854 The Bank of New York (dated 03/31/00; proceeds $4,835,371) (b)
(Identified Cost $4,853,919) ................................. 6.063 04/03/00 4,853,919
------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Identified Cost $105,050,380) .......................................................... 104,982,113
------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Identified Cost $442,570,415) (c) ....................... 99.4% 438,218,877
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITES ....................................... 0.6 2,731,942
----- ------------
NET ASSETS ................................................................. 100.0% $440,950,819
===== ============
</TABLE>
---------------
ARM Adjustable rate mortgage.
PC Participation Certificate.
PAC Planned Amortization Class.
TAC Targeted Amortization Class.
+ Inverse floater: interest rate moves inversely to a designated index,
such as LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) or COFI (Cost of Funds
Index), typically at a multiple of the changes of the relevant index
rate.
(a) Purchased on a discount basis. The interest rate shown has been
adjusted to reflect a money market equivalent yield.
(b) Collateralized by $4,904,005 U.S. Treasury Note 5.875% due at
11/30/01 valued at $4,951,002.
(c) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes approximate
identified cost. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is
$218,610 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is
$4,570,148, resulting in net unrealized depreciation of
$4,351,538.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
March 31, 2000 (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $442,570,415)........................... $438,218,877
Receivable for:
Interest ............................................... 2,871,457
Investment sold ........................................ 165,831
Prepaid expenses .......................................... 34,739
------------
TOTAL ASSETS ........................................... 441,290,904
------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for:
Management fees ........................................ 151,790
Investment advisory fee ................................ 101,194
Accrued expenses .......................................... 87,101
Contingencies (Note 8) .................................... -
------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES ...................................... 340,085
------------
NET ASSETS ................................................ $440,950,819
============
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS:
Paid-in-capital ........................................... $436,886,810
Net unrealized depreciation ............................... (4,351,538)
Accumulated undistributed net investment income ........... 19,644,257
Accumulated net realized loss ............................. (11,228,710)
------------
NET ASSETS ............................................. $440,950,819
============
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE,
44,820,928 shares outstanding
(unlimited shares authorized of $.01 par value) ......... $9.84
=====
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended March 31, 2000 (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME ............................... $14,165,160
-----------
EXPENSES
Management fee ................................ 792,468
Investment advisory fee ....................... 528,312
Transfer agent fees and expenses .............. 69,991
Professional fees ............................. 63,036
Shareholder reports and notices ............... 22,131
Insurance expenses ............................ 20,413
Registration fees ............................. 19,952
Custodian fees ................................ 6,397
Trustees' fees and expenses ................... 4,938
Other ......................................... 380
-----------
TOTAL EXPENSES ............................. 1,528,018
-----------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME ...................... 12,637,142
-----------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):
Net realized loss ............................. (3,337,716)
Net change in unrealized depreciation ......... 1,434,968
-----------
NET LOSS ................................... (1,902,748)
-----------
NET INCREASE .................................. $10,734,394
===========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
8
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR
MONTHS ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, 2000 SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ...................................... $ 12,637,142 $ 26,607,168
Net realized loss .......................................... (3,337,716) (4,450,184)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation ......... 1,434,968 (11,591,837)
------------ -------------
NET INCREASE ............................................ 10,734,394 10,565,147
Dividends from net investment income ....................... (9,749,846) (24,352,768)
Decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial interest (222,970) (11,867,961)
------------ -------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) ................................. 761,578 (25,655,582)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period ........................................ 440,189,241 465,844,823
------------ -------------
END OF PERIOD
(Including undistributed net investment income of
$19,644,257 and $16,756,961, respectively) .............. $440,950,819 $ 440,189,241
============ =============
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 2000 (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
TCW/DW Term Trust 2000 (the "Trust") is registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, closed-end management investment
company. The Trust's investment objective is to provide a high level of current
income and return $10 per share to shareholders on the termination date. The
Trust seeks to achieve its objective by investing in high quality fixed-income
securities. The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust June 16,
1993 and commenced operations on November 30, 1993. The Trust will distribute
substantially all of its net assets on or about December 31, 2000 and will then
terminate.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:
A. VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS - (1) portfolio securities for which
over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the
latest available bid price prior to the time of valuation; (2) when market
quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which it is
determined by TCW Investment Management Company (the "Adviser") that sale and
bid prices are not reflective of a security's market value, portfolio
securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under
procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees;
(3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service
approved by the Trustees. The pricing service may utilize a matrix system
incorporating security quality, maturity and coupon as the evaluation model
parameters, and/or research and evaluations by its staff, including review of
broker-dealer market price quotations, if available, in determining what it
believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such
pricing service; and (4) short-term debt securities having a maturity date of
more than sixty days at time of purchase are valued on a mark-to-market basis
until sixty days prior to maturity and thereafter at amortized cost based on
their value on the 61st day. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date
of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost.
B. ACCOUNTING FOR INVESTMENTS - Security transactions are accounted for on the
trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and
losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method.
The Trust amortizes premiums and accretes discounts over the life of the
respective securities. Interest income is accrued daily.
C. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS - It is the Trust's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required.
10
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 2000 (unaudited) continued
D. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS - The Trust records dividends
and distributions to its shareholders on the record date. The amount of
dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital
gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which
may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These "book/tax"
differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the
extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified
within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment;
temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and
distributions which exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains
for financial reporting purposes but not for tax purposes are reported as
dividends in excess of net investment income or distributions in excess of net
realized capital gains. To the extent they exceed net investment income and net
realized capital gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of
paid-in-capital.
2. MANAGEMENT/INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS
Pursuant to a Management Agreement, the Trust pays Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Services Company Inc. ("the Manager") a management fee, accrued weekly and
payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.36% to the Trust's weekly net
assets.
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement, the Trust pays the Adviser an
advisory fee, accrued weekly and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate
of 0.24% to the Trust's weekly net assets.
3. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales/prepayments of portfolio
securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended March
31, 2000 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES/
PURCHASES PREPAYMENTS
------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
U.S. Government Agencies .................................. $8,032,760 $180,173,246
Private Issue Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ......... 1,036,992 7,885,900
Asset-Backed Securities ................................... 25,912,776 2,147,590
</TABLE>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB, an affiliate of the Manager, is the
Trust's transfer agent. At March 31, 2000, the Trust had transfer agent fees
and expenses payable of approximately $1,000.
11
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 2000 (unaudited) continued
4. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL
PAID IN
PAR VALUE EXCESS OF
SHARES OF SHARES PAR VALUE
--------------- ----------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, September 30, 1998 ............................................. 46,077,428 $ 460,774 $ 448,516,967
Treasury shares purchased and retired (weighted average discount 2.85%)* (1,232,900) (12,329) (11,855,632)
---------- --------- -------------
Balance, September 30, 1999 ............................................. 44,844,528 448,445 436,661,335
Treasury shares purchased and retired (weighted average discount 3.05%)* (23,600) (236) (222,734)
---------- --------- -------------
Balance, March 31, 2000 ................................................. 44,820,928 $ 448,209 $ 436,438,601
========== ========= =============
</TABLE>
---------------
* The Trustees have voted to retire the shares purchased.
5. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
At September 30, 1999, the Trust had a net capital loss carryover of
approximately $3,441,000 which will be available to offset future capital gains
to the extent provided by regulations.
Capital losses incurred after October 31 ("post-October" losses) within the
taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Trust's next
taxable year. The Trust incurred and will elect to defer net capital losses of
approximately $4,450,000 during fiscal 1999.
6. REVERSE REPURCHASE AND DOLLAR ROLL AGREEMENTS
Reverse repurchase and dollar roll agreements involve the risk that the market
value of the securities the Trust is obligated to repurchase under the
agreement may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of
securities under a reverse repurchase or dollar roll agreement files for
bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Trust's use of proceeds may be restricted
pending a determination by the other party, its trustee or receiver, whether to
enforce the Trust's obligation to repurchase the securities.
At March 31, 2000, there were no outstanding reverse repurchase or dollar roll
agreements.
7. DIVIDENDS
The Trust declared the following dividends from net investment income:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECLARATION AMOUNT PER RECORD PAYABLE
DATE SHARE DATE DATE
----------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
March 28, 2000 $0.02 April 7, 2000 April 20, 2000
April 25, 2000 $0.02 May 5, 2000 May 19, 2000
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 2000 (unaudited) continued
8. LITIGATION
Four purported class actions lawsuits have been filed in the Superior Court for
the State of California, County of Orange, against some of the Trust's Trustees
and officers, one of its underwriters, the lead representative of its
underwriters, the Adviser, the Manager and other defendants - but not against
the Trust - by certain shareholders of the Trust and other trusts for which the
defendants act in similar capacities. These plaintiffs generally allege
violations of state statutory and common law in connection with the marketing
of the Trust to customers of one of the underwriters. Damages, including
punitive damages, are sought in an unspecified amount. On or about October 20,
1995, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint consolidating these four
actions. The defendants thereafter filed answers and affirmative defenses to
the consolidated amended complaint. The defendants' answers deny all of the
material allegations of the plaintiff's complaint. In 1996, the plaintiffs
voluntarily dismissed, without prejudice, their claims against two defendants
who were independent Trustees of the Trust. In March 1997, all of the remaining
defendants in the litigation filed motions for judgment on the pleadings,
seeking dismissal of all of the claims against them. The defendant's motions
were fully briefed by all parties and were the subject of a hearing before the
Court on April 18, 1997. In July 1997, the Court denied the motion for judgment
on the pleadings. In August, 1997, plaintiffs filed a motion for class
certification. In their motion, the plaintiffs requested certification of a
"nationwide" class of Term Trust purchasers. On June 1, 1998, the Court granted
in part and denied in part the plaintiff's motion for class certification. The
Court ruled that plaintiff's motion was "granted as to [a California] statewide
class," but was "denied as to a nationwide class." On October 13, 1998, three
separate class actions alleging similar claims on behalf of the residents of
the states of Florida, New Jersey and New York were filed in the state courts
of those states. The defendants removed the Florida action to federal court and
the plaintiff's motion to remand the action to state court was denied. Motions
to dismiss were filed by defendants in the Florida action on August 30, 1999,
in the New Jersey action on July 26, 1999 and in the New York action September
10, 1999. The New Jersey action was dismissed by the court with prejudice and
no appeal was filed. The motion to dismiss the Florida action was denied on
January 27, 2000. The New York action was dismissed by the Supreme Court of the
State of New York with costs on April 25, 2000. Certain of the defendants in
these suits have asserted their right to indemnification from the Trust. The
ultimate outcome of these matters is not presently determinable, and no
provision has been made in the Trust's financial statements for the effect, if
any, of such matters.
13
<PAGE>
TCW/DW TERM TRUST 2000
Financial Highlights
Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
MONTHS ENDED -------------------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 31, 2000* 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period ....... $ 9.82 $ 10.11 $ 9.52 $ 8.81 $ 8.71 $ 7.48
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income ..................... 0.28 0.60 0.59 0.60 0.59 0.56
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) ... (0.04) (0.36) 0.53 0.66 (0.09) 1.14
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total income from investment operations .... 0.24 0.24 1.12 1.26 0.50 1.70
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less dividends from net investment income .. (0.22) (0.54) (0.56) (0.59) (0.46) (0.49)
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Anti-dilutive effect of acquiring treasury
shares .................................... - 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.02
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of period ............. $ 9.84 $ 9.82 $ 10.11 $ 9.52 $ 8.81 $ 8.71
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Market value, end of period ................ $9.563 $ 9.375 $ 9.688 $ 8.875 $ 7.875 $ 7.50
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
TOTAL RETURN+ .............................. 4.33%(1) 2.32% 15.92% 20.80% 11.29% 1.87%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Operating expenses ......................... 0.69%(2) 0.71% 0.73% 0.71% 0.73% 0.76%
Interest expense ........................... - 0.27% 1.31% 1.69% 1.66% 2.49%
Total expenses ............................. 0.69%(2) 0.98% 2.04% 2.40% 2.39% 3.25%
Net investment income ...................... 5.74%(2) 5.95% 5.84% 6.33% 6.46% 7.12%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands .... $440,951 $440,189 $465,845 $466,424 $459,223 $480,956
Portfolio turnover rate .................... 10%(1) 32% 5% 13% 31% - ++
</TABLE>
-------------
* The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares
outstanding during the period.
+ Total return is based upon the current market value on the last day of each
period reported. Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at
the prices obtained under the Trust's reinvestment plan. Total return does
not reflect brokerage commissions.
++ Less than 0.5%.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
14
<PAGE>
(This page has been left blank intentionally.)
<PAGE>
TRUSTEES
Michael Bozic
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
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
Mitchell M. Merin
President
Barry Fink
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Philip A. Barach
Vice President
Jeffrey E. Gundlach
Vice President
Frederick H. Horton
Vice President
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
TRANSFER AGENT
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB
Harborside Financial Center - Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
MANAGER
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, NY 10048
ADVISER
TCW Investment Management Company
865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800
Los Angeles, CA 90017
The financial statements included herein have been taken from
the records of the Trust without examination by the independent
accountants and accordingly they do not express an opinion thereon.
TCW/DW
TERM TRUST
2000
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31, 2000
