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DEAN WITTER
SHORT-TERM BOND FUND
PROSPECTUS--JULY 10, 1997
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DEAN WITTER SHORT-TERM BOND FUND (THE "FUND") IS A NO-LOAD, OPEN-END DIVERSIFIED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY WHOSE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE A HIGH
LEVEL OF CURRENT INCOME CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL. THE FUND
SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE BY INVESTING IN A DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO OF
SHORT-TERM FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES WITH A DOLLAR-WEIGHTED AVERAGE PORTFOLIO
MATURITY OF LESS THAN THREE YEARS. (SEE "INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES.")
Shares of the Fund are sold and redeemed at net asset value without the
imposition of a sales charge. In accordance with a Plan of Distribution pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 with Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), the Fund authorizes the Distributor or
any of its affiliates, including Dean Witter InterCapital Inc., to make
payments, out of their own resources, for specific expenses incurred in
promoting the distribution of the Fund's shares.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information you should know before
investing in the Fund. It should be read and retained for future reference.
Additional information about the Fund is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information, dated July 10, 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 on this page. The
Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by reference.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Prospectus Summary................................ 2
Summary of Fund Expenses.......................... 3
Financial Highlights.............................. 4
The Fund and its Management....................... 5
Investment Objective and Policies................. 5
Risks and Portfolio Characteristics............. 6
Investment Restrictions........................... 12
Purchase of Fund Shares........................... 12
Shareholder Services.............................. 14
Redemptions and Repurchases....................... 16
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes................ 17
Performance Information........................... 17
Additional Information............................ 18
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SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK, AND THE SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
DEAN WITTER
SHORT-TERM BOND FUND
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(212) 392-2550 or (800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC., DISTRIBUTOR
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
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THE FUND The Fund is organized as a Trust, commonly known as a Massachusetts business trust, and
is a no-load, open-end, diversified management investment company investing in a
diversified portfolio of short-term fixed-income securities with a dollar-weighted
average portfolio maturity of less than three years.
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SHARES OFFERED Shares of beneficial interest with $0.01 par value (see page 18).
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OFFERING PRICE The price of the shares offered by this Prospectus is determined once daily as of 4:00
p.m., New York 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 12).
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MINIMUM Minimum initial purchase, $1,000 ($100 if the account is opened through EasyInvest-SM-);
PURCHASE minimum subsequent investments, $100 (see page 12).
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INVESTMENT The investment objective of the Fund is to provide investors with a high level of
OBJECTIVE current income, consistent with the preservation of capital.
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INVESTMENT Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), the Investment Manager of the Fund, and
MANAGER its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., serve in various
investment management, advisory, management and administrative capacities to 100
investment companies and other portfolios with assets of approximately $95.6 billion at
May 31, 1997 (see page 5).
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MANAGEMENT FEE The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.70% of the average
daily net assets (see page 5).
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DIVIDENDS AND Dividends are declared daily and are payable monthly. Capital gains distributions, if
CAPITAL GAINS any, are paid at least once a year or are retained for reinvestment by the Fund.
DISTRIBUTIONS Dividends and distributions are automatically invested in additional shares at net asset
value unless the shareholder elects to receive cash (see page 17).
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DISTRIBUTOR Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") sells shares of the Fund through Dean
AND PLAN OF Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR") and other selected broker-dealers. The Distributor has
DISTRIBUTION 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 or any of
its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, to make payments, out of their own
resources, for expenses incurred in connection with the promotion or distribution of the
Fund's shares (see page 12).
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REDEMPTION Shares are redeemable at net asset value. An account may be involuntarily redeemed if
total value of the account is less than $100 or, if the account was opened through
EasyInvest-SM-, if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in
the account (see page 16).
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SHAREHOLDER Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions; Investment of Distributions
SERVICES Received in Cash; Exchange Privilege; Systematic Withdrawal Plan; EasyInvest-SM-;
Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plans (see pages 14 and 15).
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RISKS The prices of interest-bearing securities are, generally, inversely affected by changes
in interest rates and, therefore, are subject to the risk of market price fluctuations.
The values of fixed-income securities also may be affected by changes in the credit
rating or financial condition of the issuing entities. Mortgage-backed securities are
subject to prepayments or refinancings of the mortgage pools underlying such securities
which may have an impact upon the yield and the net asset value of the Fund's shares.
Certain of the mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest have higher
yields than traditional mortgage-backed securities and will have concomitant greater
price volatility. Asset-backed securities involve risks resulting mainly from the fact
that such securities do not usually contain the complete benefit of a security interest
in the related collateral. Certain of the high yield, high risk fixed-income securities
in which the Fund may invest are subject to greater risk of loss of income and principal
than the higher rated lower yielding fixed-income securities. The foreign securities and
markets in which the Fund will invest pose different and generally greater risks than
those risks customarily associated with domestic securities and markets including
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, foreign tax rates and foreign exchange
controls. (see pages 6-11).
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THE ABOVE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING
ELSEWHERE
IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
2
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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 April 30, 1997.
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SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
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 FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management Fees*............................................................................. 0.23%
12b-1 Fees................................................................................... None
Other Expenses*.............................................................................. 0.25%
Total Fund Operating Expenses*............................................................... 0.48%
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* MANAGEMENT FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES ARE RESTATED TO REFLECT THE EXPENSE
REIMBURSEMENT AND FEE WAIVERS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT. FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1,
1996 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1996, THE INVESTMENT MANAGER WAIVED ITS FEE AND
REIMBURSED EXPENSES TO THE EXTENT THEY EXCEEDED 1.0% OF DAILY NET ASSETS. FOR
THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1997 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1997, THE INVESTMENT MANAGER
IS WAIVING ITS COMPENSATION AND ASSUMING ALL OPERATING EXPENSES (EXCEPT FOR
BROKERAGE FEES) WITHOUT LIMITATION. ACTUAL MANAGEMENT FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1997, TAKING THE WAIVER OF FEES AND
ASSUMPTION OF EXPENSES INTO EFFECT, WERE 0.34% AND 0.30%, RESPECTIVELY.
WITHOUT THE WAIVER OF FEES AND ASSUMPTION OF EXPENSES, MANAGEMENT FEES AND
OTHER EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 0.70% AND 0.60%, RESPECTIVELY.
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EXAMPLE 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
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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:.......... $5 $15 $27 $60
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THE ABOVE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OF THE FUND MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN
THOSE SHOWN.
The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in understanding the various
costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. For a more complete description of these costs and expenses, see
"The Fund and Its Management" and "Redemptions and Repurchases."
3
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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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 and notes thereto and the report of independent
accountants which are contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
Further information about the performance of the Fund is contained in the Fund's
Annual Report to Shareholders, which may be obtained without charge upon request
to the Fund.
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FOR THE PERIOD
JANUARY 10,
FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1994*
---------------------------------------- THROUGH
1997 1996 1995 APRIL 30, 1994
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PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
period.......................... $ 9.54 $ 9.46 $ 9.62 $10.00
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Net investment income............ 0.61 0.63 0.77 0.21
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss).......................... (0.06) 0.05 (0.33) (0.40)
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Total from investment
operations...................... 0.55 0.68 0.44 (0.19)
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Less dividends and distributions
from:
Net investment income.......... (0.59) (0.45) (0.59) (0.19)
Paid-in-capital................ -- (0.15) (0.01) --
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Total dividends and
distributions................... (0.59) (0.60) (0.60) (0.19)
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Net asset value, end of period... $ 9.50 $ 9.54 $ 9.46 $ 9.62
---------- ---------- ---------- ------
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TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN............ 5.88% 7.33% 4.76% (2.01)%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses......................... 0.64%(3) 0.37%(3) --%(3) --%(2)(3)
Net investment income............ 6.25%(3) 6.54%(3) 7.64%(3) 6.36%(2)(3)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in
thousands....................... $42,252 $33,178 $29,818 $43,403
Portfolio turnover rate.......... 67% 64% 74% 9%(1)
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* COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
(1) NOT ANNUALIZED.
(2) ANNUALIZED.
(3) IF THE FUND HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES THAT WERE ASSUMED OR WAIVED BY THE
INVESTMENT MANAGER, THE ANNUALIZED EXPENSE AND NET INVESTMENT INCOME RATIOS
WOULD HAVE BEEN 1.55% AND 4.81%, RESPECTIVELY, FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL
30, 1994, 1.08% AND 6.56%, RESPECTIVELY, FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1995,
1.29% AND 5.61%, RESPECTIVELY, FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 AND 1.30%
AND 5.59%, RESPECTIVELY, FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1997.
4
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THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
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Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund (the "Fund") is a no-load, open-end diversified
management investment company. The Fund is a trust of the type commonly known as
a "Massachusetts business trust" and was organized under the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 22, 1993.
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 100 investment companies, thirty of which are
listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined assets of approximately
$92.3 billion at May 31, 1997. The Investment Manager also manages portfolios of
pension plans, other institutions and individuals which aggregated approximately
$3.3 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager, pursuant to an Investment
Management Agreement, to provide administrative services, manage its business
affairs and manage the investment of the Fund's assets, including the placing of
orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. InterCapital has
retained Dean Witter Services Company Inc. to perform the aforementioned
administrative services to the Fund.
The Fund's Board of Trustees reviews the various services provided by the
Investment Manager to ensure that the Fund's general investment policies and
programs are being properly carried out and that administrative services are
being provided to the Fund in a satisfactory manner.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
following annual rate of 0.70% to the Fund's net assets determined as of the
close of each business day. The Investment Manager had undertaken from January
1, 1996 through December 31, 1996 to assume all operating expenses (except for
any brokerage fees) and to waive compensation to the extent such expenses and
compensation exceed on an annualized basis 1.0% of the Fund's daily net assets.
The Investment Manager has undertaken from January 1, 1997 through December 31,
1997 to assume all operating expenses (except for any brokerage fees) and to
waive its compensation without limitation. For the fiscal year ended April 30,
1997, the Fund accrued total compensation to the Investment Manager of 0.70% of
the Fund's average daily net assets and the Fund's total expenses amounted to an
annual rate of 1.30% of the Fund's average daily net assets exclusive of any
waivers.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
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The investment objective of the Fund is to provide investors with a high level
of current income, consistent with the preservation of capital. This investment
objective is a fundamental policy of the Fund and, as such, may not be altered
without the approval of the shareholders of the Fund. There is no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in
short-term, fixed-income securities with a dollar-weighted average portfolio
maturity of less than three years. The Fund may invest in nominally longer-term
securities that have many of the characteristics of shorter-term securities
which will be deemed to have maturities earlier than their ultimate maturity
dates (E.G., securities with demand features). A substantial portion of the
Fund's portfolio will consist of fixed-income securities issued by U.S.
corporate issuers and by the U.S. Government, its agencies and
instrumentalities.
Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the Fund's total assets will
be invested in bonds (for purposes of this provision, debt securities, which had
at time of issuance a maturity of greater than one year, are defined as
"bonds"). Furthermore, a portion of the Fund's portfolio (up to 25% of the
Fund's total assets) may be invested in fixed-income securities issued by
foreign corporate and government issuers.
The Fund is designed for the investor who seeks a higher yield than a money
market fund and less fluctuation in net asset value than a longer-term bond
fund. In addition, while an investment in the Fund is not federally insured and
there is no guarantee of price stability (the Fund is not a money market fund
with a virtually constant net asset value per share), an investment in the Fund
- -- unlike a certificate of deposit ("CD") -- is not frozen for any specific
period of time, may be redeemed at any time without incurring early withdrawal
penalties, and may also provide a higher yield.
The non-governmental debt securities in which the Fund will invest will
include: (a) corporate debt securities, including bonds, notes and commercial
paper, rated in the four highest categories by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization ("NRSRO") including Moody's Investors Service,
Inc., Standard & Poor's Corporation, Duff and
5
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Phelps, Inc. and Fitch Investors Service, Inc.; (b) bank obligations, including
CDs, banker's acceptances and time deposits, issued by banks with a long-term CD
rating in one of the four highest categories by a NRSRO; and (c) investment
grade fixed-rate and adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed securities
(see below) of corporate issuers. Investments in securities rated within the
four highest rating categories by a NRSRO are considered "investment grade."
However, such securities rated within the fourth highest rating category by a
NRSRO 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. Where a fixed-income security is not
rated by a NRSRO (as may be the case with a foreign security) the Investment
Manager will make a determination of its creditworthiness and may deem it to be
investment grade.
The Fund may also invest in preferred stocks rated in one of the four
highest categories by a NRSRO.
Up to 5% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in fixed-income securities
rated below investment grade. Such lower-rated securities are considered to be
speculative investments and, while producing higher yields than investment grade
securities, are subject to greater credit risks. The Fund does not have any
minimum quality rating standards with respect to this portion of its portfolio.
If an investment grade fixed-income security held by the Fund is downgraded by a
rating agency to a grade below investment grade, the Fund may retain such
security in its portfolio unless such downgraded security, together with all
other non-investment grade fixed-income securities held by the Fund constitute,
in the aggregate, more than 5% of the Fund's net assets. In such event, the
Investment Manager will seek to sell such securities from its portfolio, as soon
as is reasonably practicable, in sufficient amounts to reduce this total to
below 5% of its net assets. A description of fixed-income security ratings is
contained in the Appendix to the Statement of Additional Information.
The United States Government securities (including zero coupon securities)
in which the Fund will invest include securities which are direct obligations of
the United States Government, such as United States treasury bills, and which
are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; securities which
are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States but which are
obligations of a United States agency or instrumentality (E.G., obligations of
the Government National Mortgage Association); securities issued by a United
States agency or instrumentality which has the right to borrow, to meet its
obligations, from an existing line of credit with the United States Treasury
(E.G., obligations of the Federal National Mortgage Association); securities
issued by a United States agency or instrumentality which is backed by the
credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality (E.G., obligations of the
Federal Farm Credit System); and governmentally issued mortgage-backed
securities.
In addition, as stated above, up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be
invested in securities issued by foreign corporations and governments and their
agencies and instrumentalities. Such securities may be denominated in foreign
currencies. The principal foreign currencies in which such securities will be
denominated are: the Australian dollar; Deutsche mark; Japanese yen; French
franc; British pound; Canadian dollar; Mexican peso; Swiss franc; Dutch guilder;
Austrian schilling; Spanish Peseta; Swedish Krona; and European Currency Unit.
The Fund will only invest in foreign securities which are rated by a NRSRO as
investment grade or which, if unrated, are deemed by the Investment Manager to
be of investment grade creditworthiness.
RISKS AND PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS
The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in the
market value of its portfolio securities. The market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities will increase or decrease due to a variety of economic,
market or political factors which cannot be predicted. The Fund's yield will
also vary based on the yield of the Fund's portfolio securities.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. As stated above, a portion of the Fund's
investments may be in Mortgage-Backed securities. Mortgage-Backed securities are
securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are
secured by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. The term
Mortgage-Backed securities as used herein includes adjustable rate mortgage
securities and derivative mortgage products such as collateralized mortgage
obligations, stripped Mortgage-Backed securities and other products described
below.
There are currently three basic types of Mortgage-Backed securities: (i)
those issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or one of its
agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and the
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") (securities issued by GNMA, but
not those issued by FNMA or FHLMC, are backed by the "full faith and credit" of
the United States); (ii) those issued by private issuers that represent an
interest in or are collateralized by Mortgage-Backed securities issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities; and (iii) those issued by private issuers that represent an
interest in or are collateralized by whole mortgage loans or Mortgage-Backed
securities without a government guarantee but usually having some form of
private credit enhancement (described below).
6
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The Fund will invest in mortgage pass-through securities representing
participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans originated by
United States governmental or private lenders and guaranteed, to the extent
provided in such securities, by the United States Government or one of its
agencies or instrumentalities. Such securities, which are ownership interests in
the underlying mortgage loans, differ from conventional debt securities, which
provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts (usually semiannually)
and principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates. Mortgage
pass-through securities provide for monthly payments that are a "pass-through"
of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made
by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees paid
to the guarantor of such securities and the servicer of the underlying mortgage
loans.
The guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities in which the Fund invests
include those issued or guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC. GNMA certificates
are direct obligations of the U.S. Government and, as such, are backed by the
"full faith and credit" of the United States. FNMA is a federally chartered,
privately owned corporation and FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the
United States. FNMA and FHLMC certificates are not backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States but the issuing agency or instrumentality has the
right to borrow, to meet its obligations, from an existing line of credit with
the U.S. Treasury. The U.S. Treasury has no legal obligation to provide such
line of credit and may choose not to do so.
Certificates for Mortgage-Backed securities evidence an interest in a
specific pool of mortgages. These certificates are, in most cases, "modified
pass-through" instruments, wherein the issuing agency guarantees the payment of
principal and interest on mortgages underlying the certificates, whether or not
such amounts are collected by the issuer on the underlying mortgages.
Private mortgage pass-through securities are structured similarly to the
GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by
originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan
associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special
purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a
pool of conventional fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans. Since private
mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity
having the credit status of GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, such securities generally are
structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.
The Fund may also invest in adjustable rate mortgage securities ("ARMs"),
which are pass-through mortgage securities collateralized by mortgages with
adjustable rather than fixed rates. ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage
pool generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for either the
first three, six, twelve or thirteen, twenty-four, thirty-six or longer
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. The Fund may invest in collateralized
mortgage obligations or "CMOs". CMOs are debt obligations collateralized by
mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities. Typically, CMOs are
collateralized by GNMA, FNMA, or FHLMC certificates, but also may be
collateralized by whole loans or private mortgage pass-through securities (such
collateral is collectively hereinafter referred to as "Mortgage Assets").
Multiclass pass-through securities are equity interests in a trust composed of
Mortgage Assets. Payments of principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets,
and any reinvestment income thereon, provide the funds to pay debt service on
the CMOs or make scheduled distributions on the multiclass pass-through
securities. CMOs may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the United
States Government, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage
loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial
banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.
The issuer of a series of CMOs may elect to be treated as a Real Estate
Mortgage Investment Conduit ("REMIC"). REMICs include governmental and/or
private entities that issue a fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in
real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of
securities, but unlike CMOs, which are required to be structured as debt
securities, REMICs may be structured as indirect ownership interests in the
underlying assets of the REMICs themselves. However, there are no effects on the
Fund from investing in CMOs issued by entities that have elected to be treated
as REMICs, and all future references to CMOs shall also be deemed to include
REMICs. In addition, in reliance upon an interpretation by the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to limitations contained in
Section 12(d) of the Act, the Fund may invest without limitation in CMOs and
other Mortgage-Backed securities which are not by definition excluded from the
provisions of the Act, and which have obtained exemptive
7
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orders from such provisions from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes.
Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a "tranche", is issued at a specific
fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution
date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets may cause the CMOs to be
retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution
dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on a monthly,
quarterly or semiannual basis. Certain CMOs may have variable or floating
interest rates and others may be stripped (securities which provide only the
principal or interest feature of the underlying security).
The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among
the several classes of a CMO series in a number of different ways. Generally,
the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the various classes
is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to the individual tranches than exists
with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general rule, the more
predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield
will be on that tranche at the time of issuance relative to prevailing market
yields on Mortgage-Backed securities. As part of the process of creating more
predictable cash flows on most of the tranches in a series of CMOs, one or more
tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the
cash flows on the underlying mortgage loans. The yields on these tranches are
generally higher than prevailing markets yields on Mortgage-Backed securities
with similar maturities. As a result of the uncertainty of the cash flows of
these tranches, the market prices of and yield on these tranches generally are
more volatile.
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in inverse floaters.
Inverse floaters constitute a class of CMOs with a coupon rate that moves
inversely to a designated index, such as the LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered
Rate) Index. Inverse floaters have coupon rates that typically change at a
multiple of the changes of the relevant index rate. Any rise in the index rate
(as a consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a drop in the coupon
rate of an inverse floater while any drop in the index rate causes an increase
in the coupon of an inverse floater. In addition, like most other fixed-income
securities, the value of inverse floaters will decrease as interest rates
increase. Inverse floaters exhibit greater price volatility than the majority of
mortgage pass-through securities or CMOs. In addition, some inverse floaters
exhibit extreme sensitivity to changes in prepayments. As a result, the yield to
maturity of an inverse floater is sensitive not only to changes in interest
rates but also to changes in prepayment rates on the related underlying Mortgage
Assets.
The Fund also may invest in, among other things, parallel pay CMOs and
Planned Amortization Class CMOs ("PAC Bonds"). Parallel pay CMOs are structured
to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class.
These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated
maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which, as with other CMO
structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution
date but may be retired earlier. PAC Bonds generally require payments of a
specified amount of principal on each payment date. PAC Bonds always are
parallel pay CMOs with the required principal payment on such securities having
the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes.
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Stripped Mortgage-Backed securities are
derivative multiclass mortgage securities. Stripped Mortgage-Backed securities
may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the United States Government,
or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings
and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and
special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. Up to 15% of the net assets of
the Fund may be invested in Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed securities usually are structured with two classes
that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distribution on
a pool of Mortgage Assets. A common type of Stripped Mortgage-Backed security
will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal
from the Mortgage Assets, while the other class will receive most of the
interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class
will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or "IO" class), while the
other class receive all of the principal (the principal-only or "PO" class). PO
classes generate income through the accretion of the deep discount at which such
securities are purchased, and, while PO classes do not receive periodic payments
of interest, they receive monthly payments associated with scheduled
amortization and principal prepayment from the Mortgage Assets underlying the PO
class. The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate
of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying Mortgage
Assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse
effect on the Fund's yield to maturity. If the underlying Mortgage Assets
experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail
to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities even if the
securities are rated investment grade.
The Fund may purchase Stripped Mortgage-Backed securities for income, or for
hedging purposes to protect the Fund's portfolio against interest rate
fluctuations. For example, since an IO class will tend to increase in value as
interest rates rise, it may be utilized to hedge against a decrease in value of
other fixed-income securities in a rising interest rate environment. The Fund's
management understands that the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") considers privately issued Stripped Mortgage-Backed securities
representing interest only or principal only components of U.S. Government or
other
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debt securities to be illiquid securities. The Fund will treat such securities
as illiquid so long as the staff maintains such position. The staff of the SEC
also takes the position that the determination of whether a particular
government-issued IO or PO backed by fixed-rate mortgages is liquid may be made
under guidelines and standards established by the Fund's Trustees. Such
securities may be deemed liquid if they can be disposed of promptly in the
ordinary course of business at a value reasonably close to that used in the
calculation of the net asset value per share. The Fund may not invest more than
15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
TYPES OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT. Mortgage-Backed securities are often backed by a
pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. To
lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments,
those securities may contain elements of credit support, which fall into two
categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses
resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets.
Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the
entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the receipt of payments
on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses
resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a
portion of assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through
guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or
sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction
or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support
provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting
the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or
losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an
investment in a security. In addition, any circumstances adversely affecting the
ability of third parties (E.G., insurance companies) to satisfy any of their
obligations with respect to any Mortgage-Backed security, such as a diminishment
of their creditworthiness, could adversely affect the value of the security. The
Fund will not pay any fees for credit support, although the existence of credit
support may increase the price of a security.
RISKS OF MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Mortgage-Backed securities have certain
different characteristics than traditional debt securities. Among the major
differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently,
usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time because the
underlying mortgage loans or other assets generally may be prepaid at any time.
As a result, if the Fund purchases such a security at a premium, a prepayment
rate that is faster than expected will reduce yield to maturity, while a
prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of
increasing yield to maturity. Alternatively, if the Fund purchases these
securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while
slower than expected prepayments will reduce, yield to maturity. The Fund may
invest a portion of its assets in derivative Mortgage-Backed securities such as
Stripped Mortgage-Backed securities which are highly sensitive to changes in
prepayment and interest rates. The Investment Manager seeks to manage these
risks (and potential benefits) by investing in a variety of such securities and
through hedging techniques.
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 and, as stated above, decreases during periods of
rising interest rates, as a result of prepayments and other factors, this is not
always the case with respect to Mortgage-Backed securities.
Although the extent of prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans depends on
various economic and other factors, as a general rule prepayments on fixed rate
mortgage loans will increase during a period of falling interest rates and
decrease during a period of rising interest rates. Accordingly, amounts
available for reinvestment by the Fund are likely to be greater during a period
of declining interest rates and, as a result, likely to be reinvested at lower
interest rates than during a period of rising interest rates. Mortgage-Backed
securities generally decrease in value as a result of increases in interest
rates and may benefit less than other fixed-income securities from declining
interest rates because of the risk of prepayment.
There are certain risks associated specifically with CMOs. CMOs issued by
private entities are not U.S. Government securities and are not guaranteed by
any government agency, although the securities underlying a CMO may be subject
to a guarantee. Therefore, if the collateral securing the CMO, as well as any
third party credit support or guarantees, is insufficient to make payment, the
holder could sustain a loss. Also, a number of different factors, including the
extent of prepayment of principal of the Mortgage Assets, affect the
availability of cash for principal payments by the CMO issuer on any payment
date and, accordingly, affect the timing of principal payments on each CMO
class. In addition, CMO classes with higher yields tend to be more volatile with
respect to cash flow of the underlying mortgages; as a result the market prices
of a yield on these classes tend to be more volatile.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in Asset-Backed securities.
Asset-Backed securities represent the securitization techniques used to develop
Mortgage-Backed securities applied to a broad range of other assets. Through the
use of trusts and special purpose corporations, various types of assets,
primarily automobile and credit card receivables and home equity loans, are
being securitized in pass-through structures similar to the mortgage
pass-through structures described above or in a pay-through structure similar to
the CMO structure.
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Asset-Backed securities involve certain risks that are not posed by
Mortgage-Backed securities, resulting mainly from the fact that Asset-Backed
securities do not usually contain the complete benefit of a security interest in
the related collateral. For example, credit card receivables generally are
unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state
and federal consumer credit laws, including the bankruptcy laws, some of which
may reduce the ability to obtain full payment. In the case of automobile
receivables, due to various legal and economic factors, proceeds for repossessed
collateral may not always be sufficient to support payments on these securities.
New instruments and variations of existing Mortgage-Backed securities and
Asset-Backed securities continue to be developed. The Fund may invest in any
such instruments or variations as may be developed, to the extent consistent
with its investment objective and policies and applicable regulatory
requirements.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. Foreign securities investments may be affected by changes
in currency rates or exchange control regulations, changes in governmental
administration or economic or monetary policy (in the United States and abroad)
or changed circumstances in dealings between nations. Fluctuations in the
relative rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations will
affect the value of the Fund's investments denominated in foreign currency.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar will
affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in that currency
and thereby impact upon the Fund's total return on such assets.
Foreign currency exchange rates are determined by forces of supply and
demand on the foreign exchange markets. These forces are themselves affected by
the international balance of payments and other economic and financial
conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors. Moreover,
foreign currency exchange rates may be affected by the regulatory control of the
exchanges on which the currencies trade. The foreign currency transactions of
the Fund will be conducted on a spot basis or through forward contracts or
futures contracts (described in the Statement of Additional Information). The
Fund 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 the more
rigorous uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and
requirements applicable to U.S. companies.
Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable securities
of U.S. issuers and, as such, their price changes may be more volatile.
Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally subject to less
government and exchange scrutiny and regulation than their American
counterparts. Brokerage commissions, dealer concessions and other transaction
costs may be higher on foreign markets than in the U.S. In addition, differences
in clearance and settlement procedures on foreign markets may occasion delays in
settlements of Fund trades effected in such markets. Inability to dispose of
portfolio securities due to settlement delays could result in losses to the Fund
due to subsequent declines in value of such securities and the inability of the
Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could result
in a failure of the Fund to make potentially advantageous investments. To the
extent the Fund purchases Eurodollar certificates of deposit issued by foreign
branches of domestic 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.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, which may
be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund, and which typically involve
the acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a selling financial
institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The
agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the
institution will repurchase, the underlying security ("collateral") at a
specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven
days from the date of purchase.
While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct
investments in debt securities, the Fund follows procedures designed to minimize
such risks. These procedures include effecting repurchase agreements only with
large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions whose
financial condition will be continually monitored by the Investment Manager
subject to procedures established by the Trustees of the Fund. In addition, as
described above, the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement
will be at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest
earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a
selling financial institution, the Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral.
However, the exercising of the Fund's right to liquidate such collateral could
involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale
upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase
price, the Fund could suffer a loss.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS. From time
to time, in the ordinary course
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<PAGE>
of business, the Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis or may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis.
When such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the
commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a month or more after the
date of the commitment. While the Fund will only purchase securities on a
when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis with the intention of
acquiring the securities, the Fund may sell the securities before the settlement
date, if it is deemed advisable. The securities so purchased or sold are subject
to market fluctuation and no interest accrues to the purchaser during this
period. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase or sell securities
on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, it will record
the transaction and thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such security
purchased or, if a sale, the proceeds to be received in determining its net
asset value. At the time of delivery of the securities, their value may be more
or less than the purchase or sale price. The Fund will also establish a
segregated account with its custodian bank in which it will continually maintain
cash or cash equivalents or other liquid 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 the Fund's assets committed
to the purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward
commitment basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.
WHEN, AS AND IF ISSUED SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase securities on a "when,
as and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the security depends upon
the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a merger, corporate
reorganization, leveraged buyout or debt restructuring. The commitment for the
purchase of any such security will not be recognized by the Fund until the
Investment Manager determines that issuance of the security is probable. At such
time, the Fund will record the transaction and, in determining its net asset
value, will reflect the value of the security daily. At such time, the Fund will
also establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in which it will
continuously maintain cash or U.S. Government securities or other liquid debt
portfolio securities equal in value to recognized commitments for such
securities. Settlement of the trade will occur within five business days of the
occurrence of the subsequent event. With respect to 75% of its total assets, the
value of the Fund's commitments to purchase the securities of any one issuer,
together with the value of all securities of such issuer owned by the Fund, may
not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the time the initial
commitment to purchase such securities is made (see "Investment Restrictions").
Subject to the foregoing restrictions, the Fund may purchase securities on such
basis without limit. An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets
committed to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may
increase the volatility of its net asset value. The Investment Manager and the
Trustees do not believe that the net asset value of the Fund will be adversely
affected by its purchase of securities on such basis.
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. A portion of the U.S. Government securities purchased
by the Fund may be "zero coupon" Treasury securities. These are U.S. Treasury
bills, notes and bonds which have been stripped of their unmatured interest
coupons and receipts or which are certificates representing interests in such
stripped debt obligations and coupons. In addition, a portion of the
fixed-income securities purchased by such Fund may be "zero coupon" securities.
"Zero coupon" securities are purchased at a discount from their face amount,
giving the purchaser the right to receive their full value at maturity. A zero
coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life. Its value to an
investor consists of the difference between its face value at the time of
maturity and the price for which it was acquired, which is generally an amount
significantly less than its face value (sometimes referred to as a "deep
discount" price).
The interest earned on such securities is, implicitly, automatically
compounded and paid out at maturity. While such compounding at a constant rate
eliminates the risk of receiving lower yields upon reinvestment of interest if
prevailing interest rates decline, the owner of a zero coupon security will be
unable to participate in higher yields upon reinvestment of interest received if
prevailing interest rates rise. For this reason, zero coupon securities are
subject to substantially greater market price fluctuations during periods of
changing prevailing interest rates than are comparable debt securities which
make current distributions of interest. Current federal tax law requires that a
holder (such as the Fund) of a zero coupon security accrue a portion of the
discount at which the security was purchased as income each year even though the
Fund receives no interest payments in cash on the securities during the year.
Currently, the only U.S. Treasury security issued without coupons is the
Treasury bill. However, in the last few years a number of banks and brokerage
firms have separated ("stripped") the principal portions from the coupon
portions of the U.S. Treasury bonds and notes and sold them separately in the
form of receipts or certificates representing undivided interests in these
instruments (which instruments are generally held by a bank in a custodial or
trust account).
Except as specifically noted, all investment policies and practices
discussed in this Prospectus are not fundamental policies of the Fund and, as
such, may be changed without shareholder approval.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund's portfolio is managed by its Investment Manager with a view to
achieving its investment objective. The Fund is managed within the Taxable
Income Group, which manages 24 taxable mutual funds and fund portfolios, with
approximately $12.8 billion in assets as of May 31, 1997.
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Rochelle G. Siegel, Senior Vice President of InterCapital and a member of
InterCapital's Corporate Bond Group, has been designated as the Fund's primary
portfolio manager. Ms. Siegel has been managing portfolios comprised of
fixed-income securities at InterCapital for over five years.
Securities purchased by the Fund are, generally, sold by dealers acting as
principal for their own accounts. Pursuant to an order issued by the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the Fund may effect principal transactions in certain
money market instruments with Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer
affiliate of the Investment Manager. In addition, the Fund may incur brokerage
commissions on transactions conducted through DWR.
Although the Fund does not intend to engage in substantial short-term
trading, it may sell portfolio securities without regard to the length of time
that they have been held, in order to take advantage of new investment
opportunities or yield differentials, or because the Fund desires to preserve
gains or limit losses due to changing economic conditions, interest rate trends,
or the financial condition of the issuer. The Fund anticipates a portfolio
turnover rate of no more than 100%.
INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT VEHICLES. Under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"), the Fund generally may invest up to 10% of its
total assets in the aggregate in shares of other investment companies and up to
3% of its total assets in any one investment company, as long as that investment
company does not represent more than 5% of the voting stock of the acquired
investment company at the time such shares are purchased. In addition, the Fund
may invest in real estate investment trusts, which pool investors' funds for
investments primarily in commercial real estate properties. Investment in other
investment companies may be the sole or most practical means by which the Fund
may participate in certain securities markets, and investment in real estate
investment trusts may be the most practical available means for the Fund to
invest in the real estate industry (the Fund is prohibited from investing in
real estate directly). As a shareholder in an investment company or real estate
investment trust, the Fund would bear its ratable share of that entity's
expenses, including its advisory and administration fees. At the same time the
Fund would continue to pay its own investment management fees and other
expenses, as a result of which the Fund and its shareholders in effect will be
absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in other
investment companies and in real estate investment trusts.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions that have
been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Act, a fundamental
policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Act.
The Fund may not:
1. 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.
3. 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
Mortgage-Backed securities or Asset-Backed securities or to any obligation
of the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of total or net assets will not be considered a
violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.
Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction, the Fund may
seek to achieve its investment objective by investing all or substantially all
of its assets in another investment company having substantially the same
investment objective and policies as the Fund.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
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The Fund offers its shares for sale to the public on a continuous basis at the
offering price without the imposition of a sales charge. The offering price will
be the net asset value per share next determined following receipt of an order
(see "Determination of Net Asset Value"). Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement
between the Fund and Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an
affiliate of the Investment Manager, shares of the Fund are distributed by the
Distributor and are offered by DWR and other broker-dealers which have entered
into agreements with the Dis-
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tributor ("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal executive office of the
Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
The minimum initial purchase is $1,000 and subsequent purchases of $100 or
more may be made by sending a check, payable to Dean Witter Short-Term Bond
Fund, directly to Dean Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent") at P.O. Box
1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303 or by contacting an account executive of DWR or
other Selected Broker-Dealers. The minimum initial purchase in the case of
investments through EasyInvest-SM-, an automatic purchase plan (see "Shareholder
Services"), is $100, provided that the schedule of automatic investments will
result in investments totalling at least $1,000 within the first twelve months.
In the case of investments pursuant to Systematic Payroll Deduction Plans, the
Fund, in its discretion, may accept investments without regard to any minimum
amounts which would otherwise be required if the Fund has reason to believe that
additional investments will increase the investment in all accounts under such
Plans to at least $1,000. Certificates for shares purchased will not be issued
unless a request is made by the shareholder in writing to the Transfer Agent.
Shares of the Fund are sold through the Distributor or a Selected
Broker-Dealer 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 or Selected Broker-Dealer. Shares of the Fund purchased
through the Distributor or Selected Broker-Dealer are entitled to dividends
beginning on the next business day following settlement date. Since DWR or any
other Selected Broker-Dealer may forward investors' funds on settlement date, it
will benefit from the temporary use of the funds if payment is made prior
thereto. Shares purchased through the Transfer Agent are entitled to dividends
beginning on the next business day following receipt of an order. As noted
above, orders placed directly with the Transfer Agent must be accompanied by
payment. Investors will be entitled to receive dividends or distributions if
their order is received by the close of business on the day prior to the record
date for such dividends and distributions.
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 various types of non-cash compensation as special
sales incentives, including trips, educational and/or business seminars and
merchandise. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any
purchase orders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has entered into a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Act with the Distributor whereby the Distributor is authorized to utilize
its own resources or those of its affiliates, including InterCapital, to finance
certain services and activities in connection with the distribution of the
Fund's shares. The principal activities and services which may be provided by
the Distributor, DWR, its affiliates and other Selected Broker-Dealers under the
Plan include: (1) compensation to, and expenses of, account executives and other
employees of DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers, 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
television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other media advertisements.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00 p.m.,
New York time, (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to
4:00 p.m., at such earlier time), on each day that the New York Stock Exchange
is open by taking the value of all assets of the Fund, subtracting all its
liabilities, dividing by the number of shares outstanding and adjusting to the
nearest cent. The net asset value per share will not be determined on Good
Friday and on such other federal and non-federal holidays as are observed by the
New York Stock Exchange.
In the calculation of the Fund's net asset value: (1) 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 when assets are valued; if there were no sales that
day, the security, is valued at the latest bid price (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. For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign portfolio
securities are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market
rates as of the morning of valuation. Dividends receivable are accrued as of the
ex-dividend date or as of the time that the relevant ex-dividend date and
amounts become known.
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
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not reflect the securities' market value, in which case these securities will be
valued at their fair value as determined by the Trustees.
Certain of the Fund's portfolio securities may be valued by an outside
pricing service approved by the Fund's Trustees. The pricing service 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, in determining what
it believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such
pricing service.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
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AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. All income dividends and
capital gains distributions are automatically paid in full and fractional shares
of the Fund, (or, if specified by the shareholder, any open-end investment
company for which InterCapital serves as investment manager (collectively, with
the Fund, the "Dean Witter Funds")) unless the shareholder requests that they be
paid in cash. Such dividends and distributions will be paid in shares of the
Fund at net asset value per share. 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 should be received by the
Transfer Agent at least five business days prior to the payment date for which
it commences to take effect. In the case of recently purchased shares for which
registration instructions have not been received on the record date, cash
payments will be made to DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer through whom shares
were purchased.
INVESTMENT OF DISTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN CASH. Any shareholder who receives a
cash payment representing a dividend or capital gains distribution may invest
such dividend or distribution at the net asset value next determined after
receipt by the Transfer Agent by returning the check or the proceeds to the
Transfer Agent within 30 days after the payment date.
EASYINVEST-SM-. Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an automatic purchase
plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to be transferred
automatically from a checking or savings account, on a semi-monthly, monthly or
quarterly basis, to the Fund's Transfer Agent for investment in shares of the
Fund (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" and "Redemptions and Repurchases --
Involuntary Redemption").
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal
Plan") is available for shareholders who own or purchase shares of the Fund
having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon the then current net asset value.
The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly or quarterly (March, June, September
and December) checks in any dollar amount, not less than $25, or in any whole
percentage of the account balance, on an annualized basis.
Shareholders should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further information about any of the
above services.
TAX-SHELTERED RETIREMENT PLANS. Retirement plans are available for use by the
self-employed, eligible Individual Retirement Accounts and Custodial Accounts
under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. Adoption of such plans
should be on advice of legal counsel or tax adviser. For further information
regarding plan administration, custodial fees and other details, investors
should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. An "Exchange Privilege", that is, the privilege of
exchanging shares of certain Dean Witter Funds for shares of the Fund, exists
whereby shares of various Dean Witter Funds which are open-end investment
companies sold with either a front-end (at time of purchase) sales charge ("FESC
funds") or a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC funds") may be redeemed at
their next calculated net asset value and the proceeds of the redemption may be
used to purchase shares of the Fund, Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust,
Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Balanced Income
Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, and Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal
Trust and shares of five Dean Witter Funds which are money market funds: Dean
Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market
Trust, Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily
Income Trust and Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust (which eleven
funds including the Fund are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Exchange Funds"). An exchange from an FESC fund or a CDSC fund to an Exchange
Fund is on the basis of the next calculated net asset value per share of each
fund after the exchange order is received. When exchanging into a money market
fund from an FESC fund or a CDSC fund, shares of the FESC fund or the CDSC fund
are redeemed at their next calculated net asset value and exchanged for shares
of the money market fund at their net asset value determined the following
business day. Subsequently, shares of the Exchange Funds received in an exchange
for shares of an FESC fund (regardless of the type of fund originally purchased)
may be redeemed and exchanged for shares of the other Exchange Funds, FESC funds
or CDSC funds (however, shares of CDSC funds, including shares acquired in
exchange for (i) shares of FESC funds or (ii) shares of the Exchange Funds which
were acquired in exchange for shares of FESC funds, may not be exchanged for
shares of FESC funds). Additionally, shares of the Exchange Funds received in an
exchange for shares of a CDSC fund
(regard-
14
<PAGE>
less of the type of fund originally purchased) may be redeemed and exchanged for
shares of the other Exchange Funds or CDSC funds. Ultimately, any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") will have to be paid upon redemption
of shares originally purchased from a CDSC fund. (If shares of the Exchange Fund
received in exchange for shares originally purchased from a CDSC fund are
exchanged for shares of another CDSC fund having a different CDSC schedule than
that of the CDSC fund from which the Exchange Fund's shares were acquired, the
shares will be subject to the higher CDSC schedule.) During the period of time
the shares originally purchased from a CDSC fund remain in an Exchange Fund
(calculated from the last day of the month in which the Exchange Fund shares
were acquired), the holding period (for the purpose of determining the rate of
CDSC) is frozen. If those shares are subsequently reexchanged for shares of a
CDSC fund, the holding period previously frozen when the first exchange was made
resumes on the last day of the month in which shares of the CDSC fund are
reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is based upon the period of time (calculated as
described above) the shareholder was invested in a CDSC fund. Exchanges
involving FESC funds or CDSC funds may be made after the shares of the FESC fund
or CDSC fund acquired by purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment)
have been held for thirty days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of
shares acquired by exchange or dividend reinvestment.
Purchases and exchanges should be made for investment purposes only. A
pattern of frequent exchanges may be deemed by the Investment Manager to be
abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders and,
at the Investment Manager's discretion, may be limited by the Fund's refusal to
accept additional purchases and/or exchanges from the investor. Although the
Fund does not have any specific definition of what constitutes a pattern of
frequent exchanges, and will consider all relevant factors in determining
whether a particular situation is abusive and contrary to the best interests of
the Fund and its other shareholders, investors should be aware that the Fund and
each of the other Dean Witter Funds may in their discretion limit or otherwise
restrict the number of times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any
investor. Any such restriction will be made by the Fund on a prospective basis
only, upon notice to the shareholder not later than ten days following such
shareholder's most recent exchange.
The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain one and read it carefully before
investing. Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and any
other conditions imposed by each fund. An exchange will be treated for federal
income tax purposes the same as a repurchase or redemption of shares on which
the shareholder has realized a capital gain or loss. However, the ability to
deduct capital losses on an exchange may be limited in situations where there is
an exchange of shares within ninety days after the shares are purchased. The
Exchange Privilege is only available in states where an exchange may legally be
made.
If DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer is the current dealer of record and
its account numbers are part of the account information, shareholders may
initiate an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of any of the above Dean
Witter Funds (for which the Exchange Privilege is available) pursuant to this
Exchange Privilege by contacting their DWR or other Selected Dealer account
executive (no Exchange Privilege Authorization Form is required). Other
shareholders (and those who are clients of DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
but who wish to make exchanges directly by writing or telephoning the Transfer
Agent) must complete and forward to the Transfer Agent an Exchange Privilege
Authorization Form, copies of which may be obtained from the Fund, to initiate
an exchange. If the Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be made in writing
or by contacting the Transfer Agent at (800) 869-NEWS (toll free). The Fund will
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange instructions communicated
over the telephone are genuine. Such procedures may include requiring various
forms of personal identification such as name, mailing address, social security
or other tax identification number and DWR or other Selected Dealer account
number (if any). Telephone instructions may also be recorded. If such procedures
are not employed, the Fund may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions.
Telephone exchange instructions will be accepted if received by the Transfer
Agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open. Any shareholder wishing to make an exchange who has
previously filed an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form and who is unable to
reach the Fund by telephone should contact his or her DWR or other Selected
Broker-Dealer account executive, if appropriate, or make a written exchange
request. Shareholders are advised that during periods of drastic economic or
market changes, it is possible that the telephone exchange procedures may be
difficult to implement, although this has not been the experience of the other
Dean Witter Funds in the past.
Additional information on the above is available from an account executive
of DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer or from the Transfer Agent.
15
<PAGE>
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEMPTION. Shares of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at any time at its
respective current net asset value per share (without any redemption or other
charge). If shares are held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate, a written request for redemption is required. If certificates are
held by the shareholder, the shares may be redeemed by surrendering the
certificates with a written request for redemption. The share certificate, or an
accompanying stock power, and the request for redemption, must be signed by the
shareholder or shareholders exactly as the shares are registered. Each request
for redemption, whether or not accompanied by a share certificate, must be sent
to the Fund's Transfer Agent at P.O Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303, which will
redeem the shares at their net asset value next determined (see "Purchase of
Fund Shares -- Determination of Net Asset Value") after it receives the request,
and certificates, if any, in good order. Any redemption request received after
such determination will be redeemed at the price next determined. The term "good
order" means that the share certificates, if any, and request for redemption are
properly signed, accompanied by any documentation required by the Transfer
Agent, and bear signature guarantees when required by the Fund or the Transfer
Agent. If redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust or
fiduciary, the Transfer Agent may require that written evidence of authority
acceptable to the Transfer Agent be submitted before such request will be
accepted. A stock power may be obtained from any dealer or commercial bank. The
Fund may change the signature guarantee requirements upon notice to
shareholders, which may be by means of a new Prospectus.
Whether certificates are held by the shareholder or shares are held in a
shareholder's account, if the proceeds are to be paid to any person other than
the record owner, or if the proceeds are to be paid to a corporation (other than
the Distributor for the account of the shareholder), partnership, trust or
fiduciary, or sent to the shareholder at an address other than the registered
address, signature(s) 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 an eligible guarantor).
REPURCHASE. DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers are authorized to repurchase
shares represented by a share certificate which is delivered to any of their
offices. Shares held in a shareholder's account without a share certificate may
also be repurchased by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers upon the telephonic
request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the net asset value next
determined (see "Purchase of Fund Shares -- Determination of Net Asset Value")
after such repurchase order is received by DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer.
Payment for shares repurchased may be made by the Fund to the Distributor for
the account of the shareholder. The offer by DWR and other Selected
Broker-Dealers to repurchase shares from shareholders may be suspended without
notice by them at any time. In that event, shareholders may redeem their shares
through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set forth above under "Redemption."
PAYMENT FOR SHARES REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED. Payment for shares presented for
repurchase or redemption will be made by check within seven days after receipt
by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in good order.
Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended under unusual
circumstances. If the shares to be redeemed have recently been purchased by
check, payment of the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time
needed to verify that the check used for investment has been honored (not more
than fifteen days from the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent).
Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another Selected
Broker-Dealer are referred to their account executive regarding restrictions on
redemption of shares of the Fund pledged in the margin account.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. A shareholder who has had his or her shares redeemed
or repurchased and has not previously exercised this reinstatement privilege
may, within thirty days after the date of the redemption or repurchase,
reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of such redemption or repurchase in
shares of the Fund at net asset value next determined after a reinstatement
request, together with the proceeds, is received by the Transfer Agent.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. The Fund reserves the right to redeem, on 60 days'
notice and at net asset value, the shares (other than shares held in an
Individual Retirement Account or custodial account under Section 403(b)(7) of
the Internal Revenue Code) of any shareholder whose shares have a value of less
than $100 as a result of redemptions or repurchases, or such lesser amount as
may be fixed by the Trustees or, in the case of an account opened through
EasyInvest-SM-, if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than
$1,000 in the account. However, before the Fund redeems such shares and sends
the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value
of the shares is less than the applicable amount and allow the shareholder sixty
days in which to make an additional investment in an amount which will increase
the value of his or her account to at least the applicable amount or more before
the redemption is processed.
16
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund declares dividends on each day the New
York Stock Exchange is open for business. Such dividends are payable monthly.
The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its daily net investment
income on an annual basis. Dividends from net capital gains, if any, will be
paid at least once each year.
Shareholders may instruct the Transfer Agent (in writing) to have their
dividends paid out monthly in cash. Processing of dividend checks begins
immediately following the monthly payment date. Shareholders who have requested
to receive dividends in cash will normally be sent their monthly dividend check
during the first ten days of the following month.
TAXES. Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income
and net short-term capital gains to shareholders and otherwise remain qualified
as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code, it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay any federal
income tax on such income and capital gains.
Shareholders who are required to pay taxes on their income will normally
have to pay federal income taxes, and any applicable state and/or local income
taxes, on the dividends and distributions they receive from the Fund. Such
dividends and distributions, to the extent that they are derived from net
investment income and net short-term capital gains, are taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary dividend income regardless of whether the shareholder
receives such distributions in additional shares or in cash. Any dividends
declared in the last quarter of any calendar year which are paid in the
following year prior to February 1 will be deemed, for tax purposes, to have
been received by the shareholder in the prior year.
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. It is not anticipated that any portion of the
Fund's distributions will be eligible for the dividends received deduction to
corporate shareholders.
The Fund 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.
After the end of the calendar year, shareholders will be sent full
information on their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax purposes,
including information as to the portion taxable as ordinary income and the
portion taxable as long-term capital gains.
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 who are not citizens or residents
of, or entities organized in, the United States may be subject to withholding
taxes of up to 30% on certain payments received from the Fund.
The foregoing discussion relates solely to the federal income tax
consequences of an investment in the Fund. Distributions may also be subject to
state and local taxes; therefore, each shareholder is advised to consult his or
her own tax adviser.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time the Fund may quote its "yield" and/or its "total return" in
advertisements and sales literature. Both the yield and the total return of the
Fund are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future
performance. The yield of the Fund is computed by dividing the net investment
income of the Fund 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 yield of the Fund.
From time to time the Fund may quote its "total return" in advertisements
and sales literature. The total return of the Fund is based on historical
earnings and is not intended to indicate future performance. The "average annual
total return" of the Fund refers to a figure reflecting the average annualized
percentage increase (or decrease) in the value of an initial investment in the
Fund of $1,000 over periods of one, five and ten years or over the life of the
Fund, if less than any of the foregoing. Average annual total return reflects
all income earned by the Fund, any appreciation or depreciation of the Fund's
assets, all expenses incurred by the Fund and any sales charges which would be
incurred by redeeming shareholders, for the period. It also assumes reinvestment
of all dividends and distributions paid by the Fund.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, and year-by-year or
other types of total return figures. The Fund may also advertise the growth of
hypothetical investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in shares of the Fund.
The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent organizations
(such as mutual fund performance rankings of Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.).
17
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOTING RIGHTS. All shares of beneficial interest of the Fund are of $0.01 par
value and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges. There are no
conversion, pre-emptive or other subscription rights. In the event of
liquidation, each share of beneficial interest of the Fund is entitled to its
portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debts and expenses have been paid.
The shares do not have cumulative voting rights.
The Fund is not required to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders and in
ordinary circumstances the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings. The
Trustees may call Special Meetings of Shareholders for action by shareholder
vote as may be required by the Act or the Declaration of Trust. Under certain
circumstances the Trustees may be removed by action of the Trustees or by the
shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for obligations of the
Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund, requires that Fund
obligations include such disclaimer, and provides for indemnification and
reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's property for any shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its
obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder personal liability, and
the nature of the Fund's assets and operations, in the opinion of Massachusetts
counsel to the Fund, the risk to 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
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 option 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.
MASTER/FEEDER CONVERSION. The Fund reserves the right to seek to achieve its
investment objective by investing all of its investable assets in a diversified,
open-end management investment company having the same investment objective and
policies and substantially the same investment restrictions as those applicable
to the Fund.
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.
18
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER
SHORT-TERM BOND FUND
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
TRUSTEES
Michael Bozic
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
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
Peter M. Avelar
Vice President
Rajesh K. Gupta
Vice President
Rochelle G. Siegel
Vice President
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286
TRANSFER AGENT AND
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
