<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS TABLE OF CONTENTS
APRIL 8, 1994 Prospectus Summary/2
Dean Witter Global Utilities Summary of Fund Expenses/3
Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end, The Fund and its Management/4
diversified management investment company Investment Objectives and Policies/4
whose investment objective is to seek both Investment Restrictions/9
capital appreciation and current income. The Underwriting/9
Fund seeks to meet its objective by Purchase of Fund Shares--
investing in equity and fixed-income Continuous Offering/10
securities of companies, issued by issuers Shareholder Services/12
worldwide, which are primarily engaged in Redemptions and Repurchases/14
the utilities industry. (See "Investment Dividends, Distributions and Taxes/16
Objective and Policies.") Performance Information/17
Initial Offering--Shares are being offered Additional Information/17
in an underwriting by Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. at $10.00 per share with
no underwriting commission, with all This Prospectus sets forth concisely the
proceeds going to the Fund. All expenses in information you should know before investing
connection with the organization of the Fund in the Fund. It should be read and retained
and this offering will be paid by the for future reference. Additional information
Investment Manager and Underwriter except about the Fund is contained in the Statement
for a maximum of $250,000 of organizational of Additional Information, dated April 8,
expenses to be reimbursed by the Fund. The 1994, which has been filed with the
initial offering will run from approximately Securities and Exchange Commission, and
April 25, 1994 through May 23, 1994. which is available at no charge upon request
Continuous Offering--A continuous offering of the Fund at the address or telephone
will commence approximately one week after numbers listed below. The Statement of
the closing date (anticipated for May 31, Additional Information is incorporated
1994) of the initial offering. Shares of the herein by reference.
Fund will be priced at the net asset value
per share next determined following receipt SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR
of an order. OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
Repurchases and/or redemptions of shares BY, ANY BANK, AND THE SHARES ARE NOT
purchased in either the initial offering or FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
the continuous offering are subject in most INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE
cases to a contingent deferred sales charge, BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
scaled down from 5% to 1% of the amount
redeemed, if made within six years of THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR
purchase, which charge will be paid to the DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
Fund's Underwriter/Distributor, Dean Witter COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
Distributors Inc. See "Repurchases and COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND
Redemptions--Contingent Deferred Sales EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
Charge." In addition, the Fund pays the COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
Underwriter/Distributor a Rule 12b-1 ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
distribution fee pursuant to a Plan of REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
Distribution at the annual rate of 1.0% of OFFENSE.
the lesser of the (i) average daily DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.,
aggregate net sales or (ii) average daily UNDERWRITER/DISTRIBUTOR
net assets of the Fund. See "Purchase of
Fund Shares--Continuous Offering--Plan of
Distribution." Dean Witter
Global Utilities Fund
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 526-3143
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The Fund The Fund is organized as a Trust, commonly known as a Massachusetts business
trust, and is an open-end, diversified management investment company. The Fund
invests in equity and fixed-income securities of companies, issued by issuers
worldwide, which are primarily engaged in the utilities industry.
Shares Offered Shares of beneficial interest with $.01 par value (see page 17).
Initial Shares are being offered in an Underwriting by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. at
Offering $10.00 per share with no underwriting discount or commission. The minimum
purchase is 100 shares ($1,000). Shares redeemed within six years of purchase are
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under most circumstances. The
initial offering will run approximately from April 25, 1994 through May 23, 1994.
The closing will take place on May 31, 1994 or such other date as may be agreed
upon by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. and the Fund (the "Closing Date"). Shares
will not be issued and dividends will not be declared by the Fund until after the
Closing Date. If any orders received during the initial offering period are
accompanied by payment, such payment will be returned unless an accompanying
request for investment in a Dean Witter money market fund is received at the time
the payment is made. Any purchase order may be cancelled at any time prior to the
Closing Date. (see page 9).
Continuous A continuous offering will commence within approximately one week after
Offering completion of the initial offering. During the continuous offering, the minimum
initial investment will be $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment will be
$100. (see page 10).
Investment The investment objective of the Fund is to seek both capital appreciation and
Objective current income.
Investment Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), the Investment Manager of the
Manager Fund, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., serve
in various investment management, advisory, management and administrative
capacities to 83 investment companies and other portfolios with assets of
approximately $70.9 billion at March 31, 1994 (see page 4).
Management The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.65% of
Fee daily net assets (see page 4).
Dividends and Dividends from net investment income are paid quarterly. Capital gains, if any,
Distributions are distributed at least annually or retained for reinvestment by the Fund.
Dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested in
additional shares at net asset value unless the shareholder elects to receive
cash (see page 16).
Underwriter Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Underwriter" or "Distributor"). The
and Distributor receives from the Fund a distribution fee accrued daily and payable
Distributor monthly at the rate of 1.0% per annum of the lesser of (i) the Fund's average
daily aggregate net sales or (ii) the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee
compensates the Distributor for the services provided in distributing shares of
the Fund and for sales related expenses. The Distributor also receives the
proceeds of any contingent deferred sales charges (see page 9).
Redemption-- Shares are redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value. An account may be
Contingent involuntarily redeemed if the total value of the account is less than $100.
Deferred Although no commission or sales load is imposed upon the purchase of shares, a
Sales contingent deferred sales charge (scaled down from 5% to 1%) is imposed on any
Charge redemption of shares if after such redemption the aggregate current value of an
account with the Fund falls below the aggregate amount of the investor's purchase
payments made during the six years preceding the redemption. However, there is no
charge imposed on redemption of shares purchased through reinvestment of
dividends or distributions (see page 14).
Risks The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in market
value of portfolio securities. The utilities industry has certain characteristics
and risks, and developments within that industry will affect the Fund's portfolio
(see page 6). The value of debt securities (and, to a lesser extent, equity
securities) issued by utilities industry issuers tends to have an inverse
relationship to movement of interest rates. It should be recognized that the
foreign securities and markets in which the Fund will invest pose different and
greater risks than those customarily associated with domestic securities and
their markets (see page 6).
THE ABOVE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS
AND IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of the
Fund will incur.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases............................... None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends.................... None
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of the lesser of
original purchase price or redemption proceeds)....................... 5.0 %
A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed at the following
declining rates:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE PERCENTAGE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
<S> <C>
First................................................................................... 5.0%
Second.................................................................................. 4.0%
Third................................................................................... 3.0%
Fourth.................................................................................. 2.0%
Fifth................................................................................... 2.0%
Sixth................................................................................... 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter.................................................................. None
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Redemption Fees......................................................... None
Exchange Fee............................................................ None
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Management Fees......................................................... 0.65%
12b-1 Fees*............................................................. 1.00%
Other Expenses.......................................................... 0.38%
Total Fund Operating Expenses**......................................... 2.03%
</TABLE>
Management and 12b-1 Fees are for the current fiscal period of the Fund
ending February 28, 1995. "Other Expenses," as shown above, are based upon
estimated amounts of expenses of the Fund for the fiscal period ending February
28, 1995.
*THE 12B-1 FEE IS ACCRUED DAILY AND PAYABLE MONTHLY, AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF
1.0% OF THE LESSER OF: (A) THE AVERAGE DAILY AGGREGATE GROSS SALES OF THE FUND'S
SHARES SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE FUND (NOT INCLUDING REINVESTMENTS OF DIVIDENDS
OR DISTRIBUTIONS), LESS THE AVERAGE DAILY AGGREGATE NET ASSET VALUE OF THE
FUND'S SHARES REDEEMED SINCE THE FUND'S INCEPTION UPON WHICH A CONTINGENT
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE HAS BEEN IMPOSED OR WAIVED, OR (B) THE FUND'S AVERAGE
DAILY NET ASSETS. A PORTION OF THE 12B-1 FEE EQUAL TO 0.25% OF THE FUND'S
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS IS CHARACTERIZED AS A SERVICE FEE WITHIN THE MEANING OF
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. ("NASD") GUIDELINES.
**"TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES," AS SHOWN ABOVE, IS BASED UPON THE SUM OF
THE 12B-1 FEES, MANAGEMENT FEES AND ESTIMATED "OTHER EXPENSES," WHICH MAY BE
INCURRED BY THE FUND.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 1 YEAR 3 YEARS
- --------------------------------------------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a
$1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual
return and
(2) redemption at the end of each time
period:.................................... $71 $94
You would pay the following expenses on the
same investment, assuming no redemption:... $21 $64
</TABLE>
THE ABOVE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OF THE FUND MAY BE GREATER OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. For a more complete description of these costs and expenses, see
"The Fund and its Management," "Plan of Distribution" and "Redemption and
Repurchases."
Long-term shareholders of the Fund may pay more in sales charges and
distribution fees than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales
charges permitted by the NASD.
3
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end diversified
management investment company. The Fund is a trust of the type commonly known as
a "Massachusetts business trust" and was organized under the laws of 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 Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC"), a
balanced financial services organization providing a broad range of nationally
marketed credit and investment products.
InterCapital and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company
Inc., serve in various investment management, advisory, management and
administrative capacities to eighty-three investment companies (the "Dean Witter
Funds"), thirty of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with
combined assets of approximately $68.9 billion at March 31, 1994. The Investment
Manager also manages portfolios of pension plans, other institutions and
individuals which aggregated approximately $2.0 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and manage the investment of the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities. InterCapital has retained Dean Witter Services Company Inc. to
perform the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund. The Fund's
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 0.65% to the Fund's net assets determined as of the
close of each business day.
The Fund's expenses include: the fee of the Investment Manager; the fee
pursuant to the Plan of Distribution (see "Purchase of Fund Shares"); taxes;
certain legal, transfer agent, custodian and auditing fees; and printing and
other expenses relating to the Fund's operations which are not expressly assumed
by the Investment Manager under its Investment Management Agreement with the
Fund. The Investment Manager has undertaken to assume all operating expenses
(except for the Plan of Distribution Fee and any brokerage fees) and waive the
compensation provided for in its Investment Management Agreement until such time
as the Fund has $50 million of net assets or until six months from the date of
commencement of the Fund's operations, whichever occurs first.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek both capital appreciation
and current income. The objective is a fundamental policy of the Fund and may
not be changed without shareholder approval. There is no assurance that the
objective will be achieved.
The Fund will attempt to meet its investment objective by investing (at
least 65% of its total assets) in equity and fixed-income securities of
companies, issued by issuers worldwide, which are engaged in the utilities
industry. The Fund's investment portfolio will be invested in at least three
separate countries.
The term "utilities industry" consists of companies engaged in the
manufacture, production, generation, transmission, sale and distribution of
water, gas and electric energy, or who manufacture or supply equipment for such
companies, as well as companies
4
<PAGE>
engaged in the communications field and the companies which manufacture or
supply equipment for such companies, including telephone, telegraph, satellite,
cable, microwave, radio-telephone, computer, mobile communication and cellular
paging, electronic mail, videotext and teletext and other new or emerging
technology companies. A company will be considered to be in the utilities
industry if, during the most recent twelve month period, at least 50% of the
company's gross revenues, on a consolidated basis, are derived from the
utilities industry. Under ordinary circumstances, at least 65% of the Fund's
total assets will be invested in securities of companies in the utilities
industry.
The principal currencies in which securities held in the Fund's portfolio
will be denominated are: the U.S. dollar; Australian dollar; Deutsche mark;
Japanese yen; French franc; British pound; Canadian dollar; Mexican peso; Swiss
franc; Dutch guilder; Hong Kong dollar; New Zealand dollar; Spanish Peseta;
Swedish Krona; and European Currency Unit.
The Investment Manager believes the Fund's investment policies are suited to
benefit from certain characteristics and historical performance of the
securities of utility companies. Many of these companies have historically set a
pattern of paying regular dividends over time, and the average common stock
dividend yield of utilities historically has substantially exceeded that of
industrial stocks. The Investment Manager believes that these factors may not
only provide current income but also generally tend to moderate risk and thus
may enhance the opportunity for appreciation of securities owned by the Fund,
although the potential for capital appreciation has historically been lower for
many utility stocks compared with most industrial stocks. There can be no
assurance that the historical investment performance of the utilities industry
will be indicative of future events and performance.
The Fund invests in both equity securities (common stock and securities
convertible into common stock) and fixed-income securities (bonds and preferred
stock) in the utilities industry. The Fund will shift its asset allocation
without restriction between types of utilities, among nationalities of issuers
and between equity and fixed-income securities, based upon the Investment
Manager's determination of how to achieve the Fund's investment objective in
light of prevailing market, economic and financial conditions.
Criteria utilized by the Investment Manager in the selection of equity
securities include the following screens: earnings and dividend growth; book
value; dividend discount; and price/earnings relationships. In addition, the
Investment Manager makes continuing assessments of management, the prevailing
regulatory framework and industry trends. The Investment Manager may also
utilize computer-based equity selection models. In keeping with the Fund's
objective, if in the opinion of the Investment Manager favorable conditions for
capital growth of equity securities are not prevalent at a particular time, the
Fund may allocate its assets predominantly or exclusively in debt securities
with the aim of obtaining current income and thus benefitting long term growth
of capital.
The Fund may purchase equity securities sold on the New York, American and
other domestic and foreign stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter market.
Fixed-income securities in which the Fund may invest are debt securities and
preferred stocks which are rated at the time of purchase Baa or better by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB or better by Standard &
Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or which, if unrated, are deemed to be of comparable
quality by the Fund's Investment Manager. Under normal circumstances, the
average weighted maturity of the fixed-income securities held by the Fund is
expected to be in excess of seven years. A description of corporate bond ratings
is contained in the Appendix to the Statement of Additional Information.
Investments in fixed-income securities rated either BBB by S&P or Baa by
Moody's (the lowest credit ratings designated "investment grade") have
speculative characteristics and, therefore, changes in economic conditions or
other circumstances are more likely to weaken their capacity to make principal
and interest payments than would be the case with investments in securities with
higher credit ratings. If a fixed-income security held by the Fund is rated BBB
or Baa and is subsequently downgraded by a rating agency,
5
<PAGE>
the Fund will retain such security in its portfolio until the Investment Manager
determines that it is practicable to sell the security without undue market or
tax consequences to the Fund. In the event that such downgraded securities
constitute 5% or more of the Fund's net assets, the Investment Manager will sell
such securities as soon as is practicable, in sufficient amounts to reduce the
total to below 5%.
The Fund may also invest in securities of foreign issuers in the form of
American Depository Receipts (ADRs), European Depository Receipts (EDRs) or
other similar securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. These
securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the
securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued
by a United States bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying
securities. EDRs are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement.
Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the United States
securities markets and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European
securities markets.
There may be periods during which, in the opinion of the Investment Manager,
market conditions warrant reduction of some or all of the Fund's securities
holdings. During such periods, the Fund may adopt a temporary "defensive"
posture in which greater than 35% of its net assets are invested in cash or
money market instruments. Money market instruments in which the Fund may invest
are securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (Treasury bills,
notes and bonds, including zero coupon securities); bank obligations (such as
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances); Yankee instruments;
Eurodollar certificates of deposit; obligations of savings institutions; fully
insured certificates of deposit; and commercial paper rated within the two
highest grades by Moody's or S&P or, if not rated, are issued by a company
having an outstanding debt issue rated at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's.
UTILITIES INDUSTRY
The utilities industry as a whole has certain characteristics and risks
particular to that industry. Unlike industrial companies, the rates which
utility companies may charge their customers generally are subject to review and
limitation by governmental regulatory commissions. Although rate changes of a
utility usually fluctuate in approximate correlation with financing costs, due
to political and regulatory factors, rate changes ordinarily occur only
following a delay after the changes in financing costs. This factor will tend to
favorably affect a utility company's earnings and dividends in times of
decreasing costs, but conversely will tend to adversely affect earnings and
dividends when costs are rising. In addition, the value of utility debt
securities (and, to a lesser extent, equity securities) tends to have an inverse
relationship to the movement of interest rates.
Among the risks affecting the utilities industry are the following: risks of
increases in fuel and other operating costs; the high cost of borrowing to
finance capital construction during inflationary periods; restrictions on
operations and increased costs and delays associated with compliance with
environmental and nuclear safety regulations; the difficulties involved in
obtaining natural gas for resale or fuel for generating electricity at
reasonable prices; the risks in connection with the construction and operation
of nuclear power plants; the effects of energy conservation and the effects of
regulatory changes, such as the possible adverse effects on profits of recent
increased competition among telecommunications companies and the uncertainties
resulting from such companies' diversification into new domestic and
international businesses, as well as agreements by many such companies linking
future rate increases to inflation or other factors not directly related to the
actual operating profits of the enterprise.
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
6
<PAGE>
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 foreign currency
exchange contracts (described below). 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 expro-
priations or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the use or transfer of Fund
assets and any effects of foreign social, economic or political instability.
Foreign companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements of U.S.
companies and, as such, there may be less publicly available information about
such companies. Moreover, foreign companies are not subject to uniform
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable securities
of U.S. issuers and, as such, their price changes may be more volatile.
Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally subject to less
government and exchange scrutiny and regulation than their American
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 the Fund's trades effected in such markets. As such, the
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.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. The Fund may enter into forward
foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") in connection with its
foreign securities investments.
A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a currency at
a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the
contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.
The Fund may enter into forward contracts as a hedge against fluctuations in
future foreign exchange rates.
The Fund will enter into forward contracts under various circumstances. When
the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security
denominated in a foreign currency, it may, for example, desire to "lock in" the
price of the security in U.S. dollars or some other foreign currency which the
Fund is temporarily holding in its portfolio. By entering into a forward
contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars or other
currency, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security
transactions, the Fund will be able to protect itself against a possible loss
resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar or
other currency which is being used for the security purchase (by the Fund or the
counterparty) and the foreign currency in which the security is denominated
during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold
and the date on which payment is made or received.
At other times, when, for example, the Fund's Investment Manager believes
that the currency of a
7
<PAGE>
particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S.
dollar or some other foreign currency, the Fund may enter into a forward
contract to sell, for a fixed amount of dollars or other currency, the amount of
foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's securities
holdings (or securities which the Fund has purchased for its portfolio)
denominated in such foreign currency. Under identical circumstances, the Fund
may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or
other currency, an amount of foreign currency other than the currency in which
the securities to be hedged are denominated approximating the value of some or
all of the portfolio securities to be hedged. This method of hedging, called
"cross-hedging," will be selected by the Investment Manager when it is
determined that the foreign currency in which the portfolio securities are
denominated has insufficient liquidity or is trading at a discount as compared
with some other foreign currency with which it tends to move in tandem.
In addition, when the Fund's Investment Manager anticipates purchasing
securities at some time in the future, and wishes to lock in the current
exchange rate of the currency in which those securities are denominated against
the U.S. dollar or some other foreign currency, the Fund may enter into a
forward contract to purchase an amount of currency equal to some or all of the
value of the anticipated purchase, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other
currency.
In all of the above circumstances, if the currency in which the Fund
securities holdings (or anticipated portfolio securities) are denominated rises
in value with respect to the currency which is being purchased (or sold), then
the Fund will have realized fewer gains than had the Fund not entered into the
forward contracts. Moreover, the precise matching of the forward contract
amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible,
since the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a
consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the
date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The Fund is
not required to enter into such transactions with regard to its foreign
currency-denominated securities and will not do so unless deemed appropriate by
the Investment Manager. The Fund generally will not enter into a forward
contract with a term of greater than one year, although it may enter into
forward contracts for periods of up to five years. The Fund may be limited in
its ability to enter into hedging transactions involving forward contracts by
the Internal Revenue Code requirements relating to qualification as a regulated
investment company (see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes").
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 government securities or other securities from a selling financial
institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The
agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the
institution will repurchase, the underlying security at a specified price and at
a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven days from the date of
purchase. While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with
direct investments in debt securities, the Fund follows procedures to minimize
such risks.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by its Investment Manager with a
view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. In determining which
securities to purchase for the Fund or hold in the Fund's portfolio, the
Investment Manager will rely on information from various sources, including
research, analysis and appraisals of brokers and dealers, including Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of InterCapital, the views of
Trustees of the Fund and others regarding economic developments and interest
rate trends, and the Investment Manager's own analysis of factors it deems
relevant. Edward F. Gaylor, Senior Vice President of InterCapital and a member
of InterCapital's Large Capitalization Equities Group, has been designated as
the primary portfolio manager of the Fund. Mr. Gaylor has been managing
portfolios comprised of equity and fixed-income securities at InterCapital for
over five years.
Although the Fund does not engage in substantial short-term trading as a
means of achieving its
8
<PAGE>
investment objective, it may sell portfolio securities without regard to the
length of time they have been held, in accordance with the investment policies
described earlier. Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Fund may effect principal transactions in certain money market
instruments with DWR. In addition, the Fund may incur brokerage commissions on
transactions conducted through DWR. Under normal circumstances, it is not
anticipated that the portfolio trading will result in the Fund's portfolio
turnover rate exceeding 100% in any one year.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions which
have been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (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. For purposes of the following limitations: (i)
all percentage limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial
investment, and (ii) any subsequent change in any applicable percentage
resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets does
not require elimination of any security from the portfolio.
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. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers in any one industry, with the exception of the utilities industry.
This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the
United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
3. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities
of issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three
years of continuous operation. This restriction shall not apply to any
obligation issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
4. As to 75% of its total assets, purchase more than 10% of the voting
securities, or more than 10% of any class of securities, of any issuer.
UNDERWRITING
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Underwriter") has agreed to purchase up
to 10,000,000 shares from the Fund, which number may be increased or decreased
in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement. The initial offering will run
approximately from April 25, 1994 through May 23, 1994. The Underwriting
Agreement provides that the obligation of the Underwriter is subject to certain
conditions precedent and that the Underwriter will be obligated to purchase the
shares on May 31, 1994, or such other date as may be agreed upon by the
Underwriter and the Fund (the "Closing Date"). Shares will not be issued and
dividends will not be declared by the Fund until after the Closing Date. For
this reason, payment is not required to be made prior to the Closing Date. If
any orders received during the initial offering period are accompanied by
payment, such payment will be returned unless an accompanying request for
investment in a Dean Witter money market fund is received at the time the
payment is made. Prospective investors in money market funds should request and
read the money market fund prospectus prior to investing. All such funds
received and invested in a Dean Witter money market fund will be automatically
invested in the Fund on the Closing Date without any further action by the
investor. Any investor may cancel his or her purchase of Fund shares without
penalty at any time prior to the Closing Date.
The Underwriter will purchase shares from the Fund at $10.00 per share. No
underwriting discounts or
9
<PAGE>
selling commissions will be deducted from the initial public offering price. The
Underwriter may, however, receive contingent deferred sales charges from future
redemptions of such shares (see "Repurchases and Redemptions--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge").
The Underwriter shall, regardless of its expected underwriting commitment,
be entitled and obligated to purchase only the number of shares for which
purchase orders have been received by the Underwriter prior to 2:00 p.m., New
York time, on the third business day preceding the Closing Date, or such other
date as may be agreed to between the parties.
The minimum number of Fund shares which may be purchased by any shareholder
pursuant to this offering is 100 shares. Certificates for shares purchased will
not be issued unless requested by the shareholder in writing.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES--CONTINUOUS OFFERING
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") will act as the
Distributor of the Fund's shares during the continuous offering. Pursuant to a
Distribution Agreement between the Fund and the Distributor, shares of the Fund
are distributed by the Distributor and offered by DWR and other dealers which
have entered into agreements with the Distributor ("Selected Broker-Dealers").
The principal executive office of the Distributor, an affiliate of InterCapital,
is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
The minimum initial purchase is $1,000. Minimum subsequent purchases of $100
or more may be made by sending a check, payable to Dean Witter Global Utilities
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-Dealer. In the case of investments pursuant to Systematic
Payroll Deduction Plans (including Individual Retirement Plans), the Fund, in
its discretion, may accept investments without regard to any minimum amounts
which would otherwise be required if the Fund has reason to believe that
additional investments will increase the investment in all accounts under such
Plans to at least $1,000. Certificates for shares purchased will not be issued
unless a request is made by the shareholder in writing to the Transfer Agent.
The offering price will be the net asset value per share next determined
following receipt of an order (see "Determination of Net Asset Value").
Shares of the Fund are sold through the Distributor on a normal five
business day settlement basis; that is, payment is due on the fifth business day
(settlement date) after the order is placed with the Distributor. Shares of the
Fund purchased through the Distributor are entitled to any dividends declared
beginning on the next business day following settlement date. Since DWR and
other Selected Broker-Dealers forward investors' funds on settlement date, they
will benefit from the temporary use of the funds if payment is made prior
thereto. Shares purchased through the Transfer Agent are entitled to any
dividends declared beginning on the next business day following receipt of an
order. As noted above, orders placed directly with the Transfer Agent must be
accompanied by payment. While no sales charge is imposed at the time shares are
purchased, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed at the time of
redemption (see "Redemptions and Repurchases"). The Fund and the Distributor
reserve the right to reject any purchase orders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act (the "Plan"), under which the Fund pays the Distributor a fee, which is
accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser of:
(a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's shares since the
inception of the Fund (not including reinvestments of dividends or capital gains
distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's
shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a contingent deferred
sales charge has been imposed or waived; or (b) the Fund's average daily net
assets. This fee is treated by the Fund as an expense in the year it is accrued.
A portion of the fee payable pursuant to the Plan, equal to 0.25% of the Fund's
average daily net assets, is characterized as a service fee within the meaning
of NASD guidelines.
10
<PAGE>
Amounts paid under the Plan are paid to the Distributor for services
provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others in the
distribution of the Fund's shares, including the payment of commissions for
sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of DWR's
account executives and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or
who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses;
printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with
the offering of the Fund's shares to other than current shareholders; and
preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising
materials. In addition, the Distributor may utilize fees paid pursuant to the
Plan to compensate DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers for their opportunity
costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a
carrying charge on any unreimbursed expenses.
At any given time, the expenses in distributing shares of the Fund may be in
excess of the total of (i) the payments made by the Fund pursuant to the Plan,
and (ii) the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors
upon the redemption of shares (see "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge"). For example, if $1 million in expenses in distributing
shares of the Fund had been incurred and $750,000 had been received as described
in (i) and (ii) above, the excess expense would amount to $250,000.
Because there is no requirement under the Plan that the Distributor be
reimbursed for all distribution expenses or any requirement that the Plan be
continued from year to year, such excess amount, if any, does not constitute a
liability of the Fund. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay
expenses incurred in excess of payments made to the Distributor under the Plan,
and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon
redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated the Trustees will
consider at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. Any cumulative
expenses incurred, but not yet recovered through distribution fees or contingent
deferred sales charges, may or may not be recovered through future distribution
fees or contingent deferred sales charges.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00
p.m., New York time, on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open by
taking the value of all assets of the Fund, subtracting all its liabilities,
dividing by the number of shares outstanding and adjusting to the nearest cent.
The net asset value per share will not be determined on Good Friday and on such
other federal and non-federal holidays as are observed by the New York Stock
Exchange.
In the calculation of the Fund's net asset value: (1) an equity portfolio
security listed or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange is valued
at its latest sale price on that exchange; if there were no sales that day, the
security is valued at the latest bid price (in cases where a security is traded
on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as
the primary market by the Trustees); and (2) all other portfolio securities for
which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the
latest bid price. When market quotations are not readily available, including
circumstances under which it is determined by the Investment Manager that sale
and bid prices are not reflective of a security's market value, portfolio
securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under
procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board of
Trustees. For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign portfolio securities,
other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency
are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates 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 not reflect the securities' fair 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
11
<PAGE>
Fund's Trustees. The pricing service utilizes a matrix system incorporating
security quality, maturity and coupon as the evaluation model parameters, and/or
research evaluations by its staff, including review of broker-dealer market
price quotations, in determining what it believes is the fair valuation of the
portfolio securities valued by such pricing service.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. All income dividends
and capital gains distributions are automatically paid in full and fractional
shares of the Fund (or, if specified by the shareholder, any other open-end
investment company for which InterCapital serves as investment manager
(collectively, with the Fund, the "Dean Witter Funds")), unless the shareholder
requests that they be paid in cash. Shares as acquired are not subject to the
imposition of a contingent deferred sales charge upon their redemption (see
"Redemptions and Repurchases").
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 per share next determined
after receipt by the Transfer Agent, by returning the check or the proceeds to
the Transfer Agent within thirty days after the payment date. Shares so acquired
are not subject to the imposition of a contingent deferred sales charge upon
their redemption (see "Redemptions and Repurchases").
EASYINVEST-SM-. Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an automatic
purchase plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to be
transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a semi-monthly,
monthly or quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for investment in shares of
the Fund.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal
Plan") is available for shareholders who own or purchase shares of the Fund
having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon the then current net asset value.
The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly or quarterly (March, June, September
and December) checks in any dollar amount, not less than $25, or in any whole
percentage of the account balance, on an annualized basis. Any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed on shares redeemed under the
Withdrawal Plan (See "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge"). Therefore, any shareholder participating in the Withdrawal Plan will
have sufficient shares redeemed from his or her account so that the proceeds
(net of any applicable contingent deferred sales charge) to the shareholder will
be the designated monthly or quarterly amount.
Withdrawal Plan payments should not be considered as dividends, yields or
income. If periodic withdrawal plan payments continuously exceed net investment
income and net capital gains, the shareholder's original investment will be
correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.
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
corporations, the self-employed, Individual Retirement Accounts and Custodial
Accounts under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. Adoption of such
plans should be on advice of legal counsel or tax adviser.
For further information regarding plan administration, custodial fees and
other details, investors should contact their DWR or other Selected Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
The Fund makes available to its shareholders an "Exchange Privilege"
allowing the exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of other Dean Witter
Funds sold with a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC funds"), and for
shares of Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term
Bond Fund, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust and five Dean Witter Funds
which are money market
12
<PAGE>
funds (the foregoing eight non-CDSC funds are hereinafter collectively referred
to as the "Exchange Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of the Fund
acquired by purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been held
for thirty days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares acquired by
exchange or dividend reinvestment.
An exchange to another CDSC fund or to any Exchange Fund that is not a money
market fund is on the basis of the next calculated net asset value per share of
each fund after the exchange order is received. When exchanging into a money
market fund from the Fund, shares of the Fund are redeemed out of the Fund at
their next calculated net asset value and the proceeds of the redemption are
used to purchase shares of the money market fund at their net asset value
determined the following business day. Subsequent exchanges between any of the
money market funds and any of the CDSC funds can be effected on the same basis.
No contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") is imposed at the time of any
exchange, although any applicable CDSC will be imposed upon ultimate redemption.
Shares of the Fund acquired in exchange for shares of another CDSC fund having a
different CDSC schedule than that of this Fund will be subject to the CDSC
schedule of this Fund, even if such shares are subsequently re-exchanged for
shares of the CDSC fund originally purchased. During the period of time the
shareholder remains in the Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of the
month in which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the holding period (for
the purpose of determining the rate of the CDSC) is frozen. If those shares are
subsequently reexchanged for shares of a CDSC fund, the holding period
previously frozen when the first exchange was made resumes on the last day of
the month in which shares of a CDSC fund are reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is based
upon the time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in a
CDSC fund (see "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
However, in the case of shares exchanged into an Exchange Fund, upon a
redemption of shares which results in a CDSC being imposed, a credit (not to
exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be given in an amount equal to the Exchange
Fund 12b-1 distribution fees incurred on or after that date which are
attributable to those shares. (Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees are
described in the prospectuses for those funds.)
In addition, shares of the Fund may be acquired in exchange for shares of
Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("front-end sales charge
funds"), but shares of the Fund, however acquired, may not be exchanged for
shares of front-end sales charge funds. Shares of a CDSC fund acquired in
exchange for shares of a front-end sales charge fund (or in exchange for shares
of other Dean Witter Funds for which shares of a front-end sales charge fund
have been exchanged) are not subject to any CDSC upon their redemption.
Purchases and exchanges should be made for investment purposes only. A
pattern of frequent exchanges may be deemed by the Investment Manager to be
abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders and,
at the Investment Manager's discretion, may be limited by the Fund's refusal to
accept additional purchases and/or exchanges from the investor. Although the
Fund does not have any specific definition of what constitutes a pattern of
frequent exchanges, and will consider all relevant factors in determining
whether a particular situation is abusive and contrary to the best interests of
the Fund and its other shareholders, investors should be aware that the Fund and
each of the other Dean Witter Funds may in their discretion limit or otherwise
restrict the number of times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any
investor. Any such restriction will be made by the Fund on a prospective basis
only, upon notice of the shareholder not later than ten days following such
shareholder's most recent exchange. Also, the Exchange Privilege may be
terminated or revised at any time by the Fund and/or any of such Dean Witter
Funds for which shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such notice as may
be required by applicable regulatory agencies.
The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain a copy and examine it carefully
13
<PAGE>
before investing. Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement
and any other conditions imposed by each fund. An exchange will be treated for
federal income tax purposes the same as a repurchase or redemption of shares, on
which the shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss. However, the ability
to deduct capital losses on an exchange may be limited in situations where there
is an exchange of shares within ninety days after the shares are purchased. The
Exchange Privilege is only available in states where an exchange may legally be
made.
If DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer is the current dealer of record and
its account numbers are part of the account information, shareholders may
initiate an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of any of the Dean Witter
Funds (for which the Exchange Privilege is available) pursuant to this Exchange
Privilege by contacting their account executive (no Exchange Privilege
Authorization Form is required). Other shareholders (and those shareholders who
are clients of DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealers but who wish to make
exchanges directly by writing or telephoning the Transfer Agent) must complete
and forward to the Transfer Agent an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form,
copies of which may be obtained from the Transfer Agent, to initiate an
exchange. If the Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be made in writing or
by contacting the Transfer Agent at (800) 526-3143 (toll free).
The Fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange
instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. Such procedures may
include requiring various forms of personal identification such as name, mailing
address, social security or other tax identification number and DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealer account number (if any). Telephone instructions may also
be recorded. If such procedures are not employed, the Fund may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
Telephone exchange instructions will be accepted if received by the Transfer
Agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open. Any shareholder wishing to make an exchange who has
previously filed an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form and who is unable to
reach the Fund by telephone should contact his or her DWR or other Selected
Broker-Dealer account executive, if appropriate, or make a written exchange
request. Shareholders are advised that during periods of drastic economic or
market changes, it is possible that the telephone exchange procedures may be
difficult to implement, although this has not been the experience with the Dean
Witter Funds in the past.
Shareholders should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further information about the
Exchange Privilege.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEMPTION. Shares of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at any time at the
net asset value per share next determined; however, such redemption proceeds may
be reduced by the amount of any applicable contingent deferred sales charges
(see below). If shares are held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate, a written request for redemption to the Fund's Transfer Agent at
P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303 is required. If certificates are held by the
shareholder(s), the shares may be redeemed by surrendering the certificates with
a written request for redemption, along with any additional information required
by the Transfer Agent.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE. Shares of the Fund which are held for six
years or more after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month in which
the shares were purchased) will not be subject to any charge upon redemption.
Shares redeemed sooner than six years after purchase may, however, be subject to
a charge upon redemption. This charge is called a "contingent deferred sales
charge" ("CDSC"), which will be a percentage of the dollar amount of shares
redeemed and will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current
market value or the cost of the shares being redeemed. The
14
<PAGE>
size of this percentage will depend upon how long the shares have been held, as
set forth in the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED
SALES CHARGE
AS A PERCENTAGE OF
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE AMOUNT REDEEMED
- --------------------------------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
First........................................ 5.0%
Second....................................... 4.0%
Third........................................ 3.0%
Fourth....................................... 2.0%
Fifth........................................ 2.0%
Sixth........................................ 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter....................... None
</TABLE>
A CDSC will not be imposed on: (i) any amount which represents an increase
in value of shares purchased within the six years preceding the redemption; (ii)
the current net asset value of shares purchased more than six years prior to the
redemption; and (iii) the current net asset value of shares purchased through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions and/or shares acquired in exchange
for shares of Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge or of other
Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for such shares. Moreover, in determining
whether a CDSC is applicable it will be assumed that amounts described in (i),
(ii) and (iii) above (in that order) are redeemed first.
In addition, the CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case
of: (i) redemptions of shares held at the time a shareholder dies or becomes
disabled, only if the shares are (a) registered either in the name of an
individual shareholder (not a trust), or in the names of such shareholder and
his or her spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship, or (b) held in a
qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan, Individual Retirement
Account or Custodial Account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue
Code, provided in either case that the redemption is requested within one year
of the death or initial determination of disability, and (ii) redemptions in
connection with the following retirement plan distributions: (a) lump-sum or
other distributions from a qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan
following retirement (or in the case of a "key employee" of a "top heavy" plan,
following attainment of age 59 1/2;
(b) distributions from an Individual Retirement Account or Custodial Account
under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code following attainment of age
59 1/2); and (c) a tax-free return of an excess contribution to an IRA. For the
purpose of determining disability, the Distributor utilizes the definition of
disability contained in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, which
relates to the inability to engage in gainful employment. All waivers will be
granted only following receipt by the Distributor of confirmation of the
shareholder's entitlement.
REPURCHASE. DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers are authorized to
repurchase shares represented by a share certificate which is delivered to any
of their offices. Shares held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate may also be repurchased by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers
upon the telephonic request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the net
asset value next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares") after such repurchase
order is received by DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer, reduced by any
applicable CDSC.
The CDSC, if any, will be the only fee imposed by either the Fund, the
Distributor or DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer. The offer by DWR and other
Selected Broker-Dealers to repurchase shares may be suspended without notice by
the Distributor at any time. In that event, shareholders may redeem their shares
through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set forth above under "Redemption."
PAYMENT FOR SHARES REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED. Payment for shares presented for
repurchase or redemption will be made by check within seven days after receipt
by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in good order.
Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended under unusual
circumstances; E.G., when normal trading is not taking place on the New York
Stock Exchange. If the shares to be redeemed have recently been purchased by
check, payment of the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time
needed to verify that the check used for investment has been honored (not more
than fifteen days from the time of receipt of the check by the
15
<PAGE>
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 their net asset value next determined after
a reinstatement request, together with the proceeds, is received by the Transfer
Agent and receive a pro-rata credit for any CDSC paid in connection with such
redemption or repurchase.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. The Fund reserves the right to redeem, on sixty
days' notice and at net asset value, the shares of any shareholder (other than
shares held in an Individual Retirement Account or custodial account under
Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code) whose shares due to redemptions
by the shareholder have a value of less than $100 or such lesser amount as may
be fixed by the Trustees. However, before the Fund redeems such shares and sends
the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value
of the shares is less than $100 and allow him or her sixty days to make an
additional investment in an amount which will increase the value of his or her
account to $100 or more before the redemption is processed. No CDSC will be
imposed on any involuntary redemption.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund intends to pay dividends and to
distribute substantially all of its net investment income quarterly. The Fund
intends to distribute capital gains, if any, once each year. The Fund may,
however, determine either to distribute or to retain all or part of any
long-term capital gains in any year for reinvestment.
All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be paid in additional
Fund shares and automatically credited to the shareholder's account without
issuance of a share certificate unless the shareholder requests in writing that
all dividends and/or distributions be paid in cash. (See "Shareholder Services--
Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions".)
TAXES. Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment
income and net short-term capital gains to shareholders and otherwise qualify as
a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code,
it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay any Federal income tax
on any such income and capital gains. Shareholders will normally have to pay
Federal income taxes, and any state and local income taxes, on the dividends and
distributions they receive from the Fund.
Distributions of 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. Some
part of such dividends and distributions may be eligible for the Federal
dividends received deduction available to the Fund's corporate shareholders.
Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has
held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in
additional shares or in cash. Capital gains distributions are not eligible for
the dividends received deduction.
After the end of the calendar year, shareholders will be sent full
information on their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax purposes.
To avoid being subject to a 31% Federal backup withholding tax on taxable
dividends, capital gains distributions and the proceeds of redemptions and
repurchases, shareholders' taxpayer identification numbers must be furnished and
certified as to their accuracy.
Dividends, interest and gains received by the Fund may give rise to
withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. If it qualifies for
and
16
<PAGE>
makes the appropriate election with the Internal Revenue Service, the Fund will
report annually to its shareholders the amount per share of such taxes to enable
shareholders to claim United States foreign tax credits or deductions with
respect to such taxes. In the absence of such an election, the Fund would deduct
foreign tax in computing the amount of its distributable income.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to the applicability of
the foregoing to their current situation.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time the Fund may quote its "yield" and/or its "total return"
in advertisements and sales literature. Both the yield and the total return of
the Fund are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate
future performance. The yield of the Fund is computed by dividing the Fund's net
investment income over a 30-day period by an average value (using the average
number of shares entitled to receive dividends and the net asset value per share
at the end of the period), all in accordance with applicable regulatory
requirements. Such amount is compounded for six months and then annualized for a
twelve-month period to derive the Fund's yield.
The "average annual total return" of the Fund refers to a figure reflecting
the average annualized percentage increase (or decrease) in the value of an
initial investment in the Fund of $1,000 over the life of the Fund. Average
annual total return reflects all income earned by the Fund, any appreciation or
depreciation of the Fund's assets, all expenses incurred by the Fund and all
sales charges incurred by shareholders, for the stated periods. It also assumes
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions paid by the Fund.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, 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.
Such calculations may or may not reflect the deduction of the contingent
deferred sales charge which, if reflected, would reduce the performance quoted.
The Fund 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOTING RIGHTS. All shares of beneficial interest of the Fund are of $0.01
par value and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges.
The Fund is not required to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders and in
ordinary circumstances the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings. The
Trustees may call Special Meetings of Shareholders for action by shareholder
vote as may be required by the Act or the Declaration of Trust. Under certain
circumstances the Trustees may be removed by action of the Trustees or by the
shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for obligations of the
Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund, 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.
17
<PAGE>
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.
The Investment Manager provided the initial capital for the Fund by
purchasing 10,000 shares of the Fund for $100,000 on February 24, 1994. As of
the date of this Prospectus, the Investment Manager owned 100% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund. The Investment Manager may be deemed to control
the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding shares of
the Fund.
18
<PAGE>
THE DEAN WITTER FAMILY OF FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
EQUITY FUNDS
Dean Witter American Value Fund
Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
Dean Witter Equity Income Trust
Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
Dean Witter Utilities Fund
Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
DEAN WITTER RETIREMENT SERIES
Liquid Asset Series
U.S. Government Money Market Series
U.S. Government Securities Series
Intermediate Income Securities Series
American Value Series
Capital Growth Series
Dividend Growth Series
Strategist Series
Utilities Series
Value-Added Market Series
Global Equity Series
ASSET ALLOCATION FUNDS
Dean Witter Managed Assets Trust
Dean Witter Strategist Fund
ACTIVE ASSETS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
Active Assets Money Trust
Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
Active Assets Government Securities Trust
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Dean Witter
Global Utilities Fund
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
TRUSTEES
Jack F. Bennett
Michael Bozic
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Dr. John E. Jeuck
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Paul Kolton
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder
Edward R. Telling
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Edward F. Gaylor
Vice President
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
110 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286
TRANSFER AGENT AND
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
INVESTMENT MANAGER PROSPECTUS -- APRIL 8, 1994
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
</TABLE>
