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DEAN WITTER
INTERNATIONAL SMALLCAP FUND
PROSPECTUS--JULY 24, 1996
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DEAN WITTER INTERNATIONAL SMALLCAP FUND (THE "FUND") IS AN OPEN-END,
NON-DIVERSIFIED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY WHOSE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO
SEEK LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL. THE FUND SEEKS TO MEET ITS INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE BY INVESTING PRIMARILY IN SECURITIES OF SMALL NON-U.S. COMPANIES.
Shares of the Fund are continuously offered at net asset value without the
imposition of a sales charge. However, redemptions and/or repurchases are
subject in most cases to a contingent deferred sales charge, scaled down from 5%
to 1% of the amount redeemed, if made within six years of purchase, which charge
will be paid to the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (See
"Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.") In addition,
the Fund pays the Distributor a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee pursuant to a Plan
of Distribution at the annual rate of 1% of the lesser of the (i) average daily
aggregate net sales or (ii) average daily net assets of the Fund. (See "Purchase
of Fund Shares--Plan of Distribution.")
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 24, 1996, 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
Risk Considerations and Investment Practices.... 6
Investment Restrictions........................... 11
Purchase of Fund Shares........................... 11
Shareholder Services.............................. 13
Redemptions and Repurchases....................... 15
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
INTERNATIONAL SMALLCAP 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 an open-end, non-diversified management investment company. The Fund invests
primarily in securities of small non- U.S. companies.
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SHARES OFFERED Shares of beneficial interest with $0.01 par value (see page 18).
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MINIMUM Minimum initial investment, $1,000 ($100 if the account is opened through
PURCHASE EasyInvest-SM-); minimum subsequent investment, $100 (see page 11).
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OFFERING At net asset value without sales charge (see page 11). Shares redeemed within six years
PRICE of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under most circumstances
(see page 15).
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INVESTMENT The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term growth of capital (see page
OBJECTIVE 5).
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INVESTMENT Dean Witter InterCapital Inc., the Investment Manager of the Fund, and its wholly-owned
MANAGER AND subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., serve in various investment management,
SUB-ADVISOR advisory, management and administrative capacities to ninety-eight investment companies
and other portfolios with net assets under management of approximately $84.6 billion at
June 30, 1996. Morgan Grenfell Investment Services Ltd. has been retained by the
Investment Manager as Sub-Advisor to provide investment advice and manage the Fund's
portfolio. Morgan Grenfell Investment Services Ltd. currently serves as investment
advisor for U.S. corporate and public employee benefit plans, investment companies,
endowments and foundations with assets of approximately $14.1 billion at June 30, 1996
(see page 5).
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MANAGEMENT The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund's
FEE daily net assets, of which the Sub-Advisor receives 40% (see page 5).
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DIVIDENDS AND Dividends from net investment income, if any, are paid at least annually. Capital gains,
DISTRIBUTIONS if any, 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 (without sales charge), unless the shareholder elects to
receive cash (see page 17).
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DISTRIBUTOR Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor receives from the
AND Fund a distribution fee accrued daily and payable monthly at the rate of 1.0% per annum
DISTRIBUTION of the lesser of (i) the Fund's average daily aggregate net sales or (ii) the Fund's
FEE 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 pages 11 and 15).
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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 or, if the
DEFERRED account was opened through EasyInvest-SM-, if after twelve months the shareholder has
SALES invested less than $1,000 in the account. Although no commission or sales load is
CHARGE imposed upon the purchase of shares, a contingent deferred sales charge (scaled down
from 5% to 1%) is imposed on any redemption of shares if after such redemption the
aggregate current value of an account with the Fund is less than 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 15).
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RISKS The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in market value of
portfolio securities. Investing in lesser known, smaller capitalization companies may
involve greater risk of volatility in the Fund's net asset value than is customarily
associated with investing in larger, more established companies. In addition, it should
be recognized that the foreign securities and markets in which the Fund invests pose
different and greater risks than those customarily associated with domestic securities
and their markets. The Fund may also invest in options and futures transactions which
may be considered speculative in nature and may involve greater risks than those
customarily assumed by other investment companies which do not invest in such
instruments. The Fund is a non-diversified investment company and, as such, is not
subject to the diversification requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940. As a
result, a relatively high percentage of the Fund's assets may be invested in a limited
number of issuers. However, the Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated
investment company under the federal income tax laws and, as such, is subject to the
diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code (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.
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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 below are for the fiscal year
ended May 31, 1996.
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SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
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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%
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A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed at the following declining rates:
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YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE PERCENTAGE
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First............................................................................ 5.0%
Second........................................................................... 4.0%
Third............................................................................ 3.0%
Fourth........................................................................... 2.0%
Fifth............................................................................ 2.0%
Sixth............................................................................ 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter........................................................... None
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Redemption Fees................................................................................. None
Exchange Fee.................................................................................... None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management Fees................................................................................. 1.25%
12b-1 Fees*..................................................................................... 1.00%
Other Expenses.................................................................................. 0.60%
Total Fund Operating Expenses*.................................................................. 2.85%
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* 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 (see "Purchase of Fund Shares").
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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:............................................. $ 79 $ 118 $ 170 $ 318
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment,
assuming no redemption:....................................... $ 29 $ 88 $ 150 $ 318
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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 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 "Redemptions 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.
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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 the periods have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent accountants. The financial highlights should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements, notes thereto, and the unqualified report of
independent accountants, which are contained in the Statement of Additional
Information. Further information about the performance of the Fund 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
FOR THE YEAR JULY 29, 1994*
ENDED THROUGH
MAY 31, 1996 MAY 31, 1995
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PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period......... $ 8.54 $10.00
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Net investment loss........................ (0.08) (0.08)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).... 1.82 (1.38)
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Total from investment operations........... 1.74 (1.46)
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Net asset value, end of period............. $10.28 $ 8.54
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TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+..................... 20.37% (14.60)%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses................................... 2.85% 2.90%(2)
Net investment loss........................ (1.09)% (1.12)%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands.... $145,254 $93,729
Portfolio turnover rate.................... 44% 41%(1)
Average commission rate paid............... $ 0.0069 --
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* COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
+ DOES NOT REFLECT THE DEDUCTION OF SALES CHARGE.
(1) NOT ANNUALIZED.
(2) ANNUALIZED.
4
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THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
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Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end,
non-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 April 21, 1994.
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 ninety-eight investment companies, thirty of which
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined assets of approximately
$81.8 billion at June 30, 1996. The Investment Manager also manages portfolios
of pension plans, other institutions and individuals which aggregated
approximately $2.8 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and supervise the investment of the Fund's
assets. InterCapital has retained Dean Witter Services Company Inc. to perform
the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund.
Under a Sub-Advisory Agreement between Morgan Grenfell Investment Services
Limited (the "Sub-Advisor") and the Investment Manager, the Sub-Advisor provides
the Fund with investment advice and portfolio management relating to the Fund's
investments, subject to the overall supervision of the Investment Manager. The
Fund's Trustees review the various services provided by the Investment Manager
and the Sub-Advisor to ensure that the Fund's general investment policies and
programs are being properly carried out and that administrative services are
being provided to the Fund in a satisfactory manner.
The Sub-Advisor, whose address is 20 Finsbury Circus, London, England,
manages, as of June 30, 1996, assets of approximately $14.1 billion primarily
for U.S. corporate and public employee benefit plans, investment companies,
endowments and foundations. The Sub-Advisor is an indirect subsidiary of
Deutsche Bank AG, the largest commercial bank in Germany.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
annual rate of 1.25% to the Fund's net assets. As compensation for its services
provided pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Investment Manager pays the
Sub-Advisor monthly compensation equal to 40% of its monthly compensation. For
the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996, the Fund accrued total compensation to the
Investment Manager amounting to 1.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets and
the Fund's total expenses amounted to 2.85% of the Fund's average daily net
assets.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
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The investment objective of the Fund is long-term growth of capital. 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 seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under
normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of
"small capitalization" companies located outside of the United States. A "small
capitalization" company is defined as being, at the time of purchase of its
equity securities by the Fund, among the smallest capitalized companies (where
capitalization is calculated by multiplying the total number of outstanding
shares of common stock of the company by their market price and by ranking the
resulting companies from smallest to largest capitalization) principally located
in a given country, whose aggregate capitalizations comprise no more than 25% of
the total market capitalization of the country. Equity securities in which the
Fund may invest include common stocks, rights or warrants to purchase common
stocks and securities convertible into common stocks.
The Fund will invest in securities issued by issuers located in at least
three countries outside of the U.S. An issuer of a security will be considered
to be located in a given country if it: (i) is organized under the laws of the
country; (ii) derives at least 50% of its revenues from goods produced or sold,
investments made, or services performed in the country; (iii) maintains at least
50% of its assets in the country; or (iv) has securities which are principally
traded on a stock exchange in the country.
The Fund currently may invest, from time to time, more than 25% of its total
assets in securities issued by issuers located in each of the United Kingdom and
Japan. The concentration of the Fund's assets in Japanese issuers will subject
the Fund to the risks of adverse social, political or economic events which
occur in Japan. Specifically, investments in the Japanese stock market may
entail a
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higher degree of risk than investments in other markets as, by fundamental
measures of corporate valuation, such as its high price-earnings ratios and low
dividend yields, the Japanese market as a whole may appear expensive relative to
other world stock markets, (I.E., the prices of Japanese stocks may be
relatively high). In addition, the prices of securities traded on the Japanese
markets may be more volatile than many other markets.
Generally, the investment risks presented by equity markets in the United
Kingdom are comparable to those occurring in the U.S. However, the concentration
of the Fund's assets in British issuers will subject the Fund's investment
performance to social, political and economic events occurring in the United
Kingdom to a larger effect than to those occurring elsewhere, internationally.
In addition, political and economic developments occurring elsewhere in Europe,
especially as they relate to changes in the structure of the European Economic
Community, and the anticipated development of a unified common market, may have
profound effects upon the value of the British segment of the Fund's portfolio
of investments.
The remainder of the Fund's portfolio equalling, at times, up to 35% of the
Fund's total assets, may be invested in (i) securities issued by companies whose
market capitalizations place them outside the Fund's definition of "small
capitalization" and/or (ii) fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by
foreign governments. In addition, this portion of the Fund's portfolio will
consist of various other financial instruments such as forward foreign exchange
contracts, futures contracts and options.
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.
In constructing its portfolio, the Fund will utilize an
investment/decision-making process that primarily emphasizes stock research and
selection which is complemented by regional asset allocation and order
execution. In recognition of the characteristics of the small-cap security
universe (I.E., lesser liquidity, generally, than securities issued by companies
with larger capitalizations), regional asset allocations are made with a
long-term view in mind. This long-term perspective will be implemented by
searching for securities of companies with long-term growth prospects,
attractive valuation comparisons and adequate market liquidity.
The securities selected for purchase by the Fund's Sub-Advisor will be
biased toward price appreciation potential: attractive stocks will exhibit
above-average earnings growth, below-average price-earnings ratios in their
market and relative price-earnings ratios below the historic norm. In addition,
the Fund will maintain a disciplined sell process for liquidating portfolio
holdings.
There may be periods during which, in the opinion of the Investment Manager
or Sub-Advisor, market conditions warrant reduction of some or all of the Fund's
securities holdings. During such periods, the Fund may adopt a temporary
"defensive" posture in which greater than 35% of its 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.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES
SMALL-CAP STOCKS. Investing in lesser-known, smaller capitalized companies may
involve greater risk of volatility of the Fund's net asset value than is
customarily associated with investing in larger, more established companies.
There is typically less publicly available information concerning foreign and
smaller companies than for domestic and larger, more established companies. Some
small companies have limited product lines, distribution channels and financial
and managerial resources and tend to concentrate on fewer geographic markets
than do larger companies. Also, because smaller companies normally have fewer
shares outstanding than larger companies and trade less frequently, it may be
more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts of such shares
without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. Some of the companies
in which the Fund may invest may distribute, sell or produce products which have
recently been brought to market and may be dependent on key personnel with
varying degrees of experience.
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
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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
expropriations or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the use or transfer of
Fund assets and any effects of foreign social, economic or political
instability. Foreign companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements of
U.S. companies and, as such, there may be less publicly available information
about such companies. Moreover, foreign companies are not subject to uniform
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable securities
of U.S. issuers and, as such, their price changes may be more volatile.
Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally subject to less
government and exchange scrutiny and regulation than their American
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.
LOWER-RATED CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets
(up to 35% of its net assets) in lower-rated convertible securities. Most
convertible securities in which the Fund may invest are not rated; when rated,
such ratings will generally be below investment grade. Securities below
investment grade are the equivalent of high yield, high risk bonds, commonly
known as "junk bonds." Investment grade is generally considered to be debt
securities rated BBB or higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or Baa
or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"). However, the Fund will
not invest in debt securities that are in default in payment of principal or
interest.
Because of the special nature of the Fund's permitted investments in lower
rated debt securities, the Investment Manager and Sub-Advisor must take account
of certain special considerations in assessing the risks associated with such
investments. The prices of lower rated securities have been found to be less
sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates than higher rated investments,
but are likely to be more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual
corporate developments. During an economic downturn or substantial period of
rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress
which would adversely affect their ability to service their principal and
interest payment obligations, to meet their projected business goals or to
obtain additional financing. If the issuer of a fixed-income security owned by
the Fund defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. In
addition, periods of economic uncertainty and change can be expected to result
in an increased volatility of market prices of lower rated securities and a
corresponding volatility in the net asset value of a share of the Fund.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, which may
be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund, and which typically involve
the acquisition by the Fund of debt securities, from a selling financial
institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The
agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the
institution will repurchase, the underlying security at a specified price and at
a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven days from the date of
purchase. While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with
direct investments in debt securities, including the risks of default or
bankruptcy of the selling financial institution, the Fund follows procedures to
minimize such risks. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions
only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions
and maintaining adequate collateralization.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND DOLLAR ROLLS. The Fund may also use reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls as part of its investment strategy.
Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of portfolio assets
concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a
later date at a fixed price. The Fund may enter into dollar rolls in which the
Fund sells securities and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially
similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. Reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of
the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may
decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a
reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes
insolvent, the Fund's use of proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending
a determination by the other party, or
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its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase
the securities. Reverse Repurchase agreements and dollar rolls are speculative
techniques involving leverage, and are considered borrowings by the Fund.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS. From time
to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Fund may purchase securities on
a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or may purchase or sell securities on a
forward commitment basis. When such transactions are negotiated, the price is
fixed at the time of the commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a
month or more after the date of the commitment. There is no overall limit on the
percentage of the Fund's assets which may be committed to the purchase of
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. An increase in the
percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's
net asset value.
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. If the anticipated event
does not occur and the securities are not issued, the Fund will have lost an
investment opportunity. There is no overall limit on the percentage of the
Fund's assets which may be committed to the purchase of securities on a "when,
as and if issued" basis. 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.
PRIVATE PLACEMENTS. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in
securities which are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), or which are otherwise not readily marketable. (Securities eligible for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and determined to be
liquid pursuant to the procedures discussed in the following paragraph, are not
subject to the foregoing restriction.) These securities are generally referred
to as private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on the resale of
such securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may
prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. The Fund
may have to bear the expense of registering such securities for resale and the
risk of substantial delays in effecting such registration.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, which permits the Fund to sell restricted securities to
qualified institutional buyers without limitation. The Investment Manager,
pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Fund, will make a
determination as to the liquidity of each restricted security purchased by the
Fund. If a restricted security is determined to be "liquid," such security will
not be included within the category "illiquid securities," which under current
policy may not exceed 15% of the Fund's net assets. However, investing in Rule
144A securities could have the effect of increasing the level of Fund
illiquidity to the extent the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable
to find qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing such securities.
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. A portion of the fixed-income securities purchased by
the Fund may be zero coupon securities. Such securities are purchased at a
discount from their face amount, giving the purchaser the right to receive their
full value at maturity. The interest earned on such securities is, implicitly,
automatically compounded and paid out at maturity. While such compounding at a
constant rate eliminates the risk of receiving lower yields upon reinvestment of
interest if prevailing interest rates decline, the owner of a zero coupon
security will be unable to participate in higher yields upon reinvestment of
interest received on interest-paying securities if prevailing interest rates
rise.
A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life.
Therefore, to the extent the Fund invests in zero coupon securities, it will not
receive current cash available for distribution to shareholders. In addition,
zero coupon securities are subject to substantially greater price fluctuations
during periods of changing prevailing interest rates than are comparable
securities which pay interest on a current basis. Current federal tax law
requires that a holder (such as the Fund) of a zero coupon security accrue a
portion of the discount at which the security was purchased as income each year
even though the Fund receives no interest payments in cash on the security
during the year.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may purchase and sell (write) call
and put options on (i) portfolio securities which are denominated in either U.S.
dollars or foreign currencies; (ii) stock indexes; and (iii) the U.S. dollar and
foreign currencies. Such options are or may in the future be listed on several
U.S. and foreign securities exchanges or are written in over-the-counter
transactions ("OTC options"). OTC options are purchased from or sold (written)
to dealers or financial institutions which have entered into direct agreements
with the Fund.
The Fund is permitted to write covered call options on portfolio securities
and the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, without limit, in order to hedge
against the decline in the value of a security or currency in which such
security is denominated (although such hedge is limited to the value of the
premium received) and to close out long call option
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positions. The Fund may write covered put options, under which the Fund incurs
an obligation to buy the security (or currency) underlying the option from the
purchaser of the put at the option's exercise price at any time during the
option period, at the purchaser's election.
The Fund may purchase listed and OTC call and put options in amounts
equalling up to 5% of its total assets. The Fund may purchase call options to
close out a covered call position or to protect against an increase in the price
of a security it anticipates purchasing or, in the case of call options on a
foreign currency, to hedge against an adverse exchange rate change of the
currency in which the security it anticipates purchasing is denominated
vis-a-vis the currency in which the exercise price is denominated. The Fund may
purchase put options on securities which it holds in its portfolio to protect
itself against a decline in the value of the security and to close out written
put positions in a manner similar to call option closing purchase transactions.
There are no other limits on the Fund's ability to purchase call and put
options.
The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts that are currently traded,
or may in the future be traded, on U.S. and foreign commodity exchanges on
underlying portfolio securities, on any currency ("currency" futures), on U.S.
and foreign fixed-income securities ("interest rate" futures) and on such
indexes of U.S. or foreign equity or fixed-income securities as may exist or
come into being ("index" futures). The Fund may purchase or sell interest rate
futures contracts for the purpose of hedging some or all of the value of its
portfolio securities (or anticipated portfolio securities) against changes in
prevailing interest rates. The Fund may purchase or sell index futures contracts
for the purpose of hedging some or all of its portfolio securities (or
anticipated portfolio securities) against changes in their prices (or the
currency in which they are denominated). As a futures contract purchaser, the
Fund incurs an obligation to take delivery of a specified amount of the
obligation underlying the contract at a specified time in the future for a
specified price. As a seller of a futures contract, the Fund incurs an
obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying obligation at a
specified time in return for an agreed upon price.
The Fund also may purchase and write call and put options on futures
contracts which are traded on an exchange and enter into closing transactions
with respect to such options to terminate an existing position.
New futures contracts, options and other financial products and various
combinations thereof continue to be developed. The Fund may invest in any such
futures, options or products as may be developed, to the extent consistent with
its investment objective and applicable regulatory requirements.
RISKS OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may close out its position
as writer of an option, or as a buyer or seller of a futures contract, only if a
liquid secondary market exists for options or futures contracts of that series.
There is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly in the case of
OTC options, as such options may generally only be closed out by entering into a
closing purchase transaction with the purchasing dealer. Also, exchanges may
limit the amount by which the price of many futures contracts may move on any
day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days, then it may
prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily limit moves
have ceased.
Futures contracts and options transactions may be considered speculative in
nature and may involve greater risks than those customarily assumed by other
investment companies which do not invest in such instruments. One such risk is
that the Investment Manager or Sub-Advisor could be incorrect in its
expectations as to the direction or extent of various interest rate or price
movements or the time span within which the movements take place. For example,
if the Fund sold futures contracts for the sale of securities in anticipation of
an increase in interest rates, and then interest rates went down instead,
causing bond prices to rise, the Fund would lose money on the sale. Another risk
which will arise in employing futures contracts to protect against the price
volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of securities, currencies
and indexes subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures contract
prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the U.S. dollar cash
prices of the Fund's portfolio securities and their denominated currencies. See
the Statement of Additional Information for a further discussion of risks.
NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS. The Fund is a non-diversified investment company and,
as such, is not subject to the diversification requirements of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). As a
non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest a greater portion of its
assets in the securities of a single issuer and thus is subject to greater
exposure to risks such as a decline in the credit rating of that issuer.
However, the Fund anticipates that it will qualify as a regulated investment
company under the federal income tax laws and, if so qualified, will be subject
to the applicable diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as
amended (the "Code"). As a regulated investment company under the Code, the Fund
may not, as of the end of any of its fiscal quarters, have invested more than
25% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer (including a foreign
government), or as to 50% of its total assets, have invested more than 5% of its
total assets in the securities of a single issuer.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. The Fund may enter into forward
foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") in connection with its
foreign securities investments.
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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 or
Sub-Advisor believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may
suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar or some other foreign
currency, the 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 or Sub-Advisor 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 or Sub-Advisor 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. The Fund may, however, close out the forward contract without
purchasing the security which was the subject of the "anticipatory" hedge.
In all of the above circumstances, if the currency in which the Fund's
securities holdings (or anticipated portfolio securities) are denominated rises
in value with respect to the currency which is being purchased (or sold), 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 or Sub-Advisor. 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").
RIGHTS AND WARRANTS. The Fund may acquire rights and/or warrants which are
attached to other securities in its portfolio, or which are issued as a
distribution by the issuer of a security held in its portfolio. Rights and/or
warrants are, in effect, options to purchase equity securities at a specific
price, generally valid for a specific period of time, and have no voting rights,
pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the corporation issuing
them.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Fund may acquire, through purchase or a
distribution by the issuer of a security held in its portfolio, a fixed-income
security which is convertible into common stock of the issuer. Convertible
securities rank senior to common stocks in a corporation's capital structure
and, therefore, entail less risk than the corporation's common stock. The value
of a convertible security is a function of its "investment value" (its value as
if it did not have a conversion privilege), and its "conversion value" (the
security's worth if it were to be exchanged for the underlying security, at
market value, pursuant to its conversion privilege).
To the extent that a convertible security's investment value is greater than
its conversion value, its price will be primarily a reflection of such
investment value and its price will be likely to increase when interest rates
fall and decrease when interest rates rise, as with a fixed-income security (the
credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the
convertible security's value). If the conversion value exceeds the investment
value, the price of the convertible security will rise above its investment
value and, in addition, will sell at some premium over its conversion value.
(This premium represents the price investors are willing to pay for the
privilege of purchasing a fixed-income security with a possibility of capital
apprecia-
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tion due to the conversion privilege.) At such times the price of the
convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly with the price of the
underlying equity security. A portion of the convertible securities in which the
Fund may invest may be unrated or, if rated, rated below investment grade by a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by its Investment Manager and the
Sub-Advisor with a view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. In
determining which securities to purchase for the Fund or hold in the Fund's
portfolio, the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor will rely on information
from various sources, including research, analysis and appraisals of brokers and
dealers, the views of Trustees of the Fund and others regarding economic
developments and interest rate trends, and the Investment Manager's and
Sub-Advisor's own analysis of factors they deem relevant. The Fund's primary
portfolio manager is Mr. Graham D. Bamping, a Director of the Sub-Advisor. Mr.
Bamping has been managing equity portfolios for the Sub-Advisor for over six
years.
Personnel of the Investment Manager and Sub-Advisor have substantial
experience in the use of the investment techniques described above under the
heading "Options and Futures Transactions," which techniques require skills
different from those needed to select the portfolio securities underlying
various options and futures contracts.
Orders for transactions in portfolio securities and commodities may be
placed for the Fund with a number of brokers and dealers, Dean Witter Reynolds
Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of the Investment Manager, and certain
affiliated broker-dealers of the Sub-Advisor (Morgan Grenfell Asia and Partners
Securities Pte. Limited and Morgan Grenfell Asia Securities (Hong Kong)
Limited). Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Fund may effect principal transactions in certain money market instruments with
DWR, a broker-dealer affiliate of the Investment Manager. In addition, the Fund
may incur brokerage commissions on transactions conducted through DWR and
certain affiliated broker-dealers of the Sub-Advisor.
Although the Fund does not intend to engage in short-term trading, it may
sell portfolio securities without regard to the length of time they have been
held when such sale will, in the opinion of the Investment Manager or Sub-
Advisor, contribute to the Fund's investment objective. It is not anticipated
that the Fund's portfolio turnover rate will exceed 100% in any one year.
The expenses of the Fund relating to its portfolio management are likely to
be greater than those incurred by other investment companies investing primarily
in securities issued by domestic issuers as custodial costs, brokerage
commissions and other transaction charges related to investing in foreign
markets are generally higher than in the United States.
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, 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. 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, its agencies or
instrumentalities.
2. 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.
In addition, as a non-fundamental policy, the Fund may not, as to 75% of its
total assets, purchase more than 10% of the voting securities of any issuer.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
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The Fund offers its shares for sale to the public on a continuous basis.
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 offered by DWR and
other dealers who have entered into selected dealer
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agreements with the Distributor ("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal
executive office of the Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048.
The minimum initial purchase is $1,000. Minimum subsequent purchases of $100
or more may be made by sending a check, payable to Dean Witter International
SmallCap 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. 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
(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 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. Shares of the
Fund purchased through the Distributor are entitled to any dividends declared
beginning on the next business day following settlement date. Since DWR and
other Selected Broker-Dealers forward investors' funds on settlement date, they
will benefit from the temporary use of the funds if payment is made prior
thereto. Shares purchased through the Transfer Agent are entitled to any
dividends declared beginning on the next business day following receipt of an
order. As noted above, orders placed directly with the Transfer Agent must be
accompanied by payment. Investors will be entitled to receive dividends and
capital gains distributions if their order is received by the close of business
on the day prior to the record date for such distributions. 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"). Sales personnel are compensated for selling shares of the Fund at
the time of their sale by the Distributor and/or the 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 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. The service fee is a payment made for personal service
and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
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.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996, the Fund accrued payments under the
Plan amounting to $1,128,160, which amount is equal to 1.0% of the Fund's
average daily net assets for the period. These payments accrued under the Plan
were calculated pursuant to clause (b) of the compensation formula under the
Plan.
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. The
Distributor has advised the Fund that such excess amounts, including the
carrying charge described above, totalled $7,625,797 at May 31, 1996, which was
equal to 5.25% of the Fund's net assets on such date.
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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 (or, on days
when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to 4:00 p.m., at such earlier
time) 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 or quoted by NASDAQ is valued at its latest
sale price on that exchange or quotation service, prior to the time assets are
valued; 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 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 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 prior
to the close of the New York Stock Exchange. 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' 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 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 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 so acquired are not subject to the imposition of a
contingent deferred sales charge upon their redemption (see "Redemptions and
Repurchases").
INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND 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 (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
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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 Intermediate Term U.S.
Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Limited Term
Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Income
Fund and shares of five Dean Witter Funds which are money market funds (the
foregoing eleven 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 the 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 re-exchanged 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
14
<PAGE>
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. Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or
another Selected Broker-Dealer are referred to their account executive regarding
restrictions on exchange of shares of the Fund pledged in the margin account.
The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain a copy and examine it carefully
before investing. Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement
and any other conditions imposed by each fund. In the case of any shareholder
holding a share certificate or certificates, no exchanges may be made until all
applicable share certificates have been received by the Transfer Agent and
deposited in the Shareholder's account. An exchange will be treated for federal
income tax purposes the same as a repurchase or redemption of shares, on which
the shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss. 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 another Selected Broker-Dealer but who wish to make
exchanges directly by writing or telephoning the Transfer Agent) must complete
and forward to the Transfer Agent an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form,
copies of which may be obtained from the Transfer Agent, to initiate an
exchange. If the Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be made in writing or
by contacting the Transfer Agent at (800) 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 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 will 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 sent 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 size of this
15
<PAGE>
percentage will depend upon how long the shares have been held, as set forth in
the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED
YEAR SINCE SALES CHARGE
PURCHASE AS A PERCENTAGE OF
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, no CDSC
will be imposed on redemptions of shares which are attributable to reinvestment
of dividends or distributions from, or the proceeds of, certain Unit Investment
Trusts.
In addition, the CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case
of:
(1) 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 ("IRA") or Custodial Account under Section 403(b)7 of the Internal
Revenue Code ("403(b) Custodial Account"), provided in either case that the
redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of
disability;
(2) 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 IRA 403(b) Custodial Account following attainment of age
59 1/2; or (C) a tax-free return of an excess contribution to an IRA; and
(3) all redemptions of shares held for the benefit of a participant in a
corporate or self-employed retirement plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code which offers investment companies managed by the
Investment Manager or its subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., as
self-directed investment alternatives and for which Dean Witter Trust Company,
an affiliate of the Investment Manager, serves as recordkeeper or Trustee
("Eligible 401(k) Plan"), provided that either: (A) the plan continues to be an
Eligible 401(k) Plan after the redemption; or (B) the redemption is in
connection with the complete termination of the plan involving the distribution
of all plan assets to participants.
With reference to (1) above, 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. With reference to (2) above, the term "distribution" does
not encompass a direct transfer of IRA, 403(b) Custodial Account or retirement
plan assets to a successor custodian or trustee. 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
or telegraphic 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 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,
16
<PAGE>
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 60 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 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 him or her 60 days to make an
additional investment in an amount which will increase the value of his or her
account to at least the applicable amount 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 and 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 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 "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 all
sales charges incurred by shareholders, for the stated periods. It
17
<PAGE>
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. There are no
conversion, pre-emptive or other subscription rights. In the event of a
liquidation, each share of beneficial interest of the Fund is entitled to its
portion of all 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 Investment Company 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 options transactions
and profiting on short-term trading (that is, a purchase within sixty days of a
sale or a sale within sixty days of a purchase) of a security. In addition,
investment personnel may not purchase or sell a security for their personal
account within thirty days before or after any transaction in any Dean Witter
Fund managed by them. Any violations of the Code of Ethics are subject to sanc-
tions, 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.
The Fund's Sub-Advisor also has a code of ethics which complies with
regulatory requirements and, insofar as it relates to persons associated with
the Fund, the 1994 report by the Investment Company Institute Advisory Group on
Personal Investing.
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. All inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed to
the Fund at the telephone numbers or address set forth on the front cover of
this Prospectus.
18
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER
INTERNATIONAL SMALLCAP FUND
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(212) 392-2550
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
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
One Chase Plaza
New York, New York 10081
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.
SUB-ADVISOR
Morgan Grenfell Investment Services
Limited
