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Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c)
Registration File No.: 33-87472
PROSPECTUS
JULY 28, 1997
Dean Witter Information Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company, whose investment objective is
long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment
objective by investing at least 65% of its total assets in common stocks and
securities convertible into common stocks of domestic and foreign companies
which are involved in all areas, and emerging areas, of the communications
and information industry. See "Investment Objective and Policies."
The Fund offers four classes of shares (each, a "Class"), each
with a different combination of sales charges, ongoing fees and other
features. The different distribution arrangements permit an investor to
choose the method of purchasing shares that the investor believes is most
beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor
expects to hold the shares and other relevant circumstances. Shares of the
Fund held prior to July 28, 1997 have been designated Class B shares. (See
"Purchase of Fund Shares--Alternative Purchase Arrangements.")
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 28, 1997, which has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which is available at
no charge upon request of the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed
on this page. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein
by reference.
Dean Witter Information Fund
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Summary/ 2
Summary of Fund Expenses/ 4
Financial Highlights/ 6
The Fund and its Management/ 6
Investment Objective and Policies/ 7
Risk Considerations/ 9
Investment Restrictions/ 15
Purchase of Fund Shares/ 16
Shareholder Services/ 26
Redemptions and Repurchases/ 29
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes/ 30
Performance Information/ 32
Additional Information/ 32
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.
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 The Fund is organized as a Trust, commonly known as a Massachusetts business trust, and is an open-end,
Fund diversified management investment company investing at least 65% of its total assets in common stocks and
securities convertible into common stocks of domestic and foreign companies which are involved in all areas,
and emerging areas, of the communications and information industry.
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Shares Shares of beneficial interest with $0.01 par value (see page 32). The Fund offers four Classes of shares,
Offered each with a different combination of sales charges, ongoing fees and other features (see pages 16-26).
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Minimum The minimum initial investment for each Class is $1,000 ($100 if the account is opened through EasyInvest
Purchase (Service Mark) ); Class D shares are only available to persons investing $5 million or more and to certain
other limited categories of investors. For the purpose of meeting the minimum $5 million investment for
Class D shares, and subject to the $1,000 minimum initial investment for each Class of the Fund, an
investor's existing holdings of Class A shares and shares of funds for which Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
serves as investment manager ("Dean Witter Funds") that are sold with a front-end sales charge, and
concurrent investments in Class D shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Funds that are multiple class
funds, will be aggregated. The minimum subsequent investment is $100 (see page 16).
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Investment The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
Objective
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Investment Dean Witter InterCapital Inc., the Investment Manager of the Fund, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean
Manager Witter Services Company Inc., serve in various investment management, advisory, management and
administrative capacities to 100 investment companies and other portfolios with net assets under management
of approximately $96.6 billion at June 30 (see
page 6).
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Management The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of daily net assets on assets of
Fee the Fund not exceeding $500 million and 0.725% of daily net assets on assets exceeding $500 million. (see
page 6).
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Distributor and Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Fund has adopted a distribution plan pursuant to Rule
Distribution 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (the "12b-1 Plan") with respect to the distribution fees paid by the
Fee Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund to the Distributor. The entire 12b-1 fee payable by Class A
and a portion of the 12b-1 fee payable by each of Class B and Class C equal to 0.25% of the average daily
net assets of the Class are currently each characterized as a service fee within the meaning of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. guidelines. The remaining portion of the 12b-1 fee, if any, is
characterized as an asset-based sales charge (see pages 16 and 24).
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Alternative Four classes of shares are offered:
Purchase
Arrangements o Class A shares are offered with a front-end sales charge, starting at 5.25% and reduced for larger
purchases. Investments of $1 million or more (and investments by certain other limited categories of
investors) are not subject to any sales charge at the time of purchase but a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC") of 1.0% may be imposed on redemptions within one year of purchase. The Fund is authorized to
reimburse the Distributor for specific expenses incurred in promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A
shares and servicing shareholder accounts pursuant to the Fund's 12b-1 Plan. Reimbursement may in no event
exceed an amount equal to payments at an annual rate of 0.25% of average daily net assets of the Class (see
pages 16,19 and 24).
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o Class B shares are offered without a front-end sales charge, but will in most cases be subject to a CDSC
(scaled down from 5.0% to 1.0%) if redeemed within six years after purchase. The CDSC will be imposed on any
redemption of shares if after such redemption the aggregate current value of a Class B account with the Fund
falls below the aggregate amount of the investor's purchase payments made during the six years preceding the
redemption. A different CDSC schedule applies to investments by certain qualified plans. Class B shares are
also subject to a 12b-1 fee assessed at the annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily net
sales of the Fund's Class B shares or (b) the average daily net assets of Class B. All shares of the Fund held
prior to July 28, 1997 have been designated Class B shares. Shares held before May 1, 1997 will convert to
Class A shares in May, 2007. In all other instances, Class B shares convert to Class A shares approximately ten
years after the date of the original purchase (see pages 16, 21 and 24).
o Class C shares are offered without a front-end sales charge, but will in most cases be subject to a CDSC of
1.0% if redeemed within one year after purchase. The Fund is authorized to reimburse the Distributor for
specific expenses incurred in promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class C shares and servicing shareholder
accounts pursuant to the Fund's 12b-1 Plan. Reimbursement may in no event exceed an amount equal to payments at
an annual rate of 1.0% of average daily net assets of the Class (see pages 16 and 24).
o Class D shares are offered only to investors meeting an initial investment minimum of $5 million and to
certain other limited categories of investors. Class D shares are offered without a front-end sales charge or
CDSC and are not subject to any 12b-1 fee (see pages 16 and 24).
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Dividends Dividends and capital gains will be distributed annually. The Fund may, however, determine to retain all or
and a part of any net long-term capital gains in any year for reinvestment. Dividends and capital gains
Capital distributions paid on shares of a Class are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the same Class
Gains at net asset value unless the shareholder elects to receive cash (see page 30). Shares acquired by dividend
Distributions or distribution reinvestment will not be subject to any sales charge or CDSC (see pages 26 and 31).
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Redemption Shares are redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value less any applicable CDSC on Class A, Class B or
Class C shares. An account may be involuntarily redeemed if the total value of the account is less than $100
or, if the account was opened through EasyInvest, if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less
than $1,000 in the account (see page 29).
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Risk The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund's
Considerations portfolio securities. The market value of the Fund's portfolio securities will increase or decrease due to
economic or market factors affecting companies and/or industries in which the Fund invests. In addition, the
value of the Fund's fixed-income and convertible securities generally increases or decreases due to economic
and market factors, as well as changes in prevailing interest rates. Generally, a rise in interest rates
will result in a decrease in value while a drop in interest rates will result in an increase in value. There
are also certain risks associated with the Fund's investments in the communications and information industry
(see page 9). The Fund will invest in the securities of foreign issuers which entails certain additional
risks. The Fund may also invest in options and futures transactions in order to hedge its portfolio
securities and may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in connection with its foreign
securities investments and may purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or "when, as and if
issued" basis, which involve certain special risks (see pages 7-16).
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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.
3
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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 estimated fees and expenses set forth in the
table are based on the expenses and fees for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1997.
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CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS D
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Shareholder Transaction Expenses
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Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a
percentage of offering price) ..................... 5.25%(1) None None None
Sales Charge Imposed on Dividend Reinvestments .... None None None None
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
(as a percentage of original purchase price or
redemption proceeds)............................... None(2) 5.00%(3) 1.00%(4) None
Redemption Fees..................................... None None None None
Exchange Fee........................................ None None None None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a percentage of average net assets)
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Management Fees .................................... 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
12b-1 Fees (5)(6)................................... 0.25% 1.00% 1.00% None
Other Expenses ..................................... 0.26% 0.26% 0.26% 0.26%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (7)................... 1.26% 2.01% 2.01% 1.01%
</TABLE>
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(1) Reduced for purchases of $25,000 and over (see "Purchase of Fund
Shares--Initial Sales Charge Alternative--Class A Shares").
(2) Investments that are not subject to any sales charge at the time of
purchase are subject to a CDSC of 1.00% that will be imposed on
redemptions made within one year after purchase, except for certain
specific circumstances (see "Purchase of Fund Shares--Initial Sales
Charge Alternative--Class A Shares").
(3) The CDSC is scaled down to 1.00% during the sixth year, reaching zero
thereafter.
(4) Only applicable to redemptions made within one year after purchase (see
"Purchase of Fund Shares--Level Load Alternative--Class C Shares").
(5) The 12b-1 fee is accrued daily and payable monthly. The entire 12b-1
fee payable by Class A and a portion of the 12b-1 fee payable by each
of Class B and Class C equal to 0.25% of the average daily net assets
of the Class are currently each characterized as a service fee within
the meaning of National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD") guidelines and are payments made for personal service and/or
maintenance of shareholder accounts. The remainder of the 12b-1 fee, if
any, is an asset-based sales charge, and is a distribution fee paid to
the Distributor to compensate it for the services provided and the
expenses borne by the Distributor and others in the distribution of the
Fund's shares (see "Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan of Distribution").
(6) Upon conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares, such shares will
be subject to the lower 12b-1 fee applicable to Class A shares. No
sales charge is imposed at the time of conversion of Class B shares to
Class A shares. Class C shares do not have a conversion feature and,
therefore, are subject to an ongoing 1.00% distribution fee (see
"Purchase of Fund Shares--Alternative Purchase Arrangements").
(7) There were no outstanding shares of Class A, Class C or Class D prior
to the date of this Prospectus. Accordingly, "Total Fund Operating
Expenses," as shown above with respect to those Classes, are based upon
the sum of 12b-1 Fees, Management Fees and estimated "Other Expenses."
4
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EXAMPLES 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment
assuming (1) a 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end
of each time period:
Class A ...................................................... $65 $90 $118 $197
Class B ...................................................... $70 $93 $128 $234
Class C....................................................... $30 $63 $108 $234
Class D ...................................................... $10 $32 $ 56 $124
You would pay the following expenses on the same $1,000
investment assuming no redemption at the end of the period:
Class A ...................................................... $65 $90 $118 $197
Class B ...................................................... $20 $63 $108 $234
Class C ...................................................... $20 $63 $108 $234
Class D ...................................................... $10 $32 $ 56 $124
</TABLE>
THE ABOVE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OF EACH CLASS 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," "Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan of
Distribution" and "Redemptions and Repurchases" in this Prospectus.
Long-term shareholders of Class B and Class C may pay more in sales
charges including distribution fees than the economic equivalent of the
maximum front-end sales charges permitted by the NASD.
5
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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The following per share data and ratios for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent accountants. The financial highlights should be read in
conjunction with the statements and notes thereto and the unqualified report
of the 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. All shares of the Fund held
prior to July 28, 1997 have been designated Class B shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR NOVEMBER 28, 1995*
ENDED THROUGH
MARCH 31, 1997 MARCH 31, 1996
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<S> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period ............. $ 10.67 $ 10.00
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Net investment loss .............................. (0.13) (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) ......... (1.60) 0.69
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Total from investment operations ................. (1.73) 0.68
Less dividends in excess of net investment income -- (0.01)
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Net asset value, end of period ................... $ 8.94 $ 10.67
============== ==================
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ ........................ (16.31)% 6.77%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ......................................... 2.01% 2.31%(2)
Net investment loss .............................. (1.16)% (0.51)%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands ......... $213,726 $207,321
Portfolio turnover rate .......................... 132% 8%(1)
Average commission rate paid ..................... $ 0.0527 $0.0496
</TABLE>
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* Commencement of operations.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the
net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
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Dean Witter Information Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end, diversified
management investment company. The Fund is a trust of the type commonly known
as a "Massachusetts business trust" and was organized under the laws of
Massachusetts on December 8, 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 Morgan Stanley,
Dean
6
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Witter, Discover & Co., a preeminent global financial services firm that
maintains leading market positions in each of its three primary
businesses--securities, asset management and credit services.
InterCapital, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services
Company Inc., serve in various investment management, advisory, management
and administrative capacities to a total of 100 investment companies, thirty
of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined assets of
approximately $93.1 billion as of June 30, 1997. InterCapital also manages
and advises portfolios of pension plans, other institutions and individuals
which aggregated approximately $3.5 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and manage the investment of the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities. InterCapital has retained Dean Witter Services Company
Inc. to perform the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
annual rate of 0.75% to the Fund's net assets. Effective May 1, 1997, the
Investment Manager's compensation was scaled down to 0.725% on assets over
$500 million. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Fund accrued
total compensation to the Investment Manager amounting to an annual rate of
0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets and the Fund's total expenses
amounted to an annual rate of 2.01% 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 capital appreciation.
This objective is fundamental 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 common stocks and
securities convertible into common stocks of domestic or foreign companies
which are involved in all areas, including emerging areas, of the
communications and information industry. The Fund will not have more than 10%
of its total assets invested in convertible securities determined as of the
time of purchase. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest in equity
securities of issuers located in at least three countries, one of which is
the United States.
The communications and information industry is experiencing widespread
changes and expansion due to rapidly changing technologies (including
enabling technologies), industry migration in search of new markets,
communications needs in developing countries, competitive pressures and
changes in governmental regulation. Additionally, a number of traditional
communications industries have either converged or evolved into new corporate
forms and some of these industries are only beginning to emerge. The
Investment Manager believes that as technologies develop, many of the
traditional distinctions and characteristics of these industries will blur.
The Investment Manager believes that the communications and information
industry will continue to grow in the future and that the Fund's investment
policies as outlined below are designed to take advantage of the investment
opportunities present in this industry.
Companies in the communications and information industry will be
considered those companies engaged in designing, developing, manufacturing or
providing the following products and services, or the enabling technology
with respect thereto, throughout the world: regular telephone service;
communications equipment and services (including equipment and services for
both data and voice transmission); electronic components and equip
7
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ment; broadcasting (including television and radio, satellite, microwave and
cable television and narrow-casting); computer equipment, enabling software,
mobile communications and cellular radio/paging; electronic mail and other
electronic data transmission services; local and wide area networking and
linkage of word and data processing systems; publishing and information
systems, including the storage and transmission of information; video text
and teletext; and emerging technologies combining telephone, television
and/or computer systems; the creation, packaging, distribution, and ownership
of entertainment and information programming throughout the world including
but not limited to pre-recorded music, feature length motion pictures, made
for T.V. movies, television series, documentaries, educational tutorials,
animation, game shows, sports programming, news programs, and live events
such as professional sporting events, concerts and theatrical exhibitions and
academic courses or tutorials; television and radio broadcasting via VHF,
UHF, satellite and microwave transmission, cable television programming and
systems, and broadcast and cable networks, wireless cable television and
other emerging distribution technologies, home video, and
interactive/multimedia programming including financial services, education,
home shopping, video games and multiplayer games; publishing including
newspapers, magazines and books, advertising agencies and niche advertising
mediums such as in-store or direct mail, emerging technologies combining
television, telephone and computer systems, computer hardware and software,
and equipment used in the creation and distribution of entertainment
programming such as that required in the provision of broadcast, cable or
telecommunications services.
Companies considered to be in communications and information industry will
be those which derive at least 35% of their revenues or earnings from the
aforementioned respective activities, or devote at least 35% of their assets
to such respective activities.
Up to 35% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in investment grade
fixed-income securities, U.S. Government securities (including zero coupon
securities) or money market instruments. With respect to corporate
fixed-income securities, the term "investment grade" means securities which
are rated Baa or higher by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or
BBB or higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or, if not rated, are
deemed by the Investment Manager to be of comparable quality.
Investments in fixed-income securities rated either BBB by S&P or Baa by
Moody's (the lowest credit ratings designated "investment grade") have
speculative characteristics and, therefore, changes in economic conditions or
other circumstances are more likely to weaken their capacity to make
principal and interest payments than would be the case with investments in
securities with higher credit ratings. If a fixed-income or convertible
security held by the Fund is rated BBB or Baa and is subsequently downgraded
by a rating agency, or otherwise falls below investment grade the Fund will
sell such securities as soon as is practicable without undue market or tax
consequences to the Fund. See the Appendix to the Statement of Additional
Information for a discussion of ratings of fixed-income securities.
The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in the securities of
foreign issuers. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in
any one foreign country.
Money market instruments in which the Fund may invest are securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies (Treasury bills,
notes and bonds); obligations of banks subject to regulation by the U.S.
Government and having total assets of $1 billion or more; Eurodollar
certificates of deposit; obligations of savings banks and savings and loan
associations having total assets of $1 billion or more; fully insured
certificates of deposit; and commercial paper rated within the two highest
grades by Moody's or S&P or, if not rated, issued by a company having an
outstanding debt issue rated AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's.
There may be periods during which, in the opinion of the Investment
Manager, market condi-
8
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tions 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 total assets is invested in money market
instruments or cash.
Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in investment grade
convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note,
preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for
a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within
a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. Convertible
securities rank senior to common stocks in a corporation's capital structure
and, therefore, entail less risk than the corporation's common stock. The
value of a convertible security is a function of its "investment value" (its
value as if it did not have a conversion privilege), and its "conversion
value" (the security's worth if it were to be exchanged for the underlying
security, at market value, pursuant to its conversion privilege).
Foreign Securities. As noted above, the Fund may invest in securities of
foreign companies. Such investments may also be in the form of American
Depository Receipts (ADRs), European Depository Receipts (EDRs) or other
similar securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. These
securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the
securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically
issued by a United States bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the
underlying securities. EDRs are European receipts evidencing a similar
arrangement. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the
United States securities markets and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for
use in European securities markets. The Fund's investments in unlisted
foreign securities are subject to the Fund's overall policy limiting its
investment in illiquid securities to 15% or less of its net assets.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in
the market value of the Fund's portfolio securities. The market value of the
Fund's portfolio securities will increase or decrease due to a variety of
economic, market or political factors affecting companies and/or industries
in which the Fund invests, which factors cannot be predicted. Additionally,
the value of the Fund's fixed-income and convertible securities may increase
or decrease due to changes in prevailing interest rates. Generally, a rise in
interest rates will result in a decrease in value, while a drop in interest
rates will result in an increase in value.
Communications and Information Industry. The Fund concentrates its
investments in the communications and information industry. Because of this
concentration, the value of the Fund's shares may be more volatile than that
of investment companies that do not similarly concentrate their investments.
The communications and information industry may be subject to greater changes
in governmental policies and governmental regulation than in many other
industries in the United States and worldwide. Regulatory approval
requirements, ownership restrictions and restrictions on rates of return and
types of services that may be offered may materially affect the products and
services of this industry. Additionally, the products and services of
companies in this industry may be subject to faster obsolescence as a result
of greater competition, advancing technological developments, and changing
market and consumer preferences. As a result, the stocks of companies in this
industry may exhibit greater price volatility than those of companies in
other industries.
Foreign Securities. Foreign securities investments may be affected by
changes in currency rates or exchange control regulations, changes in
governmental administration or economic or monetary policy (in the United
States and abroad) or changed circumstances in dealings between nations.
Fluctuations in the relative rates of exchange between the currencies of
different nations will affect the value of the Fund's investments denominated
in foreign currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to
the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets
denominated in that currency and thereby impact upon the Fund's total return
on such assets.
9
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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, restrictions on foreign investment
and repatriation of capital, 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. Additionally, there may be
less investment community research and coverage with respect to certain
foreign securities.
Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable
securities of U.S. issuers and, as such, their price changes may be more
volatile. Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally
subject to less government and exchange scrutiny and regulation than their
American counterparts. Brokerage commissions, dealer concessions and other
transaction costs may be higher on foreign markets than in the U.S. In
addition, differences in clearance and settlement procedures on foreign
markets may occasion delays in settlements of the Fund's trades effected in
such markets. As such, the inability to dispose of portfolio securities due
to settlement delays could result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent
declines in value of such securities and the inability of the Fund to make
intended security purchases due to settlement problems could result in a
failure of the Fund to make potentially advantageous investments. To the
extent the Fund purchases Eurodollar certificates of deposit issued by
foreign branches of domestic U.S. banks, consideration will be given to their
domestic marketability, the lower reserve requirements normally mandated for
overseas banking operations, the possible impact of interruptions in the flow
of international currency transactions and future international political and
economic developments which might adversely affect the payment of principal
or interest.
Convertible Securities. 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
generally sell at some premium over its conversion value. (This premium
represents the price investors are willing to pay for the privilege of
purchasing a fixed-income security with a possibility of capital appreciation
due to the conversion privilege.) At such times the price of the convertible
security will tend to fluctuate directly with the price of the underlying
equity security.
The risks of other investment techniques which may be utilized by the Fund
described under "Other Investment Policies," "Options and Futures
Transactions" and "Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts" are described
below.
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
Warrants and Stock Rights. The Fund may invest up to 5% of the value of
its net assets in warrants, including not more than 2% in warrants not listed
on either the New York or American Stock
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Exchange. The Fund may also invest in stock rights. Warrants are, in effect,
an option to purchase equity securities at a specific price, generally valid
for a specific period of time, and have no voting rights, pay no dividends
and have no rights with respect to the corporations issuing them. The Fund
may acquire warrants and stock rights attached to other securities without
reference to the foregoing limitations.
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 risks of defaults or bankruptcy of the selling
institution, the Fund follows procedures designed to minimize those risks.
These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with large,
well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions and maintaining
adequate collateralization. See the Statement of Additional Information for a
further discussion of such investments.
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.
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.
An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase
of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis
may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.
When, As and If Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a
"when, as and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the security
depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a
merger, corporate reorganization, leveraged buyout or debt restructuring. If
the anticipated event does not occur and the securities are not issued, the
Fund will have lost an investment opportunity. An increase in the
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<PAGE>
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.
Investment in Other Investment Vehicles. Under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, the Fund generally may invest up to 10% of its total
assets in shares of investment companies, including foreign investment
companies, and up to 5% of its total assets in any one investment company.
The Fund may not own more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of any
investment company. Investment in foreign investment companies may be the
sole or most practical means by which the Fund may participate in certain
foreign securities markets. As a shareholder in an investment company, the
Fund would bear its ratable share of that entity's expenses, including its
advisory and administration fees. At the same time the Fund would continue to
pay its own investment management fees and other expenses, as a result of
which the Fund and its shareholders in effect will be absorbing duplicate
levels of fees with respect to investments in other investment companies.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. Consistent with applicable regulatory
requirements, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers
and other financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at
any time by the Fund (subject to certain notice provisions described in the
Statement of Additional Information), and are at all times secured by cash or
money market instruments, which are maintained in a segregated account
pursuant to applicable regulations and that are equal to at least the market
value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. As with any extensions of
credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail
financially. However, loans of portfolio securities will only be made to
firms deemed by the Investment Manager to be creditworthy and when the income
which can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks.
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 portfolio
securities and on the U.S. dollar or foreign currencies which are or may in
the future be listed on securities exchanges or are written in
over-the-counter transactions ("OTC options"). Listed options are issued or
guaranteed by the exchange on which they trade or by a clearing corporation
such as the Options Clearing Corporation. 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 or foreign currencies,
without limit, in order to aid it in achieving its investment objective. The
Fund may also write covered put options; however, the aggregate value of the
obligations underlying the puts deter-
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<PAGE>
mined as of the date the options are sold will not exceed 20% of the Fund's
net assets.
The Fund may purchase listed and OTC call and put options on securities
and stock indexes 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. The
Fund may purchase put options on securities which it holds in its portfolio
only to protect itself against a decline in the value of the security. The
Fund may also purchase put options to close out written put positions in a
manner similar to call option closing purchase transactions. There are no
other limits on the Fund's ability to purchase call and put options.
The Fund may also 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 of the foreign
currencies ("currency futures"), on U.S. or foreign fixed-income securities
("interest rate futures") and on such indexes of U.S. or foreign equity,
fixed-income or convertible securities as may exist or come into being
("index futures"). The Fund will purchase or sell interest rate futures
contracts for the purpose of hedging its fixed-income portfolio (or
anticipated portfolio) against changes in prevailing interest rates. The Fund
may purchase or sell index futures or currency futures for the purpose of
hedging some or all of its portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities
against changes in their prices (or the currency in which they are
denominated).
The Fund, for hedging purposes, 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.
The futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by the
Fund are only for the purpose of hedging the Fund's portfolio securities and
are not speculative in nature; however, there are risks inherent in the use
of such instruments. One such risk is that the Investment Manager 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 dollar cash prices of the Fund's portfolio
securities and their denominated currencies. See the Statement of Additional
Information for a further discussion of such risks.
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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<PAGE>
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 Investment Manager believes that
the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline
against the U.S. dollar or some other foreign currency, the Fund may enter
into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of dollars or other
currency, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or
all of the Fund's securities holdings (or securities which the Fund has
purchased for its portfolio) denominated in such foreign currency. Under
identical circumstances, the Fund may enter into a forward contract to sell,
for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other currency, an amount of foreign
currency other than the currency in which the securities to be hedged are
denominated approximating the value of some or all of the portfolio
securities to be hedged. This method of hedging, called "cross-hedging," will
be selected by the Investment Manager when it is determined that the foreign
currency in which the portfolio securities are denominated has insufficient
liquidity or is trading at a discount as compared with some other foreign
currency with which it tends to move in tandem.
In addition, when the Investment Manager anticipates purchasing securities
at some time in the future, and wishes to lock in the current exchange rate
of the currency in which those securities are denominated against the U.S.
dollar or some other foreign currency, the Fund may enter into a forward
contract to purchase an amount of currency equal to some or all of the value
of the anticipated purchase, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other
currency. 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), then the Fund will have realized fewer gains than had the Fund not
entered into the forward contracts. Moreover, the precise matching of the
forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not
generally be possible, since the future value of such securities in foreign
currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of
those securities between the date the forward contract is entered into and
the date it matures. The Fund is not required to enter into such transactions
with regard to its foreign currency-denominated securities and will not do so
unless deemed appropriate by the Investment Manager. The Fund generally will
not enter into a forward contract with a term of greater than one year,
although it may enter into forward contracts for periods of up to five years.
The Fund may be limited in its ability to enter into hedging transactions
involving forward contracts by the Internal Revenue Code requirements related
to qualification as a regulated investment company (see "Dividends,
Distributions, and Taxes").
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<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by its Investment Manager with a
view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. The Fund's portfolio is
managed within InterCapital's Growth Group which manages 31 equity funds and
fund portfolios with approximately $13.5 billion in assets as of June 30,
1997. Edward F. Gaylor, Peter Hermann and Jayne Stevlingson have been the
Fund's primary portfolio co-managers since the Fund's inception. Mr. Gaylor
is a Senior Vice President of InterCapital and has been a portfolio manager
at InterCapital for over five years. Mr. Hermann is a Vice President of
InterCapital and prior to joining InterCapital in February, 1994, was a
portfolio manager at The Bank of New York. Ms. Stevlingson is a Senior Vice
President of InterCapital and has been a portfolio manager with InterCapital
since October, 1992 and, prior thereto, she was an analyst with Bankers Trust
New York Corp.
In determining which securities to purchase for the Fund or hold in the
Fund's portfolio, the Investment Manager will rely on information from
various sources, including research, analysis and appraisals of brokers and
dealers, including Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), and other broker-dealer
affiliates of the Investment Manager, and others regarding economic
developments and interest rate trends, and the Investment Manager's own
analysis of factors it deems relevant.
Orders for transactions in portfolio securities and commodities are placed
for the Fund with a number of brokers and dealers, including DWR and other
brokers and dealers that are affiliates of the Investment Manager. The Fund
may incur brokerage commissions on transactions conducted through such
affiliates. It is not anticipated that the portfolio trading will result in
the Fund's portfolio turnover rate exceeding 300% in any one year. The Fund
will incur brokerage costs commensurate with its portfolio turnover rate.
Except as specifically noted, all investment policies and practices
discussed above are not fundamental policies of the Fund and thus may be
changed without shareholder approval.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions which
have been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. (See the Statement of
Additional Information for a list of the Fund's other investment
restrictions.) Under the Act, a fundamental policy may not be changed without
the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as
defined in the Act. For purposes of the following limitations: (i) all
percentage limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial
investment, and (ii) any subsequent change in any applicable percentage
resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets
does not require elimination of any security from the portfolio.
The Fund may not:
1. As to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of the value of its
total assets in the securities of one issuer (other than obligations
issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities).
2. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers in any one industry except that the Fund will invest at least 25%
of its total assets in the securities of issuers in the communications and
information industry. This restriction does not apply to securities of the
communications and information industry as defined herein, or to
obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
3. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three
years of continuous operation. This restriction does not apply to
obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
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<PAGE>
4. The Fund may not, as to 75% of its total assets, purchase more than
10% of the voting securities of any issuer.
Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction, the Fund may
seek to achieve its investment objective by investing all or substantially
all of its assets in another investment company having substantially the same
investment objective and policies as the Fund.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL
The Fund offers each class of 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 broker-dealer
agreements with the Distributor ("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal
executive office of the Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048.
The Fund offers four classes of shares (each, a "Class"). Class A shares
are sold to investors with an initial sales charge that declines to zero for
larger purchases; however, Class A shares sold without an initial sales
charge are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.0% if
redeemed within one year of purchase, except for certain specific
circumstances. Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge but
are subject to a CDSC (scaled down from 5.0% to 1.0%) payable upon most
redemptions within six years after purchase. (Class B shares purchased by
certain qualified employer-sponsored benefit plans are subject to a CDSC
scaled down from 2.0% to 1.0% if redeemed within three years after purchase.)
Class C shares are sold without an initial sales charge but are subject to a
CDSC of 1.0% on most redemptions made within one year after purchase. Class D
shares are sold without an initial sales charge or CDSC and are available
only to investors meeting an initial investment minimum of $5 million, and to
certain other limited categories of investors. At the discretion of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, Class A shares may be sold to categories of
investors in addition to those set forth in this prospectus at net asset
value without a front-end sales charge, and Class D shares may be sold to
certain other categories of investors, in each case as may be described in
the then current prospectus of the Fund. See "Alternative Purchase Arrange
ments--Selecting a Particular Class" for a discussion of factors to consider
in selecting which Class of shares to purchase.
The minimum initial purchase is $1,000 for each Class of shares, although
Class D shares are only available to persons investing $5 million or more and
to certain other limited categories of investors. For the purpose of meeting
the minimum $5 million initial investment for Class D shares, and subject to
the $1,000 minimum initial investment for each Class of the Fund, an
investor's existing holdings of Class A shares of the Fund and other Dean
Witter Funds that are multiple class funds ("Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds")
and shares of Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("FSC
Funds") and concurrent investments in Class D shares of the Fund and other
Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds will be aggregated. Subsequent purchases of
$100 or more may be made by sending a check, payable to Dean Witter
Information 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 account executive. When
purchasing shares of the Fund, investors must specify whether the purchase is
for Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D shares. If no Class is specified,
the Transfer Agent will not process the transaction until the proper Class is
identified. The minimum initial purchase in the case of investments through
EasyInvest, an automatic purchase plan (see "Shareholder Services"), is $100,
provided that the schedule of automatic investments
16
<PAGE>
will result in investments totalling at lease $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.
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. 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. As noted above, orders placed directly with the Transfer
Agent must be accompanied by payment. Investors will be entitled to receive
income dividends and capital gains distributions if their order is received
by the close of business on the day prior to the record date for such
dividends and distributions.
Sales personnel of a Selected Broker-Dealer are compensated for selling
shares of the Fund by the Distributor or any of its affiliates and/or the
Selected Broker-Dealer. In addition, some sales personnel of the Selected
Broker-Dealer will receive non-cash compensation in the form of trips to
educational seminars and merchandise as special sales incentives. The Fund
and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase orders.
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS
The Fund offers several Classes of shares to investors designed to provide
them with the flexibility of selecting an investment best suited to their
needs. The general public is offered three Classes of shares: Class A shares,
Class B shares and Class C shares, which differ principally in terms of sales
charges and rate of expenses to which they are subject. A fourth Class of
shares, Class D shares, is offered only to limited categories of investors
(see "No Load Alternative--Class D Shares" below).
Each Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D share of the Fund represents an
identical interest in the investment portfolio of the Fund except that Class
A, Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing shareholder
service fees, Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing
distribution fees and Class A, Class B and Class C shares which are redeemed
subject to a CDSC bear the expense of the additional incremental distribution
costs resulting from the CDSC applicable to shares of those Classes. The
ongoing distribution fees that are imposed on Class A, Class B and Class C
shares will be imposed directly against those Classes and not against all
assets of the Fund and, accordingly, such charges against one Class will not
affect the net asset value of any other Class or have any impact on investors
choosing another sales charge option. See "Plan of Distribution" and
"Redemptions and Repurchases."
Set forth below is a summary of the differences between the Classes and
the factors an investor should consider when selecting a particular Class.
This summary is qualified in its entirety by detailed discussion of each
Class that follows this summary.
Class A Shares. Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial
sales charge of up to 5.25%. The initial sales charge is reduced for certain
purchases. Investments of $1 million or more (and investments by certain
other limited categories of investors) are not subject to any sales charges
at the time of purchase but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made
within one year after purchase, except for certain specific circumstances.
Class A shares are also subject to a 12b-1 fee of up to 0.25% of the average
daily net assets of the Class. See "Initial Sales Charge Alternative--Class A
Shares."
Class B Shares. Class B shares are offered at net asset value with no
initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC (scaled down from 5.0% to
1.0%) if redeemed within six years of purchase. (Class B shares purchased by
certain qualified employer-
17
<PAGE>
sponsored benefit plans are subject to a CDSC scaled down from 2.0% to 1.0%
if redeemed within three years after purchase.) This CDSC may be waived for
certain redemptions. Class B shares are also subject to an annual 12b-1 fee
of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the
Fund's Class B 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 Class B shares redeemed since
the Fund's inception upon which a CDSC has been imposed or waived, or (b) the
average daily net assets of Class B. The Class B shares' distribution fee
will cause that Class to have higher expenses and pay lower dividends than
Class A or Class D shares.
After approximately ten (10) years, Class B shares will convert
automatically to Class A shares of the Fund, based on the relative net asset
values of the shares of the two Classes on the conversion date. In addition,
a certain portion of Class B shares that have been acquired through the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be converted at that time.
See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Alternative--Class B Shares."
Class C Shares. Class C shares are sold at net asset value with no initial
sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made within one
year after purchase. This CDSC may be waived for certain redemptions. They
are subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to 1.0% of the average daily net
assets of the Class C shares. The Class C shares' distribution fee may cause
that Class to have higher expenses and pay lower dividends than Class A or
Class D shares. See "Level Load Alternative--Class C Shares."
Class D Shares. Class D shares are available only to limited categories of
investors (see "No Load Alternative--Class D Shares" below). Class D shares
are sold at net asset value with no initial sales charge or CDSC. They are
not subject to any 12b-1 fees. See "No Load Alternative--Class D Shares."
Selecting a Particular Class. In deciding which Class of Fund shares to
purchase, investors should consider the following factors, as well as any
other relevant facts and circumstances:
The decision as to which Class of shares is more beneficial to an investor
depends on the amount and intended length of his or her investment. Investors
who prefer an initial sales charge alternative may elect to purchase Class A
shares. Investors qualifying for significantly reduced or, in the case of
purchases of $1 million or more, no initial sales charges may find Class A
shares particularly attractive because similar sales charge reductions are
not available with respect to Class B or Class C shares. Moreover, Class A
shares are subject to lower ongoing expenses than are Class B or Class C
shares over the term of the investment. As an alternative, Class B and Class
C shares are sold without any initial sales charge so the entire purchase
price is immediately invested in the Fund. Any investment return on these
additional investment amounts may partially or wholly offset the higher
annual expenses of these Classes. Because the Fund's future return cannot be
predicted, however, there can be no assurance that this would be the case.
Finally, investors should consider the effect of the CDSC period and any
conversion rights of the Classes in the context of their own investment time
frame. For example, although Class C shares are subject to a significantly
lower CDSC upon redemptions, they do not, unlike Class B shares, convert into
Class A shares after approximately ten years, and, therefore, are subject to
an ongoing 12b-1 fee of 1.0% (rather than the 0.25% fee applicable to Class A
shares) for an indefinite period of time. Thus, Class B shares may be more
attractive than Class C shares to investors with longer term investment
outlooks. Other investors, however, may elect to purchase Class C shares if,
for example, they determine that they do not wish to be subject to a
front-end sales charge and they are uncertain as to the length of time they
intend to hold their shares.
For the purpose of meeting the $5 million minimum investment amount for
Class D shares, holdings of Class A shares in all Dean Witter Multi-
18
<PAGE>
Class Funds, shares of FSC Funds and shares of Dean Witter Funds for which
such shares have been exchanged will be included together with the current
investment amount.
Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling each Class
of shares. Investors should understand that the purpose of a CDSC is the same
as that of the initial sales charge in that the sales charges applicable to
each Class provide for the financing of the distribution of shares of that
Class.
Set forth below is a chart comparing the sales charge, 12b-1 fees and
conversion options applicable to each Class of shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONVERSION
CLASS SALES CHARGE 12B-1 FEE FEATURE
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
A MAXIMUM 5.25% 0.25% No
INITIAL SALES CHARGE
REDUCED FOR
PURCHASES OF
$25,000 AND OVER;
SHARES SOLD WITHOUT
AN INITIAL SALES
CHARGE GENERALLY
SUBJECT TO A 1.0%
CDSC DURING FIRST
year.
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- --------------------
B Maximum 5.0% 1.0% B shares convert
CDSC during the first to A shares
year decreasing to 0 after automatically
six years after
approximately
ten years
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- --------------------
C 1.0% CDSC during 1.0% No
first year
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- --------------------
D None None No
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- --------------------
</TABLE>
See "Purchase of Fund Shares" and "The Fund and its Management" for a
complete description of the sales charges and service and distribution fees
for each Class of shares and "Determination of Net Asset Value," "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes" and "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege" for
other differences between the Classes of shares.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS A SHARES
Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial sales charge.
In some cases, reduced sales charges may be available, as described below.
Investments of $1 million or more (and investments by certain other limited
categories of investors) are not subject to any sales charges at the time of
purchase but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made within one
year after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month in which the
shares were purchased), except for certain specific circumstances. The CDSC
will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value
or the cost of the shares being redeemed. The CDSC will not be imposed (i) in
the circumstances set forth below in the section "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge Alternative--Class B Shares--CDSC Waivers," except that the references
to six years in the first paragraph of that section shall mean one year in
the case of Class A shares, and (ii) in the circumstances identified in the
section "Additional Net Asset Value Purchase Options" below. Class A shares
are also subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily
net assets of the Class.
The offering price of Class A shares will be the net asset value per share
next determined following receipt of an order (see "Determination of Net
Asset Value" below), plus a sales charge (expressed as a percentage of the
offering price) on a single transaction as shown in the following table:
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES CHARGE
-------------------------------
PERCENTAGE OF APPROXIMATE
AMOUNT OF SINGLE PUBLIC OFFERING PERCENTAGE OF
TRANSACTION PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED
- -------------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000 .. 5.25% 5.54%
$25,000 but less
than $50,000 ...... 4.75% 4.99%
$50,000 but less
than $100,000 ..... 4.00% 4.17%
$100,000 but less
than $250,000 ..... 3.00% 3.09%
$250,000 but less
than $1 million .. 2.00% 2.04%
$1 million and over 0 0
</TABLE>
Upon notice to all Selected Broker-Dealers, the Distributor may reallow up
to the full applicable sales charge as shown in the above schedule during
periods specified in such notice. During periods
19
<PAGE>
when 90% or more of the sales charge is reallowed, such Selected
Broker-Dealers may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is defined in
the Securities Act of 1933.
The above schedule of sales charges is applicable to purchases in a single
transaction by, among others: (a) an individual; (b) an individual, his or
her spouse and their children under the age of 21 purchasing shares for his,
her or their own accounts; (c) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares
for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account; (d) a pension,
profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan qualified or non-qualified
under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code; (e) tax-exempt organizations
enumerated in Section 501(c)(3) or (13) of the Internal Revenue Code; (f)
employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue
Code of a single employer or of employers who are "affiliated persons" of
each other within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3)(c) of the Act; and for
investments in Individual Retirement Accounts of employees of a single
employer through Systematic Payroll Deduction plans; or (g) any other
organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not, provided the
organization has been in existence for at least six months and has some
purpose other than the purchase of redeemable securities of a registered
investment company at a discount.
Combined Purchase Privilege. Investors may have the benefit of reduced
sales charges in accordance with the above schedule by combining purchases of
Class A shares of the Fund in single transactions with the purchase of Class
A shares of other Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds and shares of FSC Funds. The
sales charge payable on the purchase of the Class A shares of the Fund, the
Class A shares of the other Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds and the shares of
the FSC Funds will be at their respective rates applicable to the total
amount of the combined concurrent purchases of such shares.
Right of Accumulation. The above persons and entities may benefit from a
reduction of the sales charges in accordance with the above schedule if the
cumulative net asset value of Class A shares purchased in a single
transaction, together with shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Funds
previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge (including
shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for those
shares, and including in each case shares acquired through reinvestment of
dividends and distributions), which are held at the time of such transaction,
amounts to $25,000 or more. If such investor has a cumulative net asset value
of shares of FSC Funds and Class A and Class D shares equal to at least $5
million, such investor is eligible to purchase Class D shares subject to the
$1,000 minimum initial investment requirement of that Class of the Fund. See
"No Load Alternative--Class D Shares" below.
The Distributor must be notified by DWR or a Selected Broker-Dealer or the
shareholder at the time a purchase order is placed that the purchase
qualifies for the reduced charge under the Right of Accumulation. Similar
notification must be made in writing by the dealer or shareholder when such
an order is placed by mail. The reduced sales charge will not be granted if:
(a) such notification is not furnished at the time of the order; or (b) a
review of the records of the Selected Broker-Dealer or the Transfer Agent
fails to confirm the investor's represented holdings.
Letter of Intent. The foregoing schedule of reduced sales charges will
also be available to investors who enter into a written Letter of Intent
providing for the purchase, within a thirteen-month period, of Class A shares
of the Fund from DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealers. The cost of Class A
shares of the Fund or shares of other Dean Witter Funds which were previously
purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge during the 90-day
period prior to the date of receipt by the Distributor of the Letter of
Intent, or of Class A shares of the Fund or shares of other Dean Witter Funds
acquired in exchange for shares of such funds purchased during such period at
a price including a front-end sales charge, which are still owned by the
shareholder, may also be included in determining the applicable reduction.
20
<PAGE>
Additional Net Asset Value Purchase Options. In addition to investments of
$1 million or more, Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value
by the following:
(1) trusts for which Dean Witter Trust Company ("DWTC") or Dean Witter
Trust FSB ("DWTFSB") (each of which is an affiliate of the Investment
Manager) provides discretionary trustee services;
(2) persons participating in a fee-based program approved by the
Distributor, pursuant to which such persons pay an asset based fee for
services in the nature of investment advisory or administrative services
(such investments are subject to all of the terms and conditions of such
programs, which may include termination fees and restrictions on
transferability of Fund shares);
(3) retirement plans qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code ("401(k) plans") and other employer-sponsored plans qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code with at least 200 eligible
employees and for which DWTC or DWTFSB serves as Trustee or the 401(k)
Support Services Group of DWR serves as recordkeeper;
(4) 401(k) plans and other employer-sponsored plans qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for which DWTC or DWTFSB serves
as Trustee or the 401(k) Support Services Group of DWR serves as recordkeeper
whose Class B shares have converted to Class A shares, regardless of the
plan's asset size or number of eligible employees;
(5) investors who are clients of a Dean Witter account executive who
joined Dean Witter from another investment firm within six months prior to
the date of purchase of Fund shares by such investors, if the shares are
being purchased with the proceeds from a redemption of shares of an open-end
proprietary mutual fund of the account executive's previous firm which
imposed either a front-end or deferred sales charge, provided such purchase
was made within sixty days after the redemption and the proceeds of the
redemption had been maintained in the interim in cash or a money market fund;
and
(6) other categories of investors, at the discretion of the Board, as
disclosed in the then current prospectus of the Fund.
No CDSC will be imposed on redemptions of shares purchased pursuant to
paragraphs (1), (2) or (5), above.
For further information concerning purchases of the Fund's shares, contact
DWR or another Se-lected Broker-Dealer or consult the Statement of Additional
Information.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS B SHARES
Class B shares are sold at net asset value next determined without an
initial sales charge so that the full amount of an investor's purchase
payment may be immediately invested in the Fund. A CDSC, however, will be
imposed on most Class B shares redeemed within six years after purchase. The
CDSC will be imposed on any redemption of shares if after such redemption the
aggregate current value of a Class B account with the Fund falls below the
aggregate amount of the investor's purchase payments for Class B shares made
during the six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain
employer-sponsored benefit plans, three years) preceding the redemption. In
addition, Class B shares are subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of 1.0% of the
lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's Class B
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 Class B shares redeemed since the Fund's
inception upon which a CDSC has been imposed or waived, or (b) the average
daily net assets of Class B.
Except as noted below, Class B 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 CDSC upon
redemption. Shares redeemed earlier than six years after purchase may,
however, be subject to a CDSC which will be a percentage of the dollar amount
of shares re-
21
<PAGE>
deemed 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
percentage will depend upon how long the shares have been held, as set forth
in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE
PURCHASE CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE
PAYMENT MADE OF 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>
In the case of Class B shares of the Fund held by 401 (k) plans or other
employer-sponsored plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code for which DWTC or DWTFSB serves as Trustee or the 401(k) Support
Services Group of DWR serves as recordkeeper and whose accounts are opened on
or after July 28, 1997, shares held for three years or more after purchase
(calculated as described in the paragraph above) will not be subject to any
CDSC upon redemption. However, shares redeemed earlier than three years after
purchase may be subject to a CDSC (calculated as described in the paragraph
above), the percentage of which will depend on how long the shares have been
held, as set forth in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE
PURCHASE CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE
PAYMENT MADE OF AMOUNT REDEEMED
- -------------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C>
First ..................... 2.0%
Second .................... 2.0%
Third ..................... 1.0%
Fourth and thereafter .... None
</TABLE>
CDSC Waivers. A CDSC will not be imposed on: (i) any amount which
represents an increase in value of shares purchased within the six years (or,
in the case of shares held by certain employer-sponsored benefit plans, three
years) preceding the redemption; (ii) the current net asset value of shares
purchased more than six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain
employer-sponsored benefit plans, three 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
FSC Funds, or of other Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for such
shares. Moreover, in determining whether a CDSC is applicable it will be
assumed that amounts described in (i), (ii) and (iii) above (in that order)
are redeemed first.
In addition, the CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case
of:
(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 or 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
401(k) plan or other employer-sponsored plan qualified under Section 401(a)
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 DWTC or DWTFSB serves as
Trustee or the 401(k)
22
<PAGE>
Support Services Group of DWR serves as recordkeeper ("Eligible Plan"),
provided that either: (A) the plan continues to be an Eligible 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.
Conversion to Class A Shares. All shares of the Fund held prior to July
28, 1997 have been designated Class B shares. Shares held before May 1, 1997
will convert to Class A shares in May, 2007. In all other instances Class B
shares will convert automatically to Class A shares, based on the relative
net asset values of the shares of the two Classes on the conversion date,
which will be approximately ten (10) years after the date of the original
purchase. The ten year period is calculated from the last day of the month in
which the shares were purchased or, in the case of Class B shares acquired
through an exchange or a series of exchanges, from the last day of the month
in which the original Class B shares were purchased, provided that shares
originally purchased before May 1, 1997 will convert to Class A shares in
May, 2007. The conversion of shares purchased on or after May 1, 1997 will
take place in the month following the tenth anniversary of the purchase.
There will also be converted at that time such proportion of Class B shares
acquired through automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions owned
by the shareholder as the total number of his or her Class B shares
converting at the time bears to the total number of outstanding Class B
shares purchased and owned by the shareholder. In the case of Class B shares
held by a 401(k) plan or other employer-sponsored plan qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and for which DWTC or DWTFSB
serves as Trustee or the 401(k) Support Services Group of DWR serves as
recordkeeper, the plan is treated as a single investor and all Class B shares
will convert to Class A shares on the conversion date of the first shares of
a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund purchased by that plan. In the case of Class B
shares previously exchanged for shares of an "Exchange Fund" (see
"Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege"), the period of time the shares
were held in the Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of the month in
which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired) is excluded from the holding
period for conversion. If those shares are subsequently re-exchanged for
Class B shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund, the holding period resumes
on the last day of the month in which Class B shares are reacquired.
If a shareholder has received share certificates for Class B shares, such
certificates must be delivered to the Transfer Agent at least one week prior
to the date for conversion. Class B shares evidenced by share certificates
that are not received by the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to any
conversion date will be converted into Class A shares on the next scheduled
conversion date after such certificates are received.
Effectiveness of the conversion feature is subject to the continuing
availability of a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of
counsel that (i) the conversion of shares does not constitute a taxable event
under the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) Class A shares received on conversion
will have a basis equal to the shareholder's basis in the converted Class B
shares immediately prior to the conversion, and (iii) Class A shares received
on conversion will have a holding period that includes the holding period of
the converted Class B shares. The conversion feature may be suspended if the
ruling or opinion is no longer available. In such event, Class B shares would
continue to be subject to Class B 12b-1 fees.
Class B shares purchased before July 28, 1997 by trusts for which DWTC or
DWTFSB provides
23
<PAGE>
discretionary trustee services will convert to Class A shares on or about
August 29, 1997. The CDSC will not be applicable to such shares.
LEVEL LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS C SHARES
Class C shares are sold at net asset value next determined without an
initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on most redemptions
made within one year after purchase (calculated from the last day of the
month in which the shares were purchased). The CDSC will be assessed on an
amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the cost of the
shares being redeemed. The CDSC will not be imposed in the circumstances set
forth above in the section "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
Alternative--Class B Shares--CDSC Waivers," except that the references to six
years in the first paragraph of that section shall mean one year in the case
of Class C shares. Class C shares are subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to
1.0% of the average daily net assets of the Class. Unlike Class B shares,
Class C shares have no conversion feature and, accordingly, an investor that
purchases Class C shares will be subject to 12b-1 fees applicable to Class C
shares for an indefinite period subject to annual approval by the Fund's
Board of Trustees and regulatory limitations.
NO LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS D SHARES
Class D shares are offered without any sales charge on purchase or
redemption and without any 12b-1 fee. Class D shares are offered only to
investors meeting an initial investment minimum of $5 million and the
following categories of investors: (i) investors participating in the
InterCapital mutual fund asset allocation program pursuant to which such
persons pay an asset based fee; (ii) persons participating in a fee-based
program approved by the Distributor, pursuant to which such persons pay an
asset based fee for services in the nature of investment advisory or
administrative services (subject to all of the terms and conditions of such
programs, which may include termination fees and restrictions on
transferability of Fund shares); (iii) 401(k) plans established by DWR and
SPS Transaction Services, Inc. (an affiliate of DWR) for their employees;
(iv) certain Unit Investment Trusts sponsored by DWR; (v) certain other
open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by the
Distributor; and (vi) other categories of investors, at the discretion of the
Board, as disclosed in the then current prospectus of the Fund Investors who
require a $5 million minimum initial investment to qualify to purchase Class
D shares may satisfy that requirement by investing that amount in a single
transaction in Class D shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Multi-Class
Funds, subject to the $1,000 minimum initial investment required for that
Class of the Fund. In addition, for the purpose of meeting the $5 million
minimum investment amount, holdings of Class A shares in all Dean Witter
Multi-Class Funds, shares of FSC Funds and shares of Dean Witter Funds for
which such shares have been exchanged will be included together with the
current investment amount. If a shareholder redeems Class A shares and
purchases Class D shares, such redemption may be a taxable event.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Act with respect to the distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund. In the case of Class A and Class C shares, the Plan
provides that the Fund will reimburse the Distributor and others for the
expenses of certain activities and services incurred by them specifically on
behalf of those shares. Reimbursements for these expenses will be made in
monthly payments by the Fund to the Distributor, which will in no event
exceed amounts equal to payments at the annual rates of 0.25% and 1.0% of the
average daily net assets of Class A and Class C, respectively. In the case of
Class B shares, the Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor a
fee, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.0% of
the lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's
Class B 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 Class B shares redeemed since the
Fund's inception upon which a CDSC has been imposed or waived, or (b) the
average daily net assets of Class B. The fee is treated by the Fund as
24
<PAGE>
an expense in the year it is accrued. In the case of Class A shares, the
entire amount of the fee currently represents a service fee within the
meaning of the NASD guidelines. In the case of Class B and Class C shares, a
portion of the fee payable pursuant to the Plan, equal to 0.25% of the
average daily net assets of each of these Classes, is currently characterized
as a service fee. A service fee is a payment made for personal service and/or
the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
Additional amounts paid under the Plan in the case of Class B and Class C
shares are paid to the Distributor for services provided and the expenses
borne by the Distributor and others in the distribution of the shares of
those Classes, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares
of those Classes 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 in the case of Class B shares 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 March 31, 1997, Class B shares of the Fund
accrued payments under the Plan amounting to $2,733,235, which amount is
equal to 1.0% of the Fund's average daily net assets for the fiscal year. The
payments accrued under the Plan were calculated pursuant to clause (b) of the
compensation formula under the Plan. All shares held prior to July 28, 1997
have been designated Class B shares.
In the case of Class B shares, at any given time, the expenses in
distributing Class B 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
CDSCs paid by investors upon the redemption of Class B shares. For example,
if $1 million in expenses in distributing Class B 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 $12,988,417 at March 31, 1997, which was equal to 6.08% of the net
assets of the Fund on such date. 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
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 CDSCs 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 CDSCs, may or may not be recovered through future
distribution fees or CDSCs.
In the case of Class A and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to
the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 1.0% of the average daily
net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the
Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses
representing a gross sales commission credited to account executives at the
time of sale may be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. No interest
or other financing charges will be incurred on any Class A or Class C
distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor under the Plan or on any
unreimbursed expenses due to the Distributor pursuant to the Plan.
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
25
<PAGE>
open (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to 4:00 p.m.,
at such earlier time) by taking the net assets of the Fund, dividing by the
number of shares outstanding and adjusting to the nearest cent. The assets
belonging to the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares will be
invested together in a single portfolio. The net asset value of each Class,
however, will be determined separately by subtracting each Class's accrued
expenses and liabilities. The net asset value per share will not be
determined on Good Friday and on such other federal and non-federal holidays
as are observed by the New York Stock Exchange.
In the calculation of the Fund's net asset value: (1) an equity portfolio
security listed or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange or other
domestic or foreign stock exchange is valued at its latest sale price on that
exchange prior to the time 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 or bid prices are not reflective of a security's market value, portfolio
securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under
procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board of
Trustees. For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign portfolio securities,
other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency
are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates as
of the 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 60 days or less at
the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees. Other short-term debt securities will be valued on a mark-to-market
basis until such time as they reach a remaining maturity of 60 days,
whereupon they will be valued at amortized cost using their value on the 61st
day unless the Trustees determine such does not reflect the securities'
market value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair
value as determined by the Trustees. All other securities and other assets
are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures
established by and under the supervision of 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
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions. All income dividends
and capital gains distributions are automatically paid in full and fractional
shares of the applicable Class of the Fund (or, if specified by the
shareholder, in shares of any other open-end Dean Witter Fund), unless the
shareholder requests that they be paid in cash. Shares so acquired are
acquired at net asset value and are not subject to the imposition of a
front-end sales charge or a CDSC (see "Redemptions and Repurchases").
Investment of Dividends or Distributions Received in Cash. Any shareholder
who receives a cash payment representing a dividend or capital gains
distribution may invest such dividend or dis-
26
<PAGE>
tribution in shares of the applicable Class at the net asset value next
determined after receipt by the Transfer Agent, by returning the check or the
proceeds to the Transfer Agent within thirty days after the payment date.
Shares so acquired are acquired at net asset value and are not subject to the
imposition of a front-end sales charge or a CDSC (see "Redemptions and
Repurchases").
EasyInvest. (Service Mark) 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 or following
redemption of shares of a Dean Witter money market fund, 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 any amount, not less than $25, or in any
whole percentage of the account balance, on an annualized basis. Any
applicable CDSC will be imposed on shares redeemed under the Withdrawal Plan
(See "Purchase of Fund Shares"). 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 CDSC) 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. Each
withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares and any gain or loss realized
must be recognized for federal income tax purposes.
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.
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.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shares of each Class may be exchanged for shares of the same Class of any
other Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund without the imposition of any exchange
fee. Shares may also be exchanged for shares of the following funds: Dean
Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal
Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S.
Treasury Trust and five Dean Witter funds which are money market funds (the
"Exchange Funds"). Class A shares may also be exchanged for shares of Dean
Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust and Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal
Trust, which are Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("FSC
Funds"). Class B shares may also be exchanged for shares of Dean Witter
Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc., Dean Witter High Income Securities and
Dean Witter National Municipal Trust, which are Dean Witter Funds offered
with a CDSC ("CDSC 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 Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund, any FSC Fund, any
CDSC Fund or 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
27
<PAGE>
used to purchase shares of the money market fund at their net asset value
determined the following business day. Subsequent exchanges between any of
the money market funds and any of the Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds, FSC
Funds or CDSC Funds or any Exchange Fund that is not a money market fund can
be effected on the same basis. No CDSC is imposed at the time of any exchange
of shares, although any applicable CDSC will be imposed upon ultimate
redemption. During the period of time the shareholder remains in an Exchange
Fund (calculated from the last day of the month in which the shares were
acquired) the holding period (for the purpose of determining the rate of the
contingent deferred sales charge) is frozen. If those shares are subsequently
reexchanged for shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or 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 Dean Witter
Multi-Class Fund or shares of a CDSC Fund are reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is
based upon the time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was
invested in shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in shares of a CDSC
Fund (see "Purchase of Fund Shares"). In the case of exchanges of Class A
shares which are subject to a CDSC, the holding period also includes the time
(calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in shares of a
FSC Fund. However, in the case of shares exchanged for shares of an Exchange
Fund on or after April 23, 1990, 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, if
any, 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.) Class B shares of the Fund acquired in exchange for Class B
shares of another Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or shares of a CDSC Fund
having a different CDSC schedule than that of this Fund will be subject to
the higher CDSC schedule, even if such shares are subsequently re-exchanged
for shares of the fund with the lower CDSC schedule.
Additional Information Regarding Exchanges. Purchases and exchanges should
be made for investment purposes only. A pattern of frequent exchanges may be
deemed by the Investment Manager to be abusive and contrary to the best
interests of the Fund's other shareholders and, at the Investment Manager's
discretion, may be limited by the Fund's refusal to accept additional
purchases and/or exchanges from the investor. Although the Fund does not have
any specific definition of what constitutes a pattern of frequent exchanges,
and will consider all relevant factors in determining whether a particular
situation is abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund and its
other shareholders, investors should be aware that the Fund and each of the
other Dean Witter Funds may in their discretion limit or otherwise restrict
the number of times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any investor.
Any such restriction will be made by the Fund on a prospective basis only,
upon notice to the shareholder not later than ten days following such
shareholder's most recent exchange.
The 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 (presently sixty days' prior written notice for termination or
material revision), provided that six months' prior written notice of
termination will be given to shareholders who hold shares of an Exchange Fund
pursuant to the Exchange Privilege, and provided further that the Exchange
Privilege may be terminated or materially revised without notice under
certain unusual circumstances. 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
of each Class of shares and any other conditions imposed by each
28
<PAGE>
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. In the case of a 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 DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
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 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 case
with the Dean Witter Funds in the past.
For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption. Shares of each Class of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at
any time at the net asset value per share next determined less the amount of
any applicable CDSC in the case of Class A, Class B or Class C shares (see
"Purchase of Fund Shares"). 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, the shares may be redeemed by
surrendering the certificates with a written request for redemption, along
with any additional documentation required by the Transfer Agent.
Repurchase. DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers are authorized to
repurchase shares represented by a share certificate which is delivered to
29
<PAGE>
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 per share next determined (see "Purchase of Fund
Shares") after such purchase 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 the Fund or the
Distributor. The offer by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers to repurchase
shares may be suspended without notice by them at any time. In that event,
shareholders may redeem their shares through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set
forth above under "Redemption."
Payment for Shares Redeemed or Repurchased. Payment for shares presented
for repurchase or redemption will be made by check within seven days after
receipt by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in
good order. Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption
suspended under unusual circumstances, 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 35 days after the date of the redemption or repurchase,
reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of such redemption or repurchase
in shares of the Fund in the same Class from which such shares were redeemed
or repurchased at the 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 on sixty days' notice,
to redeem and at net asset value, the shares of any shareholder (other than
shares held in an Individual Retirement 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 as a result of redemptions or
repurchases, or such lesser amount as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees
or, in the case of an account opened through EasyInvest, if after twelve
months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the account. However,
before the Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to the
shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares is
less than the applicable amount and allow the shareholder sixty days to make
an additional investment in an amount which will increase the value of the
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 declares dividends separately for
each Class of shares and intends to distribute substantially all of the
Fund's net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, at least
once each year. The Fund may, however, determine to retain all or part of any
net long-term capital gains in any year for reinvestment.
All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be paid in
additional shares of the same Class
30
<PAGE>
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. Shares acquired by dividend
and distribution reinvestments will not be subject to any front-end sales
charge or CDSC. Class B shares acquired through dividend and distribution
reinvestments will become eligible for conversion to Class A shares on a pro
rata basis. Distributions paid on Class A and Class D shares will be higher
than for Class B and Class C shares because distribution fees paid by Class B
and Class C shares are higher. (See "Shareholder Services--Automatic
Investment of Dividends and Distributions.")
Taxes. Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment
income and capital gains to shareholders and otherwise continue to qualify as
a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code, it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay any federal
income tax. Shareholders who are required to pay taxes on their income will
normally have to pay federal income taxes, and any state income taxes, on the
dividends and distributions they receive from the Fund. Such dividends and
distributions, to the extent that they are derived from net investment income
or short-term capital gains, are taxable to the shareholder as ordinary
income regardless of whether the shareholder receives such payments in
additional shares or in cash. Any dividends declared with a record date in
the last quarter of any calendar year which are paid in the following year
prior to February 1 will be deemed, for tax purposes, to have been received
by the shareholder in the prior year. Dividend payments will be eligible for
the federal dividends received deduction available to the Fund's corporate
shareholders only to the extent the aggregate dividends received by the Fund
would be eligible for the deduction if the Fund were the shareholder claiming
the dividends received deduc tion. In this regard, a 46-day holding period
generally must be met.
Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder
has held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is
received in additional shares or in cash. Capital gains distributions are not
eligible for the dividends received deduction.
The Fund may at times make payments from sources other than income or net
capital gains. Payments from such sources will, in effect, represent a return
of a portion of each shareholder's investment. All, or a portion, of such
payments will not be taxable to shareholders.
After the end of the calendar year, shareholders will be sent full
information on their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax
purposes. 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.
31
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time the Fund may quote its "total return" in advertisements
and sales literature. These figures are computed separately for Class A,
Class B, Class C and Class D shares. 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 a Class of the Fund of $1,000 over one, five and ten
years, or 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 applicable
Class and all sales charges which would be incurred by shareholders, for the
stated periods. It also assumes reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions paid by the Fund.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return for
each Class over different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, and
year-by-year or other types of total return figures. Such calculations may or
may not reflect the deduction of any sales charge which, if reflected, would
reduce the performance quoted. The Fund may also advertise the growth of
hypothetical investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in each Class of
shares of the Fund. The Fund from time to time may also advertise its
performance relative to certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by
independent organizations (such as mutual fund performance rankings of Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc.).
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 except
that each Class will have exclusive voting privileges with respect to matters
relating to distribution expenses borne solely by such Class or any other
matter in which the interests of one Class differ from the interests of any
other Class. In addition, Class B shareholders will have the right to vote on
any proposed material increase in Class A's expenses, if such proposal is
submitted separately to Class A shareholders. Also, as discussed herein,
Class A, Class B and Class C bear the expenses related to the distribution of
their respective shares.
The Fund is not required to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders and in
ordinary circumstances the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings. The
Trustees may call Special Meetings of Shareholders for action by shareholder
vote as may be required by the Act or the Declaration of Trust. Under certain
circumstances, the Trustees may be removed by action of the Trustees or by
the shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for obligations
of the Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer
of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund, requires that
Fund obligations include such disclaimer, and provides for indemnification
and reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's property for any shareholder
held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its
obligations. Given the above limitation on shareholder personal liability,
and the nature of the Fund's assets and operations, the possibility of the
Fund being unable to meet its obligations is remote and thus, in the opinion
of
32
<PAGE>
Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, the risk to Fund shareholders of personal
liability is remote.
Code of Ethics. Directors, officers and employees of InterCapital, Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. and the Distributor are subject to a strict Code
of Ethics adopted by those companies. The Code of Ethics is intended to
ensure that the interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead
of any personal interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from a
person's employment activities and that actual and potential conflicts of
interest are avoided. To achieve these goals and comply with regulatory
requirements, the Code of Ethics requires, among other things, that personal
securities transactions by employees of the companies be subject to an
advance clearance process to monitor that no 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 60 days of a sale or a sale
within 60 days of a purchase) of a security. In addition, investment
personnel may not purchase or sell a security for their personal account
within 30 days before or after any transaction in any Dean Witter Fund
managed by them. Any violations of the Code of Ethics are subject to
sanctions, including reprimand, demotion or suspension or termination of
employment. The Code of Ethics comports with regulatory requirements and the
recommendations in the 1994 report by the Investment Company Institute
Advisory Group on Personal Investing.
Master/Feeder Conversion. The Fund reserves the right to seek to achieve
its investment objective by investing all of its investable assets in a
diversified, open-end management investment company having the same
investment objective and policies and substantially the same investment
restrictions as those applicable to the Fund.
Shareholder Inquiries. All inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed
to the Fund at the telephone numbers or address set forth on the front cover
of this Prospectus.
33
<PAGE>
THE DEAN WITTER FAMILY OF FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
EQUITY FUNDS
Dean Witter American Value Fund
Dean Witter Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
Dean Witter Utilities Fund
Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
Dean Witter Information Fund
Dean Witter Japan Fund
Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
Dean Witter Special Value Fund
Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
ASSET ALLOCATION FUNDS
Dean Witter Strategist Fund
Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
ACTIVE ASSETS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
Active Assets Money Trust
Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
Active Assets Government Securities Trust
FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
Dean Witter High Income Securities
Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
DEAN WITTER RETIREMENT SERIES
Liquid Asset Series
U.S. Government Money Market Series
U.S. Government Securities Series
Intermediate Income Securities Series
American Value Series
Capital Growth Series
Dividend Growth Series
Stategist Series
Utilities Series
Value-Added Market Series
Global Equity Series
31
<PAGE>
Dean Witter Information Fund
Two World Trade Center DEAN WITTER
New York, New York 10048 INFORMATION FUND
TRUSTEES
Michael Bozic PROSPECTUS--JULY 28,
Charles A. Fiumefreddo 1997
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Manuel H. Johnson
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Barry Fink
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Edward F. Gaylor
Vice President
Peter Hermann
Vice President
Jayne Stevlingson
Vice President
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Chase Manhattan Bank
Chase Plaza
New York, New York 10005
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.
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEAN WITTER
INFORMATION
JULY 28, 1997 FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Information Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end, diversified
management investment company, whose investment objective is long-term
capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing at least 65% of its total assets in common stocks and securities
convertible into common stocks of domestic and foreign companies which are
involved in all areas, and emerging areas, of the communications and
information industries. See "Investment Objective and Policies."
A Prospectus for the Fund dated July 28, 1997, which provides the basic
information you should know before investing in the Fund, may be obtained
without charge from the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed below
or from the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc., or from Dean
Witter Reynolds Inc. at any of its branch offices. This Statement of
Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It contains information in
addition to and more detailed than that set forth in the Prospectus. It is
intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and
operations of the Fund, and should be read in conjunction with the
Prospectus.
Dean Witter Information Fund
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
The Fund and its Management .......... 3
Trustees and Officers ................ 6
Investment Practices and Policies ... 12
Investment Restrictions .............. 25
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage 26
The Distributor ...................... 27
Determination of Net Asset Value .... 31
Purchase of Fund Shares .............. 31
Shareholder Services ................. 34
Redemptions and Repurchases .......... 38
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes .. 39
Performance Information .............. 41
Description of Shares ................ 41
Custodian and Transfer Agent ......... 42
Independent Accountants .............. 42
Reports to Shareholders .............. 42
Legal Counsel ........................ 43
Experts .............................. 43
Registration Statement ............... 43
Financial Statements--March 31, 1997 . 44
Report of Independent Accountants ... 55
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUND
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 December 8, 1994 under the name TCW/DW Global Communications
Fund.
THE INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. (the "Investment Manager" or
"InterCapital"), a Delaware corporation, whose address is Two World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048, is the Fund's Investment Manager.
InterCapital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter,
Discover & Co. ("MSDWD"), a Delaware corporation. In an internal
reorganization which took place in January, 1993, InterCapital assumed the
investment advisory, administrative and management activities previously
performed by the InterCapital Division of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"),
a broker-dealer affiliate of InterCapital. (As hereinafter used in this
Statement of Additional Information, the terms "InterCapital" and "Investment
Manager" refer to DWR's InterCapital Division prior to the internal
reorganization and to Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. thereafter). The daily
management of the Fund and research relating to the Fund's portfolio are
conducted by or under the direction of officers of the Fund and of the
Investment Manager, subject to review by the Fund's Board of Trustees.
Information as to these Trustees and officers is contained under the caption
"Trustees and Officers."
InterCapital is also the investment manager or investment adviser of the
following investment companies: Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.,
InterCapital Income Securities Inc., Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.,
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter Value-Added Market
Series, Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, Dean Witter Natural Resource
Development Securities Inc., Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.,
Dean Witter American Value Fund, Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities
Trust, Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Variable
Investment Series, Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust, Dean Witter
Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund, Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities
Trust, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean Witter New York
Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust, Dean Witter
Federal Securities Trust, High Income Advantage Trust, High Income Advantage
Trust II, High Income Advantage Trust III, Dean Witter Government Income
Trust, Dean Witter Utilities Fund, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily
Income Trust, Dean Witter Strategist Fund, Dean Witter World Wide Income
Trust, Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities, Dean Witter New York
Municipal Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities, Dean
Witter European Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals
Trust, Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc., Dean Witter Pacific
Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, Dean Witter
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust,
InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust, InterCapital Insured Municipal Income
Trust, InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust, InterCapital
Quality Municipal Investment Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Income
Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital California
Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital New York Quality Municipal
Securities, Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust, Dean Witter Health Sciences
Trust, Dean Witter Retirement Series, Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth
Securities, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust, InterCapital Insured
Municipal Securities, InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities,
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund, Dean
Witter National Municipal Trust, Dean Witter High Income Securities, Dean
Witter International SmallCap Fund, Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Dean
Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund,
Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust, Dean
Witter Capital Appreciation Fund, Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury
Trust, Dean Witter Special Value Fund, Dean Witter Income Builder Fund, Dean
Witter Financial Services Trust, Dean Witter Market Leader Trust, Dean Witter
Japan Fund, Active Assets Money Trust, Active Assets Tax-Free Trust, Active
Assets California Tax-Free Trust, Active Assets Government Securities Trust,
Municipal Income Trust, Municipal Income Trust II, Municipal Income Trust
III, Municipal Income Opportunities Trust, Municipal Income Opportunities
Trust II, Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III, Municipal Premium Income
Trust and Prime Income Trust. The foregoing investment companies are
collectively referred to as the Dean Witter Funds.
3
<PAGE>
In addition, Dean Witter Services Company Inc. ("DWSC"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of InterCapital, serves as manager for the following investment
companies for which TCW Funds Management, Inc. is the investment adviser:
TCW/DW Core Equity Trust, TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust,
TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund, TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund, TCW/DW
Small Cap Growth Fund, TCW/DW Balanced Fund, TCW/DW Total Return Trust,
TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust, TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, TCW/DW Strategic
Income Fund, TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust, TCW/DW Term Trust
2000, TCW/DW Term Trust 2002 and TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 (the "TCW/DW Funds").
InterCapital also serves as: (i) administrator of The BlackRock Strategic
Term Trust Inc., a closed-end investment company; and (ii) sub-administrator
of MassMutual Participation Investors and Templeton Global Governments Income
Trust, closed-end investment companies.
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Agreement") with the
Investment Manager, the Fund has retained the Investment Manager to manage
the investment of the Fund's assets, including the placing of orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Investment Manager obtains and
evaluates such information and advice relating to the economy, securities
markets and specific securities as it considers necessary or useful to
continuously manage the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its
investment objective.
Under the terms of the Agreement, in addition to managing the Fund's
investments, the Investment Manager maintains certain of the Fund's books and
records and furnishes, at its own expense, such office space, facilities,
equipment, clerical help and bookkeeping and legal services as the Fund may
reasonably require in the conduct of its business, including the preparation
of prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and
reports required to be filed with federal and state securities commissions
(except insofar as the participation or assistance of independent accountants
and attorneys is, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, necessary or
desirable). In addition, the Investment Manager pays the salaries of all
personnel, including officers of the Fund, who are employees of the
Investment Manager. The Investment Manager also bears the cost of telephone
service, heat, light, power and other utilities provided to the Fund.
Pursuant to a Services Agreement between InterCapital and DWSC, DWSC has
been retained to provide administrative services to the Fund.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the
Agreement or by Dean Witter Distributiors Inc., the Distributor of the Fund's
shares ("Distributors" or "the Distributor") will be paid by the Fund. These
expenses will be allocated among four classes of shares of the Fund (each, a
"Class") pro rata based on the net assets of the Fund attributable to each
Class, except as described below. The expenses borne by the Fund include, but
are not limited to: expenses of the Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule
12b-1 (the "12b-1 fee") (see '"The Distributor"); charges and expenses of any
registrar; custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing agent; brokerage
commissions; taxes; engraving and printing of share certificates;
registration costs of the Fund and its shares under federal and state
securities laws; the cost and expense of printing, including typesetting, and
distributing Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information of the
Fund and supplements thereto to the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of
shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing
of proxy statements and reports to shareholders; fees and travel expenses of
Trustees or members of any advisory board or committee who are not employees
of the Investment Manager or any corporate affiliate of the Investment
Manager; all expenses incident to any dividend, withdrawal or redemption
options; charges and expenses of any outside service used for pricing of the
Fund's shares; fees and expenses of legal counsel, including counsel to the
Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund or of the Investment
Manager (not including compensation or expenses of attorneys who are
employees of the Investment Manager) and independent accountants; membership
dues of industry associations; interest on Fund borrowings; postage;
insurance premiums on property or personnel (including officers and Trustees)
of the Fund which inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses (including,
but not limited to, legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any
indemnification relating thereto); and all other costs of the Fund's
operation. The 12b-1 fees relating to a particular Class will be allocated
directly to that Class. In addition, other expenses associated with a
particular Class (except advisory or custodial fees) may be allocated
directly to that Class, provided that such expenses are reasonably identified
as specifically attributable to that Class and the direct allocation to that
Class is approved by the Trustees.
4
<PAGE>
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays the
Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
annual rate of 0.75% to the Fund's daily net assets. Effective May 1, 1997,
the Investment Manager's compensation was scaled down to 0.725% on assets
over $500 million. For the fiscal period November 28, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through March 31, 1996, and for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1997, the Fund accrued total compensation to the Investment Manager in the
amount of $405,308 and $2,043,107, respectively.
The Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder,
the Investment Manager is not liable to the Fund or any of its investors for
any act or omission by the Investment Manager or for any losses sustained by
the Fund or its investors. The Agreement in no way restricts the Investment
Manager from acting as investment manager or adviser to others.
The Investment Manager has paid the organizational expenses of the Fund of
approximately $179,000 incurred prior to the offering of the Fund's shares.
The Fund has reimbursed InterCapital for such expenses The Fund has deferred
and is amortizing the reimbursed expenses on the straight line method over a
period not to exceed five years from the date of commencement of the Fund's
operations.
The Agreement was initially approved by the Trustees on February 21, 1997
and by the shareholders of the Fund at a Special Meeting of Shareholders held
on May 21, 1997. The Agreement is substantially similar to a prior investment
management agreement which was initially approved by the Trustees on August
24, 1995 and by InterCapital as the then sole shareholder on September 15,
1995. The Agreement took effect on May 31, 1997 upon the consummation of the
merger of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. with Morgan Stanley Group Inc. The
Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, on thirty days'
notice by the Trustees of the Fund, by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"), or by the Investment Manager. The Agreement
will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in
the Act).
Under its terms, the Agreement has an initial term ending April 30, 1999,
and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided
continuance of the Agreement is approved at least annually by the vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, as defined in
the Act, or by the Trustees of the Fund; provided that in either event such
continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of
the Fund who are not parties to the Agreement or "interested persons" (as
defined in the Act) of any such party (the "Independent Trustees"), which
vote must be cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval.
The Fund has acknowledged that the name "Dean Witter" is a property right
of DWR. The Fund has agreed that DWR may use, or at any time permit others to
use, the name "Dean Witter." The Fund has also agreed that in the event the
Investment Management Agreement between InterCapital and the Fund is
terminated, or if the affiliation between InterCapital and its parent company
is terminated, the Fund will eliminate the name "Dean Witter" from its name
if DWR shall so request.
5
<PAGE>
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Trustees and Executive Officers of the Fund, their principal business
occupations during the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with
InterCapital, and its affiliated companies and with 83 Dean Witter Funds and
14 TCW/DW Funds, are shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic (56) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture
Trustee Corporation (since November, 1995); Director or Trustee
c/o Levitz Furniture Corporation of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly President and Chief
6111 Broken Sound Parkway, N.W. Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May,
Boca Raton, Florida 1991-July, 1995); formerly variously Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer
(1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears,
Roebuck and Co.; Director of Eaglemark Financial
Services, Inc., the United Negro College Fund and
Weirton Steel Corporation.
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (64) Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Chairman, President, Chief InterCapital, Distributors and DWSC; Executive Vice
Executive Officer and Trustee President and Director of DWR; Chairman, Director or
Two World Trade Center Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
New York, New York Dean Witter Funds; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Chairman and Director of
Dean Witter Trust Company ("DWTC"); Director and/or
officer of various MSDWD subsidiaries; formerly
Executive Vice President and Director of Dean Witter,
Discover & Co. (until February, 1993).
Edwin J. Garn (64) Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly United
Trustee States Senator (R-Utah)(1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate
c/o Huntsman Corporation Banking Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor of Salt Lake
500 Huntsman Way City, Utah (1971-1974); formerly Astronaut, Space Shuttle
Salt Lake City, Utah Discovery (April 12-19, 1985); Vice Chairman, Huntsman
Corporation (since January, 1993); Director of Franklin Quest
(time management systems) and John Alden Financial Corp. (health
insurance); Member of the board of various civic and charitable
organizations.
John R. Haire (72) Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Committee
Trustee of the Independent Directors or Trustees and Director or Trustee
Two World Trade Center of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman of the Audit Committee
New York, New York and Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees
and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly President, Council
for Aid to Education (1978-1989), and Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Anchor Corporation, an Investment Adviser
(1964-1978); Director of Washington National Corporation
(insurance).
6
<PAGE>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
Wayne E. Hedien** (63) Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds (commencing
Trustee on September 1, 1997); Director of The PMI Group, Inc. (private
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky mortgage insurance); Trustee and Vice Chairman of The Field
Weitzen Shalov & Wein Museum of Natural History; formerly associated with the Allstate
Counsel to the Independent Companies (1966 1994), most recently as Chairman of The Allstate
Trustees Corporation (March, 1993-December, 1994) and Chairman and
114 West 47th Street Chief Executive Officer of its wholly-owned subsidiary,
New York, New York Allstate Insurance Company (July, 1989-December, 1994);
director of various other business and charitable
organizations.
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (48) Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc., a consulting
Trustee firm; Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc. (G7C), an international economic commission (since September,
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. 1990); Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee
Washington, D.C. of the TCW/DW Funds; Director of NASDAQ (since June, 1995);
Director of Greenwich Capital Markets Inc. (broker-dealer);
Trustee of the Financial Accounting Foundation (oversight
organization for the Financial Accounting Standards Board);
formerly Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Federal
Reserve System (February, 1986-August, 1990) and Assistant
Secretary of the U.S. Treasury (1982-1986).
Michael E. Nugent (61) General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private investment
Trustee partnership (since April, 1988); Director or Trustee of the
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P. Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly Vice
237 Park Avenue President, Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation
New York, New York (1984-1988); Director of various business organizations.
Philip J. Purcell* (53) Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Trustee of MSDWD, DWR and Novus Credit Services Inc.; Director of
1585 Broadway InterCapital, DWSC and Distributors; Director or Trustee of
New York, New York the Dean Witter Funds; Director and/or officer of various
MSDWD subsidiaries.
John L. Schroeder (66) Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director of Citizens Utilities Company;
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
Weitzen Shalov & Wein of the Home Insurance Company (August, 1991 September, 1995).
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York
7
<PAGE>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
Barry Fink (42) Senior Vice President (since March, 1997) and Secretary and
Vice President, General Counsel (since February, 1997) of InterCapital and
Secretary and General Counsel DWSC; Senior Vice President (since March, 1997) and Assistant
Two World Trade Center Secretary and Assistant General Counsel (since February, 1997)
New York, New York of Distributors; Assistant Secretary of DWR (since August,
1996); Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the
Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds (since February, 1997);
previously First Vice President (June, 1993-February, 1997),
Vice President (until June, 1993) and Assistant Secretary
and Assistant General Counsel of InterCapital and DWSC and
Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and TCW/DW Funds.
Edward F. Gaylor (55) Senior Vice President of InterCapital and Vice President of
Vice President various Dean Witter Funds.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York
Peter Hermann (37) Vice President of InterCapital since (May, 1996); Vice President
Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds; previously Senior Portfolio
Two World Trade Center Manager of InterCapital (March, 1994-May, 1996) and prior
New York, New York thereto Portfolio Manager with the Bank of New York (August,
1987-February, 1994).
Jayne Stevlingson (37) Senior Vice President of InterCapital (since June, 1997);
Vice President formerly Vice President of InterCapital; Vice President of
Two World Trade Center various Dean Witter Funds; formerly Assistant Vice President
New York, New York of Bankers Trust New York Corp. (January, 1990-September,
1992).
Thomas F. Caloia (51) First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of InterCapital
Treasurer and DWSC; Treasurer of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW
Two World Trade Center Funds.
New York, New York
- ------------
* Denotes Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in
the Act.
** Mr. Hedien's term as Trustee will commence on September 1, 1997.
In addition, Robert M. Scanlan, President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Manager and InterCapital and DWSC, Executive Vice President of
Distributors and DWTC and Director of DWTC, Mitchell M. Merin, President and
Chief Strategic Officer of InterCapital and DWSC, Executive Vice President of
Distributors and DWTC and Director of DWTC, Executive Vice President, Chief
Administrative Officer and Director of DWR and Director of SPS Transaction
Services, Inc. and various other MSDWD subsidiaries, Joseph J. McAlinden,
Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of InterCapital and
Director of DWTC and Robert S. Giambrone, Senior Vice President of
InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC and Director of DWTC, are Vice
Presidents of the Fund. Marilyn K. Cranney, First Vice President and
Assistant General Counsel of InterCapital and DWSC, and Lou Anne D. McInnis,
Carsten Otto and Ruth Rossi, Vice Presidents and Assistant General Counsels
of InterCapital and DWSC, and Frank Bruttomesso a Staff Attorney with
InterCapital, are Assistant Secretaries of the Fund.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, AND THE COMMITTEES
The Board of Trustees consists of eight (8) trustees; as noted above, Mr.
Hedien's term will commence on September 1, 1997. These same individuals also
serve as directors or trustees for all of the Dean Witter
8
<PAGE>
Funds, and are referred to in this section as Trustees. As of the date of
this Statement of Additional Information, there are a total of 83 Dean Witter
Funds, comprised of 126 portfolios. As of June 30, 1997, the Dean Witter
Funds had total net assets of approximately $87.9 billion and more than five
million shareholders.
Six Trustees and Mr. Hedien (77% of the total number) have no affiliation
or business connection with InterCapital or any of its affiliated persons and
do not own any stock or other securities issued by InterCapital's parent
company, MSDWD. These are the "disinterested" or "independent" Trustees. The
other two Trustees (the "management Trustees") are affiliated with
InterCapital. Four of the six independent Trustees are also Independent
Trustees of the TCW/DW Funds.
Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties
for the Independent Trustees. The Dean Witter Funds seek as Independent
Trustees individuals of distinction and experience in business and finance,
government service or academia; these are people whose advice and counsel are
in demand by others and for whom there is often competition. To accept a
position on the Funds' Boards, such individuals may reject other attractive
assignments because the Funds make substantial demands on their time. Indeed,
by serving on the Funds' Boards, certain Trustees who would otherwise be
qualified and in demand to serve on bank boards would be prohibited by law
from doing so.
All of the current Independent Trustees serve as members of the Audit
Committee and the Committee of the Independent Trustees. Three of them also
serve as members of the Derivatives Committee. During the calendar year ended
December 31, 1996, the three Committees held a combined total of sixteen
meetings. The Committees hold some meetings at InterCapital's offices and
some outside InterCapital. Management Trustees or officers do not attend
these meetings unless they are invited for purposes of furnishing information
or making a report.
The Committee of the Independent Trustees is charged with recommending to
the full Board approval of management, advisory and administration contracts,
Rule 12b-1 plans and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually
reviewing Fund performance; checking on the pricing of portfolio securities,
brokerage commissions, transfer agent costs and performance, and trading
among Funds in the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related
insurance coverage and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from
time to time. The Independent Trustees are required to select and nominate
individuals to fill any Independent Trustee vacancy on the Board of any Fund
that has a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution. Most of the Dean Witter Funds
have such a plan.
The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the
engagement or discharge of the Fund's independent accountants; directing
investigations into matters within the scope of the independent accountants'
duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the
independent accountants the audit plan and results of the auditing
engagement; approving professional services provided by the independent
accountants and other accounting firms prior to the performance of such
services; reviewing the independence of the independent accountants;
considering the range of audit and non-audit fees; reviewing the adequacy of
the Fund's system of internal controls; and preparing and submitting
Committee meeting minutes to the full Board.
Finally, the Board of each Fund has formed a Derivatives Committee to
establish parameters for and oversee the activities of the Fund with respect
to derivative investments, if any, made by the Fund.
DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE OF THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES AND AUDIT
COMMITTEE
The Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees and the Audit
Committee maintains an office at the Funds' headquarters in New York. He is
responsible for keeping abreast of regulatory and industry developments and
the Funds' operations and management. He screens and/or prepares written
materials and identifies critical issues for the Independent Trustees to
consider, develops agendas for Committee meetings, determines the type and
amount of information that the Committees will need to form a judgment on
various issues, and arranges to have that information furnished to Committee
members. He also arranges for the services of independent experts and
consults with them in advance of meetings to help refine reports and to focus
on critical issues. Members of the Committees believe that the person who
serves as Chairman of both Committees and guides their efforts is pivotal to
the effective functioning of the Committees.
9
<PAGE>
The Chairman of the Committees also maintains continuous contact with the
Funds' management, with independent counsel to the Independent Trustees and
with the Funds' independent auditors. He arranges for a series of special
meetings involving the annual review of investment advisory, management and
other operating contracts of the Funds and, on behalf of the Committees,
conducts negotiations with the Investment Manager and other service
providers. In effect, the Chairman of the Committees serves as a combination
of chief executive and support staff of the Independent Trustees.
The Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees and the Audit
Committee is not employed by any other organization and devotes his time
primarily to the services he performs as Committee Chairman and Independent
Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds and as an Independent Trustee and, since
July 1, 1996, as Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees and
the Audit Committee of the TCW/DW Funds. The current Committee Chairman has
had more than 35 years experience as a senior executive in the investment
company industry.
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FOR ALL DEAN
WITTER FUNDS
The Independent Trustees and the Funds' management believe that having the
same Independent Trustees for each of the Dean Witter Funds avoids the
duplication of effort that would arise from having different groups of
individuals serving as Independent Trustees for each of the Funds or even of
sub-groups of Funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as
Independent Trustees of all the Funds tends to increase their knowledge and
expertise regarding matters which affect the Fund complex generally and
enhances their ability to negotiate on behalf of each Fund with the Fund's
service providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of
separate groups of Independent Trustees arriving at conflicting decisions
regarding operations and management of the Funds and avoids the cost and
confusion that would likely ensue. Finally, having the same Independent
Trustees serve on all Fund Boards enhances the ability of each Fund to
obtain, at modest cost to each separate Fund, the services of Independent
Trustees, and a Chairman of their Committees, of the caliber, experience and
business acumen of the individuals who serve as Independent Trustees of the
Dean Witter Funds.
COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
The Fund pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $1,000 plus a per
meeting fee of $50 for meetings of the Board of Trustees or committees of the
Board of Trustees attended by the Trustee (the Fund pays the Chairman of the
Audit Committee an annual fee of $750 and pays the Chairman of the Committee
of the Independent Trustees an additional annual fee of $1,200). The Fund
also reimburses such Trustees for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. Trustees and
officers of the Fund who are or have been employed by the Investment Manager
or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement
from the Fund.
The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees by the Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997.
FUND COMPENSATION
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FROM THE FUND
- --------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic .............. $1,800
Edwin J. Garn .............. 1,900
John R. Haire .............. 3,550
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ..... 1,850
Michael E. Nugent........... 1,900
John L. Schroeder........... 1,900
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996 for
services to the 82 Dean Witter Funds and, in the case of Messrs. Haire,
Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder, the 14 TCW/DW Funds that were in operation at
December 31, 1996. With respect to Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Nugent and
Schroeder, the TCW/DW Funds are included solely because of a limited exchange
privilege between those Funds and five Dean Witter Money Market Funds.
CASH COMPENSATION FROM DEAN WITTER FUNDS AND TCW/DW FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR SERVICE AS
CHAIRMAN OF
COMMITTEES OF FOR SERVICE AS
INDEPENDENT CHAIRMAN OF
FOR SERVICE DIRECTORS/ COMMITTEES OF TOTAL CASH
AS DIRECTOR OR FOR SERVICE AS TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION
TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEE AND AUDIT TRUSTEES FOR SERVICES TO
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMITTEES OF 82 AND AUDIT 82 DEAN WITTER
NAME OF OF 82 DEAN WITTER OF 14 TCW/DW DEAN WITTER COMMITTEES OF 14 FUNDS AND 14
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS TCW/DW FUNDS TCW/DW FUNDS
- ---------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic ......... $138,850 -- -- -- $138,850
Edwin J. Garn ......... 140,900 -- -- -- 140,900
John R. Haire ......... 106,400 $64,283 $195,450 $12,187 378,320
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson 137,100 66,483 -- -- 203,583
Michael E. Nugent .... 138,850 64,283 -- -- 203,133
John L. Schroeder...... 137,150 69,083 -- -- 206,233
</TABLE>
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, 57 of the Dean
Witter Funds, not including the Fund, have adopted a retirement program under
which an Independent Trustee who retires after serving for at least five
years (or such lesser period as may be determined by the Board) as an
Independent Director or Trustee of any Dean Witter Fund that has adopted the
retirement program (each such Fund referred to as an "Adopting Fund" and each
such Trustee referred to as an "Eligible Trustee") is entitled to retirement
payments upon reaching the eligible retirement age (normally, after attaining
age 72). Annual payments are based upon length of service. Currently, upon
retirement, each Eligible Trustee is entitled to receive from the Adopting
Fund, commencing as of his or her retirement date and continuing for the
remainder of his or her life, an annual retirement benefit (the "Regular
Benefit") equal to 25.0% of his or her Eligible Compensation plus 0.4166666%
of such Eligible Compensation for each full month of service as an
Independent Director or Trustee of any Adopting Fund in excess of five years
up to a maximum of 50.0% after ten years of service. The foregoing
percentages may be changed by the Board. (1) "Eligible Compensation" is
one-fifth of the total compensation earned by such Eligible Trustee for
service to the Adopting Fund in the five year period prior to the date of the
Eligible Trustee's retirement. Benefits under the retirement program are not
secured or funded by the Adopting Funds.
The following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to the
Fund's Independent Trustees by the 57 Dean Witter Funds (not including the
Fund) for the year ended December 31, 1996, and the estimated retirement
benefits for the Fund's Independent Trustees, to commence upon their
retirement, from the 57 Dean Witter Funds as of December 31, 1996.
- ------------
(1) An Eligible Trustee may elect alternate payments of his or her
retirement benefits based upon the combined life expectancy of such
Eligible Trustee and his or her spouse on the date of such Eligible
Trustee's retirement. The amount estimated to be payable under this
method, through the remainder of the later of the lives of such
Eligible Trustee and spouse, will be the actuarial equivalent of the
Regular Benefit. In addition, the Eligible Trustee may elect that the
surviving spouse's periodic payment of benefits will be equal to either
50% or 100% of the previous periodic amount, an election that,
respectively, increases or decreases the previous periodic amount so
that the resulting payments will be the actuarial equivalent of the
Regular Benefit.
11
<PAGE>
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM ALL DEAN WITTER FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED
RETIREMENT ANNUAL
ESTIMATED BENEFITS BENEFITS
CREDITED ACCRUED AS UPON
YEARS ESTIMATED EXPENSES RETIREMENT
OF SERVICE AT PERCENTAGE OF BY ALL FROM ALL
RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE ADOPTING ADOPTING
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE (MAXIMUM 10) COMPENSATION FUNDS FUNDS (2)
- --------------------------- --------------- --------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic .............. 10 50.0% $20,147 $ 51,325
Edwin J. Garn .............. 10 50.0 27,772 51,325
John R. Haire .............. 10 50.0 46,952 129,550
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ..... 10 50.0 10,926 51,325
Michael E. Nugent .......... 10 50.0 19,217 51,325
John L. Schroeder........... 8 41.7 38,700 42,771
</TABLE>
- ------------
(2) Based on current levels of compensation. Amount of annual benefits also
varies depending on the Trustee's elections described in Footnote (1)
above.
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the aggregate
number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund owned by the Fund's
officers and Trustees as a group was less than 1 percent of the Fund's shares
of beneficial interest outstanding.
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in, among other
securities, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities. Such securities include:
(1) U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year or less), U.S. Treasury
notes (maturities of one to ten years) and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally
maturities of greater than ten years), all of which are direct obligations
of the U.S. Government and, as such, are backed by the "full faith and
credit" of the United States.
(2) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States. Among the agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations
are the Federal Housing Administration, the Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Export-Import Bank, the Farmers Home Administration, the General Services
Administration, the Maritime Administration and the Small Business
Administration. The maturities of such obligations range from three months
to 30 years.
(3) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but whose
issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its
obligations, from an existing line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. Among
the agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations are the
Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal National Mortgage Association
("FNMA"), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and the
U.S. Postal Service.
(4) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but which are
backed by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality. Among the
agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations are the Federal
Farm Credit System and the Federal Home Loan Banks.
Neither the value nor the yield of the U.S. Government securities which
may be invested in by the Fund are guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Such
values and yield will fluctuate with changes in prevailing interest rates and
other factors. Generally, as prevailing interest rates rise, the value of any
U.S. Government securities held by the Fund will fall. Such securities with
longer maturities generally tend to produce higher
12
<PAGE>
yields and are subject to greater market fluctuation as a result of changes
in interest rates than debt securities with shorter maturities. The Fund is
not limited as to the maturities of the U.S. Government securities in which
it may invest.
MONEY MARKET SECURITIES
As stated in the Prospectus, the money market instruments which the Fund
may purchase include U.S. Government securities, bank obligations, Eurodollar
certificates of deposit, obligations of savings institutions, fully insured
certificates of deposit and commercial paper. Such securities are limited to:
U.S. Government Securities. Obligations issued or guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the United States or its agencies (such as the
Export-Import Bank of the United States, Federal Housing Administration and
Government National Mortgage Association) or its instrumentalities (such as
the Federal Home Loan Bank), including Treasury bills, notes and bonds;
Bank Obligations. Obligations (including certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances, commercial paper (see below) and other debt obligations) of
banks subject to regulation by the U.S. Government and having total assets of
$1 billion or more, and instruments secured by such obligations, not
including obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks except as
permitted below;
Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit. Eurodollar certificates of deposit
issued by foreign branches of domestic banks having total assets of $1
billion or more (investments in Eurodollar certificates may be affected by
changes in currency rates or exchange control regulations, or changes in
governmental administration or economic or monetary policy in the United
States and abroad);
Obligations of Savings Institutions. Certificates of deposit of savings
banks and savings and loan associations, having total assets of $1 billion or
more (investments in savings institutions above $100,000 in principal amount
are not protected by Federal deposit insurance);
Fully Insured Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit of banks
and savings institutions, having total assets of less than $1 billion, if the
principal amount of the obligation is insured by the Bank Insurance Fund or
the Savings Association Insurance Fund (each of which is administered by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), limited to $100,000 principal amount
per certificate and to 15% or less of the Fund's total assets in all such
obligations and in all illiquid assets, in the aggregate; and
Commercial Paper. Commercial paper rated within the two highest grades by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or the highest grade by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or, if not rated, issued by a company having an outstanding
debt issue rated at least AAA by Standard & Poor's or Aaa by Moody's.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, the Fund may lend its
portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions,
provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to
notice provisions described below), and are at all times secured by cash or
money market instruments, which are maintained in a segregated account
pursuant to applicable regulations and that are equal to at least the market
value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such
loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned
securities while at the same time earning interest on the cash amounts
deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations.
The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not
permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are
qualified for sale and will not lend more than 25% of the value of its total
assets. A loan may be terminated by the borrower on one business day's
notice, or by the Fund on two business days' notice. If the borrower fails to
deliver the loaned securities within two days after receipt of notice, the
Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the
borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with
any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some
cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the
securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio securities
will only be made to firms deemed by the Investment Manager to be
creditworthy and when the income which can be earned from such loans
justifies the attendant risks. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is
required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market
price during the loan period would
13
<PAGE>
inure to the Fund. The creditworthiness of firms to which the Fund lends its
portfolio securities will be monitored on an ongoing basis by the Investment
Manager pursuant to procedures adopted and reviewed, on an ongoing basis, by
the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
When voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to
the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned
securities, to be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the
exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material effect
on the Fund's investment in such loaned securities. The Fund will pay
reasonable finder's, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a
loan of its securities. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Fund
did not lend any portfolio securities.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
When cash may be available for only a few days, it may be invested by the
Fund in repurchase agreements until such time as it may otherwise be invested
or used for payments of obligations of the Fund. These agreements, which may
be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund, typically involve the
acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a selling financial
institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer.
The agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and
that the institution will repurchase, the underlying security ("collateral")
at a specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than
seven days from the date of purchase. The collateral will be maintained in a
segregated account and will be marked to market daily to determine that the
value of the collateral, as specified in the agreement, does not decrease
below the purchase price plus accrued interest. If such decrease occurs,
additional collateral will be requested and, when received, added to the
account to maintain full collateralization. The Fund will accrue interest
from the institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur. Although
such date is deemed by the Fund to be the maturity date of a repurchase
agreement, the maturities of securities subject to repurchase agreements are
not subject to any limits.
While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with
direct investments in debt securities, the Fund follows procedures designed
to minimize such risks. These procedures include effecting repurchase
transactions only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial
institutions whose financial condition will be continually monitored by the
Investment Manager subject to procedures established by the Board of Trustees
of the Fund. In addition, as described above, the value of the collateral
underlying the repurchase agreement will be at least equal to the repurchase
price, including any accrued interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In
the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the
Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the
Fund's right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or
delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the
obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could
suffer a loss. It is the current policy of the Fund not to invest in
repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such
investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by the Fund, amounts
to more than 15% of its net assets. During the fiscal year ended March 31,
1997, the Fund did not enter into any repurchase agreements.
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 and 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. The securities so purchased or sold are subject to
market fluctuation and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior
to the settlement date. While the Fund will only purchase securities on a
when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis with the intention
of acquiring the securities, the Fund may sell the securities before the
settlement date, if it is deemed advisable. At the time the Fund makes the
commitment to purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery
or forward commitment basis, the Fund will record the transaction and
thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such security purchased or, if a
sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining its net asset value. At the
time of delivery of the securities, the value may be more or less than the
purchase or sale price. The Fund will also establish a segregated account
with the Fund's custodian bank in which it will continuously maintain cash or
U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities
14
<PAGE>
equal in value to commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued,
delayed delivery or forward commitment basis; subject to this requirement,
the Fund may purchase securities on such basis without limit. An increase in
the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities
on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the volatility of the
Fund's net asset value. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Fund
did not purchase any securities on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis.
WHEN, AS AND IF ISSUED SECURITIES
The Fund may purchase securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis under
which the issuance of the security depends upon the occurrence of a
subsequent event, such as approval of a merger, corporate reorganization,
leveraged buyout or debt restructuring. The commitment for the purchase of
any such security will not be recognized in the portfolio of the Fund until
the Investment Manager determines that issuance of the security is probable.
At such time, the Fund will record the transaction and, in determining its
net asset value, will reflect the value of the security daily. At such time,
the Fund will also establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in
which it will continuously maintain cash or U.S. Government securities or
other liquid portfolio securities equal in value to recognized commitments
for such securities. Once a segregated account has been established, if the
anticipated event does not occur and the securities are not issued the Fund
will have lost an investment opportunity. The Fund may purchase securities on
such basis without limit. An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets
committed to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis
may increase the volatility of its net asset value. The Investment Manager
does not believe that the net asset value of the Fund will be adversely
affected by its purchase of securities on such basis. The Fund may also sell
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis provided that the issuance of
the security will result automatically from the exchange or conversion of a
security owned by the Fund at the time of the sale. During the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1997, the Fund did not purchase any when, as and if issued
securities.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may enter into forward foreign
currency exchange contract ("forward contracts") as a hedge against
fluctuations in future foreign exchange rates. The Fund will conduct its
foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at
the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A
forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific
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. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted
directly between currency traders and their customers. Such forward contracts
will be entered into only with United States banks and their foreign
branches, insurance companies and other dealers whose assets total $1 billion
or more, or foreign banks whose assets total $1 billion or more. A forward
contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged
at any stage for trades.
When the Fund's Investment Manager believes that the currency of a
particular foreign country may experience a substantial movement against the
U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to purchase or 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 portfolio securities
denominated in such foreign currency. The Fund will also not enter into such
forward contracts or maintain a net exposure to such contracts where the
consummation of the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of
foreign currency in excess of the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or
other assets denominated in that currency. Under normal circumstances,
consideration of the prospect for currency parities will be incorporated into
the longer term investment decisions made with regard to overall
diversification strategies. However, the management of the Fund believes that
it is important to have the flexibility to enter into such forward contracts
when it determines that the best interests of the Fund will be served. The
Fund's custodian bank will place cash, U.S. Government securities or other
appropriate liquid portfolio securities in a segregated account of the Fund
in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total assets committed to the
consummation of forward contract entered into under the circumstances set
forth above. If the value of the securities placed in the segregated account
declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account on a
daily basis so that the value of the account will equal the amount of the
Fund's commitments with respect to such contracts.
15
<PAGE>
Where, for example, the Fund is hedging a portfolio position consisting of
foreign fixed-income securities denominated in a foreign currency against
adverse exchange rate moves vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar, at the maturity of the
forward contract for delivery by the Fund of a foreign currency, the Fund may
either sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency,
or it may retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to
deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an "offsetting" contract with the
same currency trader obligating it to purchase, the same amount of the
foreign currency. It is impossible to forecast the market value of portfolio
securities at the expiration of the contract. Accordingly, it may be
necessary for the Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot
market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the
security is less than the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to
deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security and make delivery of
the foreign currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot
market some of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio
securities if its market value exceeds the amount of foreign currency the
Fund is obligated to deliver.
If the Fund retains the portfolio securities and engages in an offsetting
transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or loss to the extent that there has
been movement in spot or forward contract prices. If the Fund engages in an
offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward contract
to sell the foreign currency. Should forward prices decline during the period
between the Fund's entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign
currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase
of the foreign currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent the price
of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it
has agreed to purchase. Should forward prices increase, the Fund will suffer
a loss to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase
exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to sell.
If the Fund purchases a fixed-income security which is denominated in U.S.
dollars but which will pay out its principal based upon a formula tied to the
exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency, it may hedge
against a decline in the principal value of the security by entering into a
forward contract to sell or purchase an amount of the relevant foreign
currency equal to some or all of the principal value of the security.
At times when the Fund has written a call or put option on a fixed-income
security or the currency in which it is denominated, it may wish to enter
into a forward contract to purchase or sell the foreign currency in which the
security is denominated. A forward contract would, for example, hedge the
risk of the security on which a call currency option has been written
declining in value to a greater extent than the value of the premium received
for the option. The Fund will maintain with its Custodian at all times, cash,
U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities in a
segregated account equal in value to all forward contract obligations and
option contract obligations entered into in hedge situations such as this.
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S.
dollars on a daily basis. It will, however, do so from time to time, and
investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although
foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize
a profit based on the spread between the prices at which they are buying and
selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign
currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange
should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may write covered call options against securities held in its
portfolio and covered put options on eligible portfolio securities and stock
indexes and purchase options of the same series to effect closing
transactions, and may hedge against potential changes in the market value of
investments (or anticipated investments) by purchasing put and call options
on portfolio (or eligible portfolio) securities and engaging in transactions
involving futures contracts and options on such contracts. Call and put
options on U.S. Treasury notes, bonds and bills and equity securities are
listed on Exchanges and are written in over-the-counter transactions ("OTC
options"). Listed options are issued by the Options Clearing Corporation
("OCC"). Ownership of a listed call option gives the Fund the right to buy
from the OCC the underlying security covered by the option at the stated
exercise price (the price per unit of the underlying security) by filing an
exercise notice prior to the expiration date of the option. The writer
(seller) of the option would then have the obligation to sell to the OCC the
underlying security at that exercise price prior to the expiration date of
the option,
16
<PAGE>
regardless of its then current market price. Ownership of a listed put option
would give the Fund the right to sell the underlying security to the OCC at
the stated exercise price. Upon notice of exercise of the put option, the
writer of the put would have the obligation to purchase the underlying
security from the OCC at the exercise price. The Fund will not write
uncovered options.
Options on Treasury Bonds and Notes. Because trading in options written on
Treasury bonds and notes tends to center on the most recently auctioned
issues, the exchanges on which such securities trade will not continue
indefinitely to introduce options with new expirations to replace expiring
options on particular issues. Instead, the expirations introduced at the
commencement of options trading on a particular issue will be allowed to run
their course, with the possible addition of a limited number of new
expirations as the original ones expire. Options trading on each issue of
bonds or notes will thus be phased out as new options are listed on more
recent issues, and options representing a full range of expirations will not
ordinarily be available for every issue on which options are traded.
Options on Treasury Bills. Because a deliverable Treasury bill changes
from week to week, writers of Treasury bill calls cannot provide in advance
for their potential exercise settlement obligations by acquiring and holding
the underlying security. However, if the Fund holds a long position in
Treasury bills with a principal amount of the securities deliverable upon
exercise of the option, the position may be hedged from a risk standpoint by
the writing of a call option. For so long as the call option is outstanding,
the Fund will hold the Treasury bills in a segregated account with its
Custodian, so that they will be treated as being covered.
OTC Options. Exchange-listed options are issued by the OCC which assures
that all transactions in such options are properly executed. OTC options are
purchased from or sold (written) to dealers or financial institutions which
have entered into direct agreements with the Fund. With OTC options, such
variables as expiration date, exercise price and premium will be agreed upon
between the Fund and the transacting dealer, without the intermediation of a
third party such as the OCC. If the transacting dealer fails to make or take
delivery of the securities underlying an option it has written, in accordance
with the terms of that option, the Fund would lose the premium paid for the
option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. The Fund will
engage in OTC option transactions only with primary U.S. Government
securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Covered Call Writing. The Fund is permitted to write covered call options
on portfolio securities in order to aid in achieving its investment
objective. Generally, a call option is "covered" if the Fund owns, or has the
right to acquire, without additional cash consideration (or for additional
cash consideration held for the Fund by its Custodian in a segregated
account) the underlying security subject to the option except that in the
case of call options on U.S. Treasury Bills, the Fund might own U.S. Treasury
Bills of a different series from those underlying the call option, but with a
principal amount and value corresponding to the exercise price and a maturity
date not later than that of the securities deliverable under the call option.
A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security
as the underlying security of the written option, where the exercise price of
the call used for coverage is equal to or less than the exercise price of the
call written or greater than the exercise price of the call written if the
mark to market difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government
securities or other liquid portfolio securities which the Fund holds in a
segregated account maintained with its Custodian.
The Fund will receive from the purchaser, in return for a call it has
written, a "premium"; i.e., the price of the option. Receipt of these
premiums may better enable the Fund to achieve a greater total return than
would be realized from holding the underlying securities alone. Moreover, the
premium received will offset a portion of the potential loss incurred by the
Fund if the securities underlying the option are ultimately sold by the Fund
at a loss. The premium received will fluctuate with varying economic market
conditions. If the market value of the portfolio securities upon which call
options have been written increases, the Fund may receive less total return
from the portion of its portfolio upon which calls have been written than it
would have had such call not been written.
During the option period, the Fund may be required, at any time, to
deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price on any
calls it has written (exercise of certain listed options may be limited to
specific expiration dates). This obligation is terminated upon the expiration
of the option period or at such
17
<PAGE>
earlier time when the writer effects a closing purchase transaction. A
closing purchase transaction is accomplished by purchasing an option of the
same series as the option previously written. However, once the Fund has been
assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a closing
purchase transaction.
Closing purchase transactions are ordinarily effected to realize a profit
on an outstanding call option to prevent an underlying security from being
called, to permit the sale of an underlying security or to enable the Fund to
write another call option on the underlying security with either a different
exercise price or expiration date or both. Also, effecting a closing purchase
transaction will permit the cash or proceeds from the concurrent sale of any
securities subject to the option to be used for other investments by the
Fund. The Fund may realize a net gain or loss from a closing purchase
transaction depending upon whether the amount of the premium received on the
call option is more or less than the cost of effecting the closing purchase
transaction. Any loss incurred in a closing purchase transaction may be
wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation in the market value of
the underlying security. Conversely, a gain resulting from a closing purchase
transaction could be offset in whole or in part or exceeded by a decline in
the market value of the underlying security.
If a call option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain in the
amount of the premium on the option less the commission paid. Such a gain,
however, may be offset by depreciation in the market value of the underlying
security during the option period. If a call option is exercised, the Fund
realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security equal to the
difference between the purchase price of the underlying security and the
proceeds of the sale of the security plus the premium received on the option
less the commission paid.
Options written by a Fund normally have expiration dates of from up to
nine months (equity securities) to eighteen months (fixed-income securities)
from the date written. The exercise price of a call option may be below,
equal to or above the current market value of the underlying security at the
time the option is written. See "Risks of Options and Futures Transactions,"
below.
Covered Put Writing. As a writer of a covered put option, the Fund incurs
an obligation to buy the security underlying the option from the purchaser of
the put, at the option's exercise price at any time during the option period,
at the purchaser's election (certain listed put options written by the Fund
will be exercisable by the purchaser only on a specific date). A put is
"covered" if, at all times, the Fund maintains, in a segregated account
maintained on its behalf at the Fund's Custodian, cash, U.S. Government
securities or other high grade debt obligations in an amount equal to at
least the exercise price of the option, at all times, during the option
period. Similary, a short put position could be covered by the Fund by its
purchase of a put option on the same security as the underlying security of
the written option, where the exercise price of the purchased option is equal
to or more than the exercise price of the put written or less than the
exercise price of the put written if the mark to market difference is
maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid
portfolio securities which the Fund holds in a segregated account maintained
at its Custodian. In writing puts, the Fund assumes the risk of loss should
the market value of the underlying security decline below the exercise price
of the option (any loss being decreased by the receipt of the premium on the
option written). During the option period, the Fund may be required, at any
time, to make payment of the exercise price against delivery of the
underlying security. The operation of and limitations on covered put options
in other respects are substantially identical to those of call options.
The Fund will write put options for two purposes: (1) to receive the
income derived from the premiums paid by purchasers; and (2) when the
Investment Manager wishes to purchase the security underlying the option at a
price lower than its current market price, in which case it will write the
covered put at an exercise price reflecting the lower purchase price sought.
The potential gain on a covered put option is limited to the premium received
on the option (less the commissions paid on the transaction) while the
potential loss equals the difference between the exercise price of the option
and the current market price of the underlying securities when the put is
exercised, offset by the premium received (less the commissions paid on the
transaction).
Purchasing Call and Put Options. As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may
purchase listed and OTC call and put options on securities and stock indexes
in amounts equalling up to 10% of its total assets, with a maximum of 5% of
the Fund's assets invested in stock index options. The Fund may purchase call
options only in order to close out a covered call position (see "Covered Call
Writing" above). The purchase of a call option to effect a closing
transaction on a call written over-the-counter may be a listed or OTC option.
In either case, the call purchased is likely to be on the same securities and
have the same terms as the written option. If purchased over-the-counter, the
option would generally be acquired from the dealer or financial institution
which purchased the call written by the Fund.
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The Fund may purchase put options on securities which it holds (or has the
right to acquire) in its portfolio only to protect itself against a decline
in the value of the security. If the value of the underlying security were to
fall below the exercise price of the put purchased in an amount greater than
the premium paid for the option, the Fund would incur no additional loss. The
Fund may also purchase put options to close out written put positions in a
manner similar to call options closing purchase transactions. In addition,
the Fund may sell a put option which it has previously purchased prior to the
sale of the securities underlying such option. Such a sale would result in a
net gain or loss depending on whether the amount received on the sale is more
or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put option
which is sold. And such gain or loss could be offset in whole or in part by a
change in the market value of the underlying security. If a put option
purchased by the Fund expired without being sold or exercised, the premium
would be lost.
Risks of Options Transactions. During the option period, the covered call
writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity
for capital appreciation above the exercise price should the market price of
the underlying security increase, but has retained the risk of loss should
the price of the underlying security decline. The secured put writer also
retains the risk of loss should the market value of the underlying security
decline below the exercise price of the option less the premium received on
the sale of the option. In both cases, the writer has no control over the
time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the
option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot
effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation
under the option and must deliver or receive the underlying securities at the
exercise price.
Prior to exercise or expiration, an option position can only be terminated
by entering into a closing purchase or sale transaction. If a covered call
option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, it cannot
sell the underlying security until the option expires or the option is
exercised. Accordingly, a covered call option writer may not be able to sell
an underlying security at a time when it might otherwise be advantageous to
do so. A secured put option writer who is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction would continue to bear the risk of decline in the market price of
the underlying security until the option expires or is exercised. In
addition, a secured put writer would be unable to utilize the amount held in
cash or U.S. government or other liquid portfolio securities as security for
the put option for other investment purposes until the exercise or expiration
of the option.
The Fund's ability to close out its position as a writer of an option is
dependent upon the existence of a liquid secondary market on Option
Exchanges. There is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly
in the case of OTC options. However, the Fund may be able to purchase an
offsetting option which does not close out its position as a writer but
constitutes an asset of equal value to the obligation under the option
written. If the Fund is not able to either enter into a closing purchase
transaction or purchase an offsetting position, it will be required to
maintain the securities subject to the call, or the collateral underlying the
put, even though it might not be advantageous to do so, until a closing
transaction can be entered into (or the option is exercised or expires).
Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on
an Exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii)
restrictions on transactions imposed by an Exchange; (iii) trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes
or series of options or underlying securities; (iv) interruption of the
normal operations on an Exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an
Exchange or the OCC to handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by
one or more Exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular
class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that
Exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist,
although outstanding options on that Exchange that had been issued by the OCC
as a result of trades on that Exchange would generally continue to be
excerisable in accordance with their terms.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages
in transactions in options, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in
liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur
a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker. Similarly, in
the event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC option purchased by the
Fund, the Fund could experience a loss of all or part of the value of the
option. Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers or
financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Investment Manager.
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Each of the Exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum
number of call or put options on the same underlying security or futures
contract (whether or not covered) which may be written by a single investor,
whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such
options are written on the same or different Exchanges or are held or written
on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). An Exchange may
order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits
and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions. These position limits may
restrict the number of listed options which the Fund may write.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets
close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be
reflected in the option markets.
Stock Index Options. Options on stock indexes are similar to options on
stock except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of stock at
a specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the right to
receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level
of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the
case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the
option. This amount of cash is equal to such difference between the closing
price of the index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars
times a specified multiple (the "multiplier"). The multiplier for an index
option performs a function similar to the unit of trading for a stock option.
It determines the total dollar value per contract of each point in the
difference between the exercise price of an option and the current level of
the underlying index. A multiplier of 100 means that a one-point difference
will yield $100. Options on different indexes may have different multipliers.
The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to
make delivery of this amount. Unlike stock options, all settlements are in
cash and a gain or loss depends on price movements in the stock market
generally (or in a particular segment of the market) rather than the price
movements in individual stocks. Currently, options are traded on the S&P 100
Index and the S&P 500 Index on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the Major
Market Index and the Computer Technology Index, Oil Index and Institutional
Index on the American Stock Exchange and the NYSE Index and NYSE Beta Index
on the New York Stock Exchange, The Financial News Composite Index on the
Pacific Stock Exchange and the Value Line Index, National O-T-C Index and
Utilities Index on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, each of which and any
similar index on which options are traded in the future which include stocks
that are not limited to any particular industry or segment of the market is
referred to as a "broadly based stock market index." The Fund will invest
only in broadly based indexes. Options on broad-based stock indexes provide
the Fund with a means of protecting the Fund against the risk of market wide
price movements. If the Investment Manager anticipates a market decline, the
Fund could purchase a stock index put option. If the expected market decline
materialized, the resulting decrease in the value of the Fund's portfolio
would be offset to the extent of the increase in the value of the put option.
If the Investment Manager anticipates a market rise, the Fund may purchase a
stock index call option to enable the Fund to participate in such rise until
completion of anticipated common stock purchases by the Fund. Purchases and
sales of stock index options also enable the Investment Manager to more
speedily achieve changes in the Fund's equity positions.
The Fund will write put options on stock indexes only if such positions
are covered by cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid portfolio
securities equal to the aggregate exercise price of the puts, or by a put
option on the same stock index with a strike price no lower than the strike
price of the put option sold by the Fund, which cover is held for the Fund in
a segregated account maintained for it by the Fund's Custodian. All call
options on stock indexes written by the Fund will be covered either by a
portfolio of stocks substantially replicating the movement of the index
underlying the call option or by holding a separate call option on the same
stock index with a strike price no higher than the strike price of the call
option sold by the Fund.
Risks of Options on Indexes. Because exercises of stock index options are
settled in cash, call writers such as the Fund cannot provide in advance for
their potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the
underlying securities. A call writer can offset some of the risk of its
writing position by holding a diversified portfolio of stocks similar to
those on which the underlying index is based. However, most investors cannot,
as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the
same stocks as the underlying index, and, as a result, bear a risk that the
value of the securities held will vary from the value of the index. Even if
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an index call writer could assemble a stock portfolio that exactly reproduced
the composition of the underlying index, the writer still would not be fully
covered from a risk standpoint because of the "timing risk" inherent in
writing index options. When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash
that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference
between the exercise price and the closing index level on the date when the
option is exercised. As with other kinds of options, the writer will not
learn that it had been assigned until the next business day, at the earliest.
The time lag between exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the
writer of a covered call on a specific underlying security, such as a common
stock, because there the writer's obligation is to deliver the underlying
security, not to pay its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the
writer already owns the underlying security, it can satisfy its settlement
obligations by simply delivering it, and the risk that its value may have
declined since the exercise date is borne by the exercising holder. In
contrast, even if the writer of an index call holds stocks that exactly match
the composition of the underlying index, it will not be able to satisfy its
assignment obligations by delivering those stocks against payment of the
exercise price. Instead, it will be required to pay cash in an amount based
on the closing index value on the exercise date; and by the time it learns
that it has been assigned, the index may have declined, with a corresponding
decrease in the value of its stock portfolio. This "timing risk" is an
inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to cover their risk
exposure by holding stock positions.
A holder of an index option who exercises it before the closing index
value for that day is available runs the risk that the level of the
underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the
exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the exercising holder will be
required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the
exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the
assigned writer.
If dissemination of the current level of an underlying index is
interrupted, or if trading is interrupted in stocks accounting for a
substantial portion of the value of an index, the trading of options on that
index will ordinarily be halted. If the trading of options on an underlying
index is halted, an exchange may impose restrictions prohibiting the exercise
of such options.
Futures Contracts. As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may purchase and
sell interest rate and stock index futures contracts ("futures contracts")
that are traded on U.S. commodity exchanges on such underlying securities as
U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, bills and GNMA Certificates ("interest rate"
futures) and such indexes as the S&P 500 Index, the Moody's Investment-Grade
Corporate Bond Index and the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index ("index"
futures).
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 will purchase or sell interest rate futures contracts and bond
index futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its fixed-income portfolio
(or anticipated portfolio) securities against changes in prevailing interest
rates. If the Investment Manager anticipates that interest rates may rise
and, concomitantly, the price of fixed-income securities falls, the Fund may
sell an interest rate futures contract or a bond index futures contract. If
declining interest rates are anticipated, the Fund may purchase an interest
rate futures contract to protect against a potential increase in the price of
U.S. Government securities the Fund intends to purchase. Subsequently,
appropriate fixed-income securities may be purchased by the Fund in an
orderly fashion; as securities are purchased, corresponding futures positions
would be terminated by offsetting sales of contracts.
The Fund will purchase or sell stock index futures contracts for the
purpose of hedging its equity portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities
against changes in their prices. If the Investment Manager anticipates that
the prices of stock held by the Fund may fall, the Fund may sell a stock
index futures contract. Conversely, if the Investment Manager wishes to hedge
against anticipated price rises in those stocks which the Fund intends to
purchase, the Fund may purchase stock index futures contracts. In addition,
interest rate and stock index futures contracts will be bought or sold in
order to close out a short or long position in a corresponding futures
contract.
Although most interest rate futures contracts call for actual delivery or
acceptance of securities, the contracts usually are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. Stock
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index futures contracts provide for the delivery of an amount of cash equal
to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the stock index
value at the open or close of the last trading day of the contract and the
futures contract price. A futures contract sale is closed out by effecting a
futures contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the specific type
of equity security and the same delivery date. If the sales price exceeds the
offsetting purchase price, the seller would be paid the difference and would
realize a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the
seller would pay the difference and would realize a loss. Similarly, a
futures contract purchase is closed out by effecting a futures contract sale
for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of security and the same
delivery date. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the
purchaser would realize a gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the
offsetting sale price, the purchaser would realize a loss. There is no
assurance that the Fund will be able to enter into a closing transaction.
Interest Rate Futures Contracts. When the Fund enters into an interest
rate futures contract, it is initially required to deposit with the Fund's
Custodian, in a segregated account in the name of the broker performing the
transaction, an "initial margin" of cash or U.S. Government securities or
other liquid portfolio securities equal to approximately 2% of the contract
amount. Initial margin requirements are established by the Exchanges on which
futures contracts trade and may, from time to time, change. In addition,
brokers may establish margin deposit requirements in excess of those required
by the Exchanges.
Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in
securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing
of funds by a broker's client but is, rather, a good faith deposit on the
futures contract which will be returned to the Fund upon the proper
termination of the futures contract. The margin deposits made are marked to
market daily and the Fund may be required to make subsequent deposits of cash
or U.S. Government securities called "variation margin", with the Fund's
futures contract clearing broker, which are reflective of price fluctuations
in the futures contract. Currently, interest rate futures contracts can be
purchased on debt securities such as U.S. Treasury Bills and Bonds, U.S.
Treasury Notes with Maturities between 6 1/2 and 10 years, GNMA Certificates
and Bank Certificates of Deposit.
Index Futures Contracts. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may
invest in index futures contracts. An index futures contract sale creates an
obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver cash at a specified future
time. An index futures contract purchase would create an obligation by the
Fund, as purchaser, to take delivery of cash at a specified future time.
Futures contracts on indexes do not require the physical delivery of
securities, but provide for a final cash settlement on the expiration date
which reflects accumulated profits and losses credited or debited to each
party's account.
The Fund is required to maintain margin deposits with brokerage firms
through which it effects index futures contracts in a manner similar to that
described above for interest rate futures contracts. Currently, the initial
margin requirements range from 3% to 10% of the contract amount for index
futures. In addition, due to current industry practice, daily variations in
gains and losses on open contracts are required to be reflected in cash in
the form of variation margin payments. The Fund may be required to make
additional margin payments during the term of the contract.
At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may
elect to close the position by taking an opposite position which will operate
to terminate the Fund's position in the futures contract. A final
determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required
to be paid by or released to the Fund and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain.
Currently, index futures contracts can be purchased or sold with respect
to, among others, the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Price Index and the
Standard & Poor's 100 Stock Price Index on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange,
the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index on the New York Futures Exchange,
the Major Market Index on the American Stock Exchange, the Value Line Stock
Index on the Kansas City Board of Trade and the Moody's Investment-Grade
Corporate Bond Index on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and write call and put
options on futures contracts and enter into closing transactions with respect
to such options to terminate an existing position. An option on a futures
contract gives the purchaser the right (in return for the premium paid), and
the writer the obligation, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long
position if the option is a call and a short position
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if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the
term of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures
position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option is
accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures
margin account, which represents the amount by which the market price of the
futures contract at the time of exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or
is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the
futures contract.
The Fund will purchase and write options on futures contracts for
identical purposes to those set forth above for the purchase of a futures
contract (purchase of a call option or sale of a put option) and the sale of
a futures contract (purchase of a put option or sale of a call option), or to
close out a long or short position in futures contracts. If, for example, the
Investment Manager wished to protect against an increase in interest rates
and the resulting negative impact on the value of a portion of its
fixed-income portfolio, it might write a call option on an interest rate
futures contract, the underlying security of which correlates with the
portion of the portfolio the Investment Manager seeks to hedge. Any premiums
received in the writing of options on futures contracts may, of course,
augment the total return of the Fund and thereby provide a further hedge
against losses resulting from price declines in portions of the Fund's
portfolio.
The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit
initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those
applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an
option on a futures contract are included in initial margin deposits.
Limitations on Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund may not
enter into futures contracts or purchase related options thereon if,
immediately thereafter, the amount committed to margin plus the amount paid
for premiums for unexpired options on futures contracts exceeds 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets, after taking into account unrealized gains
and unrealized losses on such contracts it has entered into, provided,
however, that in the case of an option that is in-the-money (the exercise
price of the call (put) option is less (more) than the market price of the
underlying security) at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be
excluded in calculating the 5%. However, there is no overall limitation on
the percentage of the Fund's assets which may be subject to a hedge position.
In addition, in accordance with the regulations of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC") under which the Fund is exempted from
registration as a commodity pool operator, the Fund may only enter into
futures contracts and options on futures contracts transactions for purposes
of hedging a part or all of its portfolio. If the CFTC changes its
regulations so that the Fund would be permitted to write options on futures
contracts for purposes other than hedging the Fund's investments without CFTC
registration, the Fund may engage in such transactions for those purposes.
Except as described above, there are no other limitations on the use of
futures and options thereon by the Fund. With respect to futures and options
on futures contracts, segregated accounts will be maintained consisting of
cash or other liquid portfolio securities with a value (marked to market
daily) equal to the dollar amount of the Fund's purchase or sale obligation
under such contracts.
Risks of Transactions in Futures Contracts and Related Options. The Fund
may sell a futures contract to protect against the decline in the value of
securities held by the Fund. However, it is possible that the futures market
may advance and the value of securities held in the portfolio of the Fund may
decline. If this occurred, the Fund would lose money on the futures contract
and also experience a decline in value of its portfolio securities. However,
while this could occur for a very brief period or to a very small degree,
over time the value of a diversified portfolio will tend to move in the same
direction as the futures contracts.
If the Fund purchases a futures contract to hedge against the increase in
value of securities it intends to buy, and the value of such securities
decreases, then the Investment Manager may determine not to invest in the
securities as planned and will realize a loss on the futures contract that is
not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities.
If the Fund maintains a short position in a futures contract or has sold a
call option in a futures contract, it will cover this position by holding, in
a segregated account maintained at its Custodian, cash, U.S. Government
securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal in value (when added to
any initial or variation margin on deposit) to the market value of the
securities underlying the futures contract or the exercise price of the
option. Such a position may also be covered by owning the securities
underlying the futures contract (in the case of a stock index futures
contract a portfolio of securities substantially replicating the relevant
index), or by holding a call option permitting the Fund to purchase the same
contract at a price no higher than the price at which the short position was
established.
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In addition, if the Fund holds a long position in a futures contract or
has sold a put option on a futures contract, it will hold cash, U.S.
Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal to the
purchase price of the contract or the exercise price of the put option (less
the amount of initial or variation margin on deposit) in a segregated account
maintained for the Fund by its Custodian. Alternatively, the Fund could cover
its long position by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract
with an exercise price as high or higher than the price of the contract held
by the Fund.
Exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may
move on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days,
then it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily
limit moves have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund
would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin
on open futures positions. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient
cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin
requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition,
the Fund may be required to take or make delivery of the instruments
underlying interest rate futures contracts it holds at a time when it is
disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out options and futures
positions could also have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to
effectively hedge its portfolio.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages
in transactions in futures or options thereon, the Fund could experience
delays and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through
the broker and/or incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the
broker. Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers or
financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Investment Manager.
There may exist an imperfect correlation between the price movements of
futures contracts purchased by the Fund and the movements in the prices of
the securities which are the subject of the hedge. If participants in the
futures market elect to close out their contracts through offsetting
transactions rather than meet margin deposit requirements, distortions in the
normal relationship between the securities and futures markets could result.
Price distortions could also result if investors in futures contracts opt to
make or take delivery of underlying securities rather than engage in closing
transactions due to the resultant reduction in the liquidity of the futures
market. In addition, due to the fact that, from the point of view of
speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures markets are less onerous
than margin requirements in the cash market, increased participation by
speculators in the futures market could cause temporary price distortions.
Due to the possibility of price distortions in the futures market and because
of the imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of securities
and movements in the prices of futures contracts, a correct forecast of stock
price or interest rate trends by the Investment Manager may still not result
in a successful hedging transaction.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
futures contracts and related options in which the Fund may invest. In the
event a liquid market does not exist, it may not be possible to close out a
futures position and, in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would
continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In
addition, limitations imposed by an exchange or board of trade on which
futures contracts are traded may compel or prevent the Fund from closing out
a contract which may result in reduced gain or increased loss to the Fund.
The absence of a liquid market in futures contracts might cause the Fund to
make or take delivery of the underlying securities at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.
Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of
call or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the
Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options
(plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the
purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss
to the Fund notwithstanding that the purchase or sale of a futures contract
would not result in a loss, as in the instance where there is no movement in
the prices of the futures contract or underlying securities.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
It is anticipated that the Fund's portfolio turnover rate generally will
not exceed 300%. A 300% turnover rate would occur, for example, if 300% of
the securities held in the Fund's portfolio (excluding all securities
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whose maturities at acquisition were one year or less) were sold and replaced
within one year. For the fiscal period November 28, 1995 through March 31,
1996 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Fund's portfolio
turnover rate was 8% and 132%, respectively.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
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In addition to the investment restrictions enumerated in the Prospectus,
the investment restrictions listed below have been adopted by the Fund as
fundamental policies, except as otherwise indicated. Under the Act, a
fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Act. Such a
majority is defined as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares present at
a meeting of shareholders, if the holders of 50% of the outstanding shares of
the Fund are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund.
The Fund may not:
1. Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein (including limited
partnership interests), although the Fund may purchase securities of
issuers which engage in real estate operations and securities secured by
real estate or interests therein.
2. Purchase oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or royalty
contracts or exploration or development programs, except that the Fund
may invest in the securities of companies which operate, invest in, or
sponsor such programs.
3. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of
assets or, in accordance with the provisions of Section 12(d) of the Act
and any Rules promulgated thereunder.
4. Borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow from a bank for
temporary or emergency purposes in amounts not exceeding 5% (taken at the
lower of cost or current value) of its total assets (not including the
amount borrowed).
5. Pledge its assets or assign or otherwise encumber them except to
secure borrowings effected within the limitations set forth in
restriction (4). For the purpose of this restriction, collateral
arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for futures are
not deemed to be pledges of assets.
6. Issue senior securities as defined in the Act except insofar as the
Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security by reason of (a)
entering into any repurchase agreement; (b) purchasing any securities on
a when-issued or delayed delivery basis; (c) purchasing or selling any
financial futures contracts; (d) borrowing money in accordance with
restrictions described above; or (e) lending portfolio securities.
7. Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of
portfolio securities in which the Fund may invest consistent with its
investment objective and policies; (b) by investment in repurchase
agreements; or (c) by lending its portfolio securities.
8. Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts except that the
Fund may purchase or sell financial or stock index futures contracts or
options thereon.
9. Make short sales of securities.
10. Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term loans as
are necessary for the clearance of portfolio securities. The deposit or
payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with
futures contracts is not considered the purchase of a security on margin.
11. Engage in the underwriting of securities, except insofar as the Fund
may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in
disposing of a portfolio security.
12. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of any
other issuer.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of total or net assets will not be considered
a violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.
25
<PAGE>
As a non-fundamental policy, the Fund may not invest in other investment
companies in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F), 12(d)(1)(G) or 12(d)(1)(J) of
the Act.
Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction, the Fund may
seek to achieve its investment objective by investing all or substantially
all of its assets in another investment company having substantially the same
investment objective as the Fund.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
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Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees, the Investment Manager
is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, the
selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions, and the
negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of
securities on a stock exchange are effected through brokers who charge a
commission for their services. In the over-the-counter market, securities are
generally traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their
own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security
usually includes a profit to the dealer. In addition, securities may be
purchased at times in underwritten offerings where the price includes a fixed
amount of compensation, generally referred to as the underwriter's concession
or discount. Futures transactions will usually be effected through a broker
and a commission will be charged. On occasion, the Fund may also purchase
certain money market instruments directly from an issuer, in which case no
commissions or discounts are paid. For the fiscal period November 28, 1995
through March 31, 1996 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Fund
paid brokerage commissions in the amount of $212,600 and $506,740,
respectively.
The Investment Manager currently serves as investment manager to a number
of clients, including other investment companies, and may in the future act
as investment manager to others. It is the practice of the Investment Manager
to cause purchase and sale transactions to be allocated among the Fund and
others whose assets it manages in such manner as it deems equitable. In
making such allocations among the Fund and other client accounts, various
factors may be considered including the respective investment objectives, the
relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the
availability of cash for investment, the size of investments generally held
and the opinions of the persons responsible for managing the portfolios of
the Fund and other client accounts. In the case of certain initial and
secondary public offerings, the Investment Manager may utilize a pro-rata
allocation process based on the size of the Dean Witter Funds involved and
the number of shares available from the public offering.
The policy of the Fund regarding purchases and sales of securities for its
portfolio is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most
favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with
this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange,
the Fund's policy is to pay commissions which are considered fair and
reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible
commissions are paid in all circumstances. The Fund believes that a
requirement always to seek the lowest possible commission cost could impede
effective portfolio management and preclude the Fund and the Investment
Manager from obtaining a high quality of brokerage and research services. In
seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any
transaction, the Investment Manager relies upon its experience and knowledge
regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its
judgment in evaluating the brokerage and research services received from the
broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily
subjective and imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those
services is not ascertainable.
In seeking to implement the Fund's policies, the Investment Manager
effects transactions with those brokers and dealers who the Investment
Manager believes provide the most favorable prices and are capable of
providing efficient executions. If the Investment Manager believes such
prices and executions are obtainable from more than one broker or dealer, it
may give consideration to placing portfolio transactions with those brokers
and dealers who also furnish research and other services to the Fund or the
Investment Manager. Such services may include, but are not limited to, any
one or more of the following: reports on industries and companies, economic
analyses and review of business conditions, portfolio strategy, analytic
computer software, account performance services, computer terminals and
various trading and/or quotation
26
<PAGE>
equipment. They also include advice from broker-dealers as to the value of
securities, availability of securities, availability of buyers, and
availability of sellers. In addition, they include recommendations as to
purchase and sale of individual securities and timing of such transactions.
The Fund will not purchase at a higher price or sell at a lower price in
connection with transactions effected with a dealer, acting as principal, who
furnishes research services to the Fund than would be the case if no weight
were given by the Fund to the dealer's furnishing of such services. During
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Fund directed the payment of
$385,208 in brokerage commissions in connection with transactions in the
aggregate amount of $167,148,188 to brokers because of research services
provided.
The information and services received by the Investment Manager from
brokers and dealers may be of benefit to the Investment Manager in the
management of accounts of some of its other clients and may not in all cases
benefit the Fund directly. While the receipt of such information and services
is useful in varying degrees and would generally reduce the amount of
research or services otherwise performed by the Investment Manager and
thereby reduce its expenses, it is of indeterminable value and the advisory
fee paid to the Investment Manager is not reduced by any amount that may be
attributable to the value of such services.
Consistent with the policy described above, brokerage transactions in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may
be effected through DWR and other affiliated brokers and dealers. In order
for an affiliated broker or dealer to effect any portfolio transactions for
the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by the
affiliated broker or dealer must be reasonable and fair compared to the
commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to other brokers in connection
with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or
sold on an exchange during a comparable period of time. This standard would
allow the affiliated broker or dealer to receive no more than the
remuneration which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker
in a commensurate arm's-length transaction. Furthermore, the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested" persons of the Fund, as defined in the Act, have adopted
procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions,
fees or other remuneration paid to an affiliated broker or dealer are
consistent with the foregoing standard. The Fund does not reduce the
management fee it pays to the Investment Manager by any amount of the
brokerage commissions it may pay to an affiliated broker or dealer.
During the fiscal period November 28, 1995 through March 31, 1996 and
during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Fund paid a total of $49,550
and $73,538, respectively, in brokerage commissions to DWR. The Fund does not
reduce the management fee it pays to the Investment Manager by any amount of
the brokerage commissions it may pay to DWR. During the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1997, the brokerage commissions paid to DWR represented
approximately 14.91% of the total brokerage commissions paid by the Fund
during the year and were paid on account of transactions having an aggregate
dollar value equal to approximately 19.5% of the aggregate dollar value of
all portfolio transactions of the Fund during the year for which commissions
were paid.
THE DISTRIBUTOR
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, shares of the Fund are distributed by Dean
Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor has entered
into a selected dealer agreement with DWR, which through its own sales
organization sells shares of the Fund. In addition, the Distributor may enter
into selected dealer agreements with other selected broker-dealers. The
Distributor, a Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSDWD.
The Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Independent Trustees,
approved, at their meeting held on June 30, 1997, a Distribution Agreement
appointing the Distributor as exclusive distributor of the Fund's shares and
providing for the Distributor to bear distribution expenses not borne by the
Fund. By its terms, the Distribution Agreement has an initial term ending
April 30, 1998, and provides that it will remain in effect from year to year
thereafter if approved by the Board.
The Distributor bears all expenses it may incur in providing services
under the Distribution Agreement. Such expenses include the payment of
commissions for sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to
account executives. The Distributor also pays certain expenses in connection
with the distribution of the Fund's shares, including the costs of preparing,
printing and distributing advertising or promotional materials, and the costs
of printing and distributing prospectuses and supplements thereto used
27
<PAGE>
in connection with the offering and sale of the Fund's shares. The Fund bears
the costs of initial typesetting, printing and distribution of prospectuses
and supplements thereto to shareholders. The Fund also bears the costs of
registering the Fund and its shares under federal securities laws and pays
filing fees in accordance with state securities laws. The Fund and the
Distributor have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under the
Distribution Agreement, the Distributor uses its best efforts in rendering
services to the Fund, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is
not liable to the Fund or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment
or mistake of law or for any act or omission or for any losses sustained by
the Fund or its shareholders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Act (the "Plan") pursuant to which each Class, other than Class D pays
the Distributor compensation accrued daily and payable monthly at the
following annual rates: 0.25% and 1.0% of the average daily net assets of
Class A and Class C, respectively, and, with respect to Class B, 1.0% of the
lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's Class B
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 Class B shares redeemed since the Fund's
inception upon which a contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or
upon which such charge has been waived; or (b) the average daily net assets
of Class B. The Distributor receives the proceeds of front-end sales charges
and of contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of
shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plan
(see "Purchase of Fund Shares"). The Distributor has informed the Fund that
it and/or DWR received approximately $66,500 and $874,455, respectively, in
contingent deferred sales charges for the fiscal period November 28, 1995
through March 31, 1996 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997.
The Distributor has informed the Fund that the entire fee payable by Class
A and a portion of the fees payable by each of Class B and Class C each year
under the Plan of Distribution, equal to 0.25% of such Class's average daily
net assets, are currently characterized as a "service fee" under the Rules of
the Association of the National Association of Securities Dealers (of which
the Distributor is a member). The "service fee" is payments made for personal
service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The remaining portion
of the Plan fees payable by a Class, if any, are characterized as
"asset-based sales charges" pursuant to the aforementioned Rules of the
Association.
The Plan was adopted by a vote of the Trustees of the Fund on August 24,
1995, at a meeting of the Trustees called for the purpose of voting on such
Plan. The vote included the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund
who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Act) and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan
(the "Independent 12b-1 Trustees"). In making their decision to adopt the
Plan, the Trustees requested from the Distributor and received such
information as they deemed necessary to make an informed determination as to
whether or not adoption of the Plan was in the best interests of the
shareholders of the Fund. After due consideration of the information
received, the Trustees, including the Independent 12b-1 Trustees, determined
that adoption of the Plan would benefit the shareholders of the Fund.
InterCapital, as sole shareholder of the Fund, approved the Plan on September
15, 1995, whereupon the Plan went into effect. At their meeting held on June
30, 1997, the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent 12b-1
Trustees, approved amendments to the Plan to reflect the multiple-class
structure for the Fund, which took effect on July 28, 1997.
Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees receive and
review promptly after the end of each fiscal quarter a written report
provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the
purpose for which such expenditures were made. In the Trustees' quarterly
reviews of the Plan, they will consider its continued appropriateness and the
level of compensation provided therein.
The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund's
method of distribution. Under this distribution method the Fund offers four
Classes of shares; each with a different distribution arrangement as set
forth in the Prospectus.
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<PAGE>
With respect to Class A shares, DWR compensates its account executives by
paying them, from proceeds of the front-end sales charge, commissions for the
sale of Class A shares, currently a gross sales credit of up to 5.0% of the
amount sold (except as provided in the following sentence) and an annual
residual commission, currently a residual of up to 0.25% of the current value
of the respective accounts for which they are the account executives or
dealers of record in all cases. On orders of $1 million or more (for which no
sales charge was paid) or net asset value purchases by 401(k) plans or other
employer-sponsored plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code for which Dean Witter Trust Company ("DWTC") or Dean Witter
Trust FSB ("DWTFSB") serves as Trustee or the 401(k) Support Services Group
of DWR serves as recordkeeper, the Investment Manager compensates DWR's
account executives by paying them, from its own funds, a gross sales credit
of 1.0% of the amount sold.
With respect to Class B shares, DWR compensates its account executives by
paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of Class B shares,
currently a gross sales credit of up to 5.0% of the amount sold (except as
provided in the following sentence) and an annual residual commission,
currently a residual of up to 0.25% of the current value (not including
reinvested dividends or distributions) of the amount sold in all cases. In
the case of retirement plans qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code and other employer-sponsored plans qualified under Section
401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for which DWTC or DWTFSB serves as
Trustee or the 401(k) Support Services Group of DWR serves as recordkeeper,
and which plans are opened on or after July 28, 1997, DWR compensates its
account executives by paying them, from its own funds, a gross sales credit
of 3.0% of the amount sold.
With respect to Class C shares, DWR compensates its account executives by
paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of Class C shares,
currently a gross sales credit of up to 1.0% of the amount sold and an annual
residual commission, currently a residual of up to 1.0% of the current value
of the respective accounts for which they are the account executives of
record.
With respect to Class D shares other than shares held by participants in
the InterCapital mutual fund asset allocation program, the Investment Manager
compensates DWR's account executives by paying them, from its own funds,
commissions for the sale of Class D shares, currently a gross sales credit of
up to 1.0% of the amount sold. There is a chargeback of 100% of the amount
paid if the Class D shares are redeemed in the first year and a chargeback of
50% of the amount paid if the Class D shares are redeemed in the second year
after purchase. The Investment Manager also compensates DWR's account
executives by paying them, from its own funds, an annual residual commission,
currently a residual of up to 0.10% of the current value of the respective
accounts for which they are the account executives of record (not including
accounts of participants in the InterCapital mutual fund asset allocation
program).
The gross sales credit is a charge which reflects commissions paid by DWR
to its account executives and DWR's Fund associated distribution-related
expenses, including sales compensation, and overhead and other branch office
distribution-related expenses including: (a) the expenses of operating DWR's
branch offices in connection with the sale of Fund shares, including lease
costs, the salaries and employee benefits of operations and sales support
personnel, utility costs, communications costs and the costs of stationery
and supplies; (b) the costs of client sales seminars; (c) travel expenses of
mutual fund sales coordinators to promote the sale of Fund shares; and (d)
other expenses relating to branch promotion of Fund share sales. The
distribution fee that the Distributor receives from the Fund under the Plan,
in effect, offsets distribution expenses incurred under the Plan on behalf of
the Fund and, in the case of Class B shares, opportunity costs, such as the
gross sales credit and an assumed interest charge thereon ("carrying
charge"). In the Distributor's reporting of distribution expenses to the
Fund, in the case of Class B shares, such assumed interest (computed at the
"broker's call rate") has been calculated on the gross sales credit as it is
reduced by amounts received by the Distributor under the Plan and any
contingent deferred sales charges received by the Distributor upon redemption
of shares of the Fund. No other interest charge is included as a distribution
expense in the Distributor's calculation of distribution costs for this
purpose. The broker's call rate is the interest rate charged to securities
brokers on loans secured by exchange-listed securities.
The Fund paid 100% of the $2,733,235 accrued under the Plan for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1997 to the Distributor and DWR. The Distributor and DWR
estimate that they have spent, pursuant to the Plan, $17,197,087 on behalf of
the Fund since the inception of the Plan. It is estimated that this amount
was spent
29
<PAGE>
in approximately the following ways: (i) 7.97% ($1,369,961)--advertising and
promotional expenses, (ii) 0.44% ($74,820)--printing of prospectuses for
distribution to other than current shareholders; and (iii) 91.59%
($15,752,306)--other expenses, including the gross sales credit and the
carrying charge, of which 4.53% ($714,256) represents carrying charges,
38.27% ($6,028,754) represents commission credits to DWR branch offices for
payments of commissions to account executives and 57.20% ($9,009,296)
represents overhead and other branch office distribution-related expenses.
These amounts represent amounts paid by Class B only; there were no Class A
or Class C shares outstanding on such date.
The Fund is authorized to reimburse expenses incurred or to be incurred in
promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A and Class C shares and in
servicing shareholder accounts. Reimbursement will be made through payments
at the end of each month. The amount of each monthly payment may in no event
exceed an amount equal to a payment at the annual rate of 0.25%, in the case
of Class A, and 1.0%, in the case of Class C, of the average net assets of
the respective Class during the month. No interest or other financing
charges, if any, incurred on any distribution expenses on behalf of Class A
and Class C will be reimbursable under the Plan. With respect to Class A, in
the case of all expenses other than expenses representing the service fee,
and, with respect to Class C, in the case of all expenses other than expenses
representing a gross sales credit or a residual to account executives, such
amounts shall be determined at the beginning of each calendar quarter by the
Trustees, including, a majority of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees. Expenses
representing the service fee (for Class A) or a gross sales credit or a
residual to account executives (for Class C) may be reimbursed without prior
determination. In the event that the Distributor proposes that monies shall
be reimbursed for other than such expenses, then in making quarterly
determinations of the amounts that may be reimbursed by the Fund, the
Distributor will provide and the Trustees will review a quarterly budget of
projected distribution expenses to be incurred on behalf of the Fund,
together with a report explaining the purposes and anticipated benefits of
incurring such expenses. The Trustees will determine which particular
expenses, and the portions thereof, that may be borne by the Fund, and in
making such a determination shall consider the scope of the Distributor's
commitment to promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A and Class C
shares.
At any given time, the expenses in distributing shares of the Fund may be
more or less than 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 redemption of shares. The Distributor has advised the Fund
that, in the case of Class B shares, such excess amount, including the
carrying charge designed to approximate the opportunity costs incurred by the
Distributor which arise from it having advanced monies without having
received the amount of any sales charges imposed at the time of sale of the
Fund's Class B shares totalled $12,988,417 at March 31, 1997. Because there
is no requirement under the Plan that the Distributor be reimbursed for all
distribution expenses with respect to Class B shares or any requirement that
the Plan be continued from year to year, this excess amount does not
constitute a liability of the Fund. Although there is no legal obligation for
the Fund to pay distribution expenses in excess of payments made 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.
Under the Plan, the Distributor uses its best efforts in rendering
services to the Fund, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is
not liable to the Fund or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment
or mistake of law or for any act or omission or for any losses sustained by
the Fund or its shareholders.
The Plan had an initial term ending April 30, 1996, and will continue in
effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is approved
annually by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent
12b-1 Trustees. Prior to the Board's approval of amendments to the Plan to
reflect the multiple-class structure for the Fund, the Trustees, including a
majority of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees, approved the most recent
continuation of the Plan until April 30, 1998 at their meeting held on April
24, 1997. Prior to approving the continuation of the Plan, the Board
requested and received from the Distributor and reviewed all the information
which it deemed necessary to arrive at an informed determination of whether
or
30
<PAGE>
not the Plan should be continued. In making their determination to continue
the Plan, the Trustees considered: (i) the Fund's experience under the Plan
and whether such experience indicates that the Plan is operating as
anticipated; (2) the benefits the Fund had obtained, was obtaining and would
be likely to obtain under the Plan; and (3) what services had been provided
and were continuing to be provided under the Plan by DWR to the Fund and its
shareholders. Based upon their review, the Trustees of the Fund, including
each of the Independent Trustees, determined that continuation of the Plan
would be in the best interest of the Fund and would have a reasonable
likelihood of continuing to benefit the Fund and its shareholders. In the
Trustees' quarterly review of the Plan, they will consider its continued
appropriateness and the level of compensation provided therein.
No interested person of the Fund, nor any Trustee of the Fund who is not
an interested person of the Fund, as defined in the Act, has any direct or
indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan except to the extent
that DWR, InterCapital, the Distributor or DWSC or certain of their
employees, may be deemed to have such an interest as a result of benefits
derived from the successful operation of the Plan or as a result of receiving
a portion of the amounts expended thereunder by the Fund.
The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent
for the services described therein without approval of the shareholders of
the affected Class or Classes of the Fund, and all material amendments of the
Plan must also be approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. The
Plan may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote
of a majority of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees or by a vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the Act) on not
more than thirty days' written notice to any other party or the Plan. So long
as the Plan is in effect, the election and nomination of Independent Trustees
shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As stated in the Prospectus, short-term securities with remaining
maturities of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at
amortized cost, unless the Trustees determine such does not reflect the
securities' market value, in which case these securities will be valued at
their fair value as determined by the Trustees. Other short-term debt
securities will be valued on a mark-to-market basis until such time as they
reach a remaining maturity of sixty days, whereupon they will be valued at
amortized cost using their value on the 61st day unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees. All other securities and other assets are valued at their fair
value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under
the supervision of the Trustees.
The net asset value per share for each Class of shares 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) The New York Stock Exchange
currently observes the following holidays: New Year's Day, Reverend Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund offers four Classes of shares as
follows:
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS A SHARES
Class A shares are sold to investors with an initial sales charge that
declines to zero for larger purchases; however, Class A shares sold without
an initial sales charge are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
("CDSC") of 1.0% if redeemed within one year of purchase, except in the
circumstances discussed in the Prospectus.
Right of Accumulation. As discussed in the Prospectus, investors may
combine the current value of shares purchased in separate transactions for
purposes of benefiting from the reduced sales charges available for purchases
of shares of the Fund totalling at least $25,000 in net asset value. For
example, if any
31
<PAGE>
person or entity who qualifies for this privilege holds Class A shares of the
Fund and/or other Dean Witter Funds that are multiple class funds ("Dean
Witter Multi-Class Funds") or shares of other Dean Witter Funds sold with a
front-end sales charge purchased at a price including a front-end sales
charge having a current value of $5,000, and purchases $20,000 of additional
shares of the Fund, the sales charge applicable to the $20,000 purchase would
be 4.75% of the offering price.
The Distributor must be notified by the selected broker-dealer or the
shareholder at the time a purchase order is placed that the purchase
qualifies for the reduced charge under the Right of Accumulation. Similar
notification must be made in writing by the selected broker-dealer or
shareholder when such an order is placed by mail. The reduced sales charge
will not be granted if: (a) such notification is not furnished at the time of
the order; or (b) a review of the records of the Distributor or Dean Witter
Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent") fails to confirm the investor's
represented holdings.
Letter of Intent. As discussed in the Prospectus, reduced sales charges
are available to investors who enter into a written Letter of Intent
providing for the purchase, within a thirteen-month period, of Class A shares
of the Fund from the Distributor or from a single Selected Broker-Dealer.
A Letter of Intent permits an investor to establish a total investment
goal to be achieved by any number of purchases over a thirteen-month period.
Each purchase of Class A shares made during the period will receive the
reduced sales commission applicable to the amount represented by the goal, as
if it were a single purchase. A number of shares equal in value to 5% of the
dollar amount of the Letter of Intent will be held in escrow by the Transfer
Agent, in the name of the shareholder. The initial purchase under a Letter of
Intent must be equal to at least 5% of the stated investment goal.
The Letter of Intent does not obligate the investor to purchase, nor the
Fund to sell, the indicated amount. In the event the Letter of Intent goal is
not achieved within the thirteen-month period, the investor is required to
pay the difference between the sales charge otherwise applicable to the
purchases made during this period and sales charges actually paid. Such
payment may be made directly to the Distributor or, if not paid, the
Distributor is authorized by the shareholder to liquidate a sufficient number
of his or her escrowed shares to obtain such difference.
If the goal is exceeded and purchases pass the next sales charge level,
the sales charge on the entire amount of the purchase that results in passing
that level and on subsequent purchases will be subject to further reduced
sales charges in the same manner as set forth above under "Right of
Accumulation," but there will be no retroactive reduction of sales charges on
previous purchases. For the purpose of determining whether the investor is
entitled to a further reduced sales charge applicable to purchases at or
above a sales charge level which exceeds the stated goal of a Letter of
Intent, the cumulative current net asset value of any shares owned by the
investor in any other Dean Witter Funds held by the shareholder which were
previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge (including
shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for those
shares, and including in each case shares acquired through reinvestment of
dividends and distributions) will be added to the cost or net asset value of
shares of the Fund owned by the investor. However, shares of "Exchange Funds"
(see "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege") and the purchase of shares
of other Dean Witter Funds will not be included in determining whether the
stated goal of a Letter of Intent has been reached.
At any time while a Letter of Intent is in effect, a shareholder may, by
written notice to the Distributor, increase the amount of the stated goal. In
that event, only shares purchased during the previous 90-day period and still
owned by the shareholder will be included in the new sales charge reduction.
The 5% escrow and minimum purchase requirements will be applicable to the new
stated goal. Investors electing to purchase shares of the Fund pursuant to a
Letter of Intent should carefully read such Letter of Intent.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS B SHARES
Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge but are subject to
a CDSC payable upon most redemptions within six years after purchase. As
stated in the Prospectus, a CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by an
investor if after such redemption the current value of the investor's Class B
shares of the Fund is less than the dollar amount of all payments by the
shareholder for the purchase of Class B shares during the preceding six years
(or, in the case of shares held by certain employer-sponsored benefit plans,
32
<PAGE>
three years). However, no CDSC will be imposed to the extent that the net
asset value of the shares redeemed does not exceed: (a) the current net asset
value of shares purchased more than six years (or, in the case of shares held
by certain employer-sponsored benefit plans, three years) prior to the
redemption, plus (b) the current net asset value of shares purchased through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions of the Fund or another Dean Witter
Fund (see "Shareholder Services--Targeted Dividends"), plus (c) the current
net asset value of shares acquired in exchange for (i) shares of Dean Witter
front-end sales charge funds, or (ii) shares of other Dean Witter Funds for
which shares of front-end sales charge funds have been exchanged (see
"Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege"), plus (d) increases in the net
asset value of the investor's shares above the total amount of payments for
the purchase of Fund shares made during the preceding six (three) years. The
CDSC will be paid to the Distributor.
In determining the applicability of the CDSC to each redemption, the
amount which represents an increase in the net asset value of the investor's
shares above the amount of the total payments for the purchase of shares
within the last six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain
employer-sponsored benefit plans, three years) will be redeemed first. In the
event the redemption amount exceeds such increase in value, the next portion
of the amount redeemed will be the amount which represents the net asset
value of the investor's shares purchased more than six (three) years prior to
the redemption and/or shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or
distributions and/or shares acquired in exchange for shares of Dean Witter
front-end sales charge funds, or for shares of other Dean Witter funds for
which shares of front-end sales charge funds have been exchanged. A portion
of the amount redeemed which exceeds an amount which represents both such
increase in value and the value of shares purchased more than six years (or,
in the case of shares held by certain employer-sponsored benefit plans, three
years) prior to the redemption and/or shares purchased through reinvestment
of dividends or distributions and/or shares acquired in the above-described
exchanges will be subject to a CDSC.
The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years
from the time of payment for the purchase of Class B shares of the Fund until
the time of redemption of such shares. For purposes of determining the number
of years from the time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all
payments made during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made
on the last day of the month. The following table sets forth the rates of the
CDSC applicable to most Class B shares of the Fund:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE
PURCHASE CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE
PAYMENT MADE OF 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>
The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to Class B
shares of the Fund held by 401(k) plans or other employer-sponsored plans
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for which DWTC or
DWTFSB serves as Trustee or the 401(k) Support Services Group of DWR serves
as recordkeeper and whose accounts are opened on or after July 28, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE
PURCHASE CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE
PAYMENT MADE OF AMOUNT REDEEMED
- ------------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C>
First .................... 2.0%
Second ................... 2.0%
Third .................... 1.0%
Fourth and thereafter .... None
</TABLE>
In determining the rate of the CDSC, it will be assumed that a redemption
is made of shares held by the investor for the longest period of time within
the applicable six-year or three-year period. This will result in any
33
<PAGE>
such CDSC being imposed at the lowest possible rate. The CDSC will be
imposed, in accordance with the table shown above, on any redemptions within
six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain employer-sponsored
benefit plans, three years) of purchase which are in excess of these amounts
and which redemptions do not qualify for waiver of the CDSC, as described in
the Prospectus.
LEVEL LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS C SHARES
Class C shares are sold without a sales charge but are subject to a CDSC
of 1.0% on most redemptions made within one year after purchase, except in
the circumstances discussed in the Prospectus.
NO LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS D SHARES
Class D shares are offered without any sales charge on purchase or
redemption. Class D shares are offered only to those persons meeting the
qualifications set forth in the Prospectus.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon the purchase of shares of the Fund, a Shareholder Investment Account
is opened for the investor on the books of the Fund and maintained by Dean
Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent"). This is an open account in which
shares owned by the investor are credited by the Transfer Agent in lieu of
issuance of a share certificate. If a share certificate is desired, it must
be requested in writing for each transaction. Certificates are issued only
for full shares and may be redeposited in the account at any time. There is
no charge to the investor for issuance of a certificate. Whenever a
shareholder-instituted transaction takes place in the Shareholder Investment
Account, the shareholder will be mailed a confirmation of the transaction
from the Fund or from DWR or other selected broker-dealer.
Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions. As stated in the
Prospectus, all income dividends and capital gains distributions are
automatically paid in full and fractional shares of the applicable Class of
the Fund, unless the shareholder requests that they be paid in cash. Each
purchase of shares of the Fund is made upon the condition that the Transfer
Agent is thereby automatically appointed as agent of the investor to receive
all dividends and capital gains distributions on shares owned by the
investor. Such dividends and distributions will be paid, at the net asset
value per share, in shares of the applicable Class of the Fund (or in cash if
the shareholder so requests) as of the close of business on the record date.
At any time an investor may request the Transfer Agent, in writing, to have
subsequent dividends and/or capital gains distributions paid to him or her in
cash rather than shares. To assure sufficient time to process the change,
such request should be received by the Transfer Agent at least five business
days prior to the record date of the dividend or distribution. In the case of
recently purchased shares for which registration instructions have not been
received on the record date, cash payments will be made to DWR or the other
selected broker-dealer, and which will be forwarded to the shareholder, upon
the receipt of proper instructions.
Target Dividends. (Service Mark) In states where it is legally
permissible, shareholders may also have all income dividends and capital
gains distributions automatically invested in shares of any Class of an
open-end Dean Witter Fund other than Dean Witter Information Fund or in
another Class of Dean Witter Information Fund. Such investment will be made
as described above for automatic investment in shares of the applicable Class
of the Fund, at the net asset value per share of the selected Dean Witter
Fund as of the close of business on the payment date of the dividend or
distribution and will begin to earn dividends, if any, in the selected Dean
Witter Fund the next business day. To participate in the Targeted Dividends
program, shareholders should contact their DWR or other selected
broker-dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent. Shareholders of the
Fund must be shareholders of the selected Class of the Dean Witter Fund
targeted to receive investments from dividends at the time they enter the
Targeted Dividends program. Investors should review the prospectus of the
targeted Dean Witter Fund before entering the program.
EasyInvest. (Service Mark) 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 or following
redemption of shares of a Dean Witter money market fund, on a semi-monthly,
monthly or quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for investment in shares of
the Fund. Shares purchased through EasyInvest will
34
<PAGE>
be added to the shareholder's existing account at the net asset value
calculated the same business day the transfer of funds is effected. For
further information or to subscribe to EasyInvest, shareholders should
contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or the
Transfer Agent.
Investment of Dividends or Distributions Received in Cash. As discussed in
the Prospectus, any shareholder who receives a cash payment representing a
dividend or distribution may invest such dividend or distribution in shares
of the applicable Class at net asset value, without the imposition of a CDSC
upon redemption, by returning the check or the proceeds to the Transfer Agent
within 30 days after the payment date. If the shareholder returns the
proceeds of a dividend or distribution, such funds must be accompanied by a
signed statement indicating that the proceeds constitute a dividend or
distribution to be invested. Such investment will be made at the net asset
value per share next determined after receipt of the check or proceeds by the
Transfer Agent.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. As discussed in the Prospectus, a systematic
withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal Plan") is available for shareholders who own
or purchase shares of the Fund having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon
the then current net asset value. The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly or
quarterly (March, June, September and December) checks in any dollar amount,
not less then $25, or in any whole percentage of the account balance, on an
annualized basis. Any applicable CDSC will be imposed on shares redeemed
under the Withdrawal Plan (see "Purchase of Fund Shares"). 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
CDSC) to the shareholder will be the designated monthly or quarterly amount.
The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in tendering to the
Fund for redemption sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the
amount of the periodic withdrawal payment designated in the application. The
shares will be redeemed at their net asset value determined, at the
shareholder's option, on the tenth or twenty-fifth day (or next following
business day) of the relevant month or quarter and normally a check for the
proceeds will be mailed by the Transfer Agent, or amounts credited to a
shareholder's DWR brokerage account, within five business days after the date
of redemption. The Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by the Fund.
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 share holder's original
investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.
Each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares and any gain or loss
realized must be recognized for federal income tax purposes. Although the
shareholder may make additional investments of $2,500 or more under the
Withdrawal Plan, withdrawals made concurrently with purchases of additional
shares may be inadvisable because of sales charges which may be applicable to
purchases or redemptions of shares (see "Purchase of Fund Shares").
Any shareholder who wishes to have payments under the Withdrawal Plan made
to a third party or sent to an address other than the one listed on the
account must send complete written instructions to the Transfer Agent to
enroll in the Withdrawal Plan. The shareholder's signature on such
instructions must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the
Transfer Agent (shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a
determination as to whether a particular institution is such an eligible
guarantor). A shareholder may, at any time, change the amount and interval of
withdrawal payments through his or her Account Executive or by written
notification to the Transfer Agent. In addition, the party and/or the address
to which checks are mailed may be changed by written notification to the
Transfer Agent, with signature guarantees required in the manner described
above. The shareholder may also terminate the Withdrawal Plan at any time by
written notice to the Transfer Agent. In the event of such termination, the
account will be continued as a regular shareholder investment account. The
shareholder may also redeem all or part of the shares held in the Withdrawal
Plan account (see "Redemptions and Repurchases" in the Prospectus) at any
time.
Direct Investments through Transfer Agent. As discussed in the Prospectus,
a shareholder may make additional investments in any Class of shares of the
Fund for which they qualify at any time by sending a check in any amount, not
less than $100, payable to Dean Witter Information Fund, and indicating the
selected Class, directly to the Fund's Transfer Agent. In the case of Class A
shares, after deduction of any applicable
35
<PAGE>
sales charge, the balance will be applied to the purchase of Fund shares,
and, in the case of shares of the other Classes, the entire amount will be
applied to the purchase of Fund shares, at the net asset value per share next
computed after receipt of the check or purchase payment by the Transfer
Agent. The shares so purchased will be credited to the investor's account.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund makes available to its
shareholders an Exchange Privilege whereby shareholders of each Class of
shares of the Fund may exchange their shares for shares of the same Class of
shares of any other Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund, without the imposition of
any exchange fee. Shares may also be exchanged for shares of any of the
following funds: Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter
Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal
Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund and five Dean Witter Funds which are
money market funds (the foregoing nine non-CDSC Funds are hereinafter
referred to as "Exchange Funds"). Class A shares may also be exchanged for
shares of Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust and Dean Witter
Hawaii Municipal Trust, which are Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end
sales charge ("FSC Funds"). Class B shares may also be exchanged for shares
of Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc., Dean Witter High Income
Securities and Dean Witter National Municipal Trust, which are Dean Witter
Funds offered with a CDSC ("CDSC 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 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.
Any new account established through the Exchange Privilege will have the
same registration and cash dividend or dividend reinvestment plan as the
present account, unless the Transfer Agent receives written notification to
the contrary. For telephone exchanges, the exact registration of the existing
account and the account number must be provided.
Any shares held in certificate form cannot be exchanged but must be
forwarded to the Transfer Agent and deposited into the shareholder's account
before being eligible for exchange. (Certificates mailed in for deposit
should not be endorsed.)
As described below, and in the Prospectus under the captions "Purchase of
Fund Shares", a CDSC may be imposed upon a redemption, depending on a number
of factors, including the number of years from the time of purchase until the
time of redemption or exchange ("holding period"). When shares of a Dean
Witter Multi-Class Fund or any other CDSC Fund are exchanged for shares of an
Exchange Fund, the Exchange Fund is executed at no charge to the shareholder,
without the imposition of the CDSC at the time of the exchange. 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 investment period or "year since purchase payment made" is frozen. When
shares are redeemed out of the Exchange Fund, they will be subject to a CDSC
which would be based upon the period of time the shareholder held shares in a
Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in a CDSC Fund. However, in the case of
shares of the Fund exchanged into the 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, if any, incurred on or after that date which are
attributable to those shares. Shareholders acquiring shares of an Exchange
Fund pursuant to this exchange privilege may exchange those shares back into
a CDSC Fund from the Exchange Fund, with no CDSC being imposed on such
exchange. The holding period previously frozen when shares were first
exchanged for shares of the Exchange Fund resumes on the last day of the
month in which shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in a CDSC Fund are
reacquired. A CDSC is imposed only upon an ultimate redemption, based upon
the time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in a
Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in a CDSC Fund. In the case of exchanges of
Class A shares which are subject to a CDSC, the holding period also includes
the time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in a
FSC Fund.
When shares initially purchased in a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in a
CDSC Fund are exchanged for shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund, shares
of a CDSC Fund, shares of a FSC Fund, or shares of an Exchange Fund, the date
of purchase of the shares of the fund exchanged into, for purposes of the
CDSC
36
<PAGE>
upon redemption, will be the last day of the month in which the shares being
exchanged were originally purchased. In allocating the purchase payments
between funds for purposes of the CSDC, the amount which represents the
current net asset value of shares at the time of the exchange which were (i)
purchased more than one, three or six years (depending on the CDSC schedule
applicable to the shares) prior to the exchange, (ii) originally acquired
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions and (iii) acquired in
exchange for shares of FSC Funds, or for shares of other Dean Witter Funds
for which shares of FSC Funds have been exchanged (all such shares called
"Free Shares"), will be exchanged first. Shares of Dean Witter Dividend
Growth Securities Inc. and Dean Witter Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc. acquired prior to July 2, 1984, and shares of Dean Witter
Strategist Fund acquired prior to November 8, 1989, are also considered Free
Shares and will be the first Free Shares to be exchanged. After an exchange,
all dividends earned on shares in an Exchange Fund will be considered Free
Shares. If the exchanged amount exceeds the value of such Free Shares, an
exchange is made, on a block-by-block basis, of non-Free Shares held for the
longest period of time (except that, with respect to Class B shares, if
shares held for identical periods of time but subject to different CDSC
schedules are held in the same Exchange Privilege account, the shares of that
block that are subject to a lower CDSC rate will be exchanged prior to the
shares of that block that are subject to a higher CDSC rate). Shares equal to
any appreciation in the value of non-Free Shares exchanged will be treated as
Free Shares, and the amount of the purchase payments for the non-Free Shares
of the fund exchanged into will be equal to the lesser of (a) the purchase
payments for, or (b) the current net asset value of, the exchanged non-Free
Shares. If an exchange between funds would result in exchange of only part of
a particular block of non-Free Shares, then shares equal to any appreciation
in the value of the block (up to the amount of the exchange) will be treated
as Free Shares and exchanged first, and the purchase payment for that block
will be allocated on a pro rata basis between the non-Free Shares of that
block to be retained and the non-Free Shares to be exchanged. The prorated
amount of such purchase payment attributable to the retained non-Free Shares
will remain as the purchase payment for such shares, and the amount of
purchase payment for the exchanged non-Free Shares will be equal to the
lesser of (a) the prorated amount of the purchaser payment for, or (b) the
current net asset value of, those exchanged in non-Free Shares. Based upon
the procedures described in the Prospectus under the caption "Purchase of
Fund Shares," any applicable CDSC will be imposed upon the ultimate
redemption of shares of any fund, regardless of the number of exchanges since
those shares were originally purchased.
With respect to the redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund, the
application of proceeds to the purchase of new shares in the Fund or any
other of the funds and the general administration of the Exchange Privilege,
the Transfer Agent acts as agent for the Distributor and for the
shareholder's selected broker-dealer, if any, in the performance of such
functions.
With respect to exchanges, redemptions or repurchases, the Transfer Agent
shall be liable for its own negligence and not for the default or negligence
of its correspondents or for losses in transit. The Fund shall not be liable
for any default or negligence of the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or any
selected broker-dealer.
The Distributor and any selected broker-dealer have authorized and
appointed the Transfer Agent to act as their agent in connection with the
application of proceeds of any redemption of Fund shares to the purchase of
shares of any other fund and the general administration of the Exchange
Privilege. No commission or discounts will be paid to the Distributor or any
selected broker-dealer for any transactions pursuant to this Exchange
Privilege.
Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and any other
conditions imposed by each fund. (The minimum initial investment for the
Exchange Privilege account of each Class is $5,000 for Dean Witter Liquid
Asset Fund Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter
California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust and Dean Witter New York Municipal
Money Market Trust although those funds may, at their discretion, accept
initial investments of as low as $1,000. The minimum initial investment for
the Exchange Privilege account of each Class is $10,000 for Dean Witter
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, although that fund, in its discretion, may
accept initial purchases of as low as $5,000. The minimum initial investment
for the Exchange Privilege account of each Class is $5,000 for Dean Witter
Special Value Fund. The minimum initial investment for the Exchange Privilege
account of each Class of all other Dean Witter Funds for which the Exchange
Privilege is available is $1,000.) Upon exchange into an Exchange Fund, the
37
<PAGE>
shares of that fund will be held in a special Exchange Privilege Account
separately from accounts of those shareholders who have acquired their shares
directly from that fund. As a result, certain services normally available to
shareholders of money market funds, including the check writing feature, will
not be available for funds held in that account.
The Fund and each of the other Dean Witter Funds may limit the number of
times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any investor within a
specified period of time. Also, the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or
revised at any time by the Fund and/or any of the Dean Witter funds for which
shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such notice as may be required
by applicable regulatory agencies (presently sixty days for termination or
material revision), provided that six months' prior written notice of
termination will be given to the shareholders who hold shares of Exchange
Funds, pursuant to the Exchange Privilege, and provided further that the
Exchange Privilege may be terminated or materially revised without notice at
times (a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary
weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is restricted, (c)
when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of
securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, (d)
during any other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order
so permits (provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed
in (b) or (c) exist) or (e) if the Fund would be unable to invest amounts
effectively in accordance with its investment objective, policies and
restrictions.
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. 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.
For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption. As stated in the Prospectus, shares of each Class 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 CDSC (see below). If shares are held in a shareholder's
account without a share certificate, a written request for redemption to the
Fund's Transfer Agent at P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303 is required. If
certificates are held by the shareholder, the shares may be redeemed by
surrendering the certificates with a written request for redemption. The
share certificate, or an accompanying stock power, and the request for
redemption, must be signed by the shareholder or shareholders exactly as the
shares are registered. Each request for redemption, whether or not
accompanied by a share certificate, must be sent to the Fund's Transfer
Agent, which will redeem the shares at their net asset value next computed
(see "Purchase of Fund Shares") after it receives the request, and
certificate, if any, in good order. Any redemption request received after
such computation will be redeemed at the next determined net asset value. The
term "good order" means that the share certificate, if any, and request for
redemption are properly signed, accompanied by any documentation required by
the Transfer Agent, and bear signature guarantees when required by the Fund
or the Transfer Agent. If redemption is requested by a corporation,
partnership, trust or fiduciary, the Transfer Agent may require that written
evidence of authority acceptable to the Transfer Agent be submitted before
such request is accepted.
Whether certificates are held by the shareholder or shares are held in a
shareholder's account, if the proceeds are to be paid to any person other
than the record owner, or if the proceeds are to be paid to a corporation
(other than the Distributor or a selected broker-dealer for the account of
the shareholder), partnership, trust or fiduciary, or sent to the shareholder
at an address other than the registered address, signatures must be
guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the Transfer Agent
(shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a determination as to
whether a particular institution is such an eligible
38
<PAGE>
guarantor). A stock power may be obtained from any dealer or commercial bank.
The Fund may change the signature guarantee requirements from time to time
upon notice to shareholders, which may be by means of a new prospectus.
Repurchase. As stated in the Prospectus, DWR and other selected
broker-dealers are authorized to repurchase shares represented by a share
certificate which is delivered to any of their offices. Shares held in a
shareholder's account without a share certificate may also be repurchased by
DWR and other selected broker-dealers upon the telephonic request of the
shareholder. The repurchase price is the net asset value next computed after
such purchase order is received by DWR or other selected broker-dealer
reduced by any applicable CDSC.
Payment for Shares Redeemed or Repurchased. As discussed in the
Prospectus, payment for shares of any Class 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. The
term good order means that the share certificate, if any, and request for
redemption are properly signed, accompanied by any documentation required by
the Transfer Agent, and bear signature guarantees when required by the Fund
or Transfer Agent. Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption
suspended at times (a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other
than customary weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is
restricted, (c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the
Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net
assets, or (d) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission by order so permits; provided that applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as to
whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist. 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.
Transfers of Shares. In the event a shareholder requests a transfer of any
shares to a new registration, such shares will be transferred without sales
charge at the time of transfer. With regard to the status of shares which are
either subject to the CDSC or free of such charge (and with regard to the
length of time shares subject to the charge have been held), any transfer
involving less than all of the shares in an account will be made on a pro
rata basis (that is, by transferring shares in the same proportion that the
transferred shares bear to the total shares in the account immediately prior
to the transfer). The transferred shares will continue to be subject to any
applicable CDSC as if they had not been so transferred.
Reinstatement Privilege. As discussed in the Prospectus, a shareholder who
has had his or her shares redeemed or repurchased and has not previously
exercised this reinstatement privilege may, within 35 days after the date of
redemption or repurchase, reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of
such redemption or repurchase in shares of the Fund in the same Class at the
net asset value next determined after a reinstatement request, together with
the proceeds, is received by the Transfer Agent.
Exercise of the reinstatement privilege will not affect the federal income
tax treatment of any gain or loss realized upon the redemption or repurchase,
except that if the redemption or repurchase resulted in a loss and
reinstatement is made in shares of the Fund, some or all of the loss,
depending on the amount reinstated, will not be allowed as a deduction for
federal income tax purposes but will be applied to adjust the cost basis of
the shares acquired upon reinstatement.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund will determine either to
distribute or to retain all or part of any net long-term capital gains in any
year for reinvestment. If any such gains are retained, the Fund will pay
federal income tax thereon, and shareholders will be required to include such
undistributed gains in their taxable income and will be able to claim their
share of the tax paid by the Fund as a credit against their individual
federal income tax.
39
<PAGE>
Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will be long-term
capital gains or losses if the securities have been held by the Fund for more
than twelve months. Gains or losses on the sale of securities held for twelve
months or less will be short-term gains or losses.
Any dividend or capital gains distribution received by a shareholder from
any investment company will have the effect of reducing the net asset value
of the shareholder's stock in that company by the exact amount of the
dividend or capital gains distribution. Furthermore, capital gains
distributions and dividends are subject to federal income taxes. If the net
asset value of the shares should be reduced below a shareholder's cost as a
result of the payment of dividends or the distribution of realized net
long-term capital gains, such payment or distribution would be in part a
return of the shareholder's investment to the extent of such reduction below
the shareholder's cost, but nonetheless would be fully taxable at either
ordinary or capital gain rates. Therefore, an investor should consider the
tax implications of purchasing Fund shares immediately prior to a dividend or
distribution record date.
Dividends, interest and capital gains received by the Fund may give rise
to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions
between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such
taxes. Investors may be entitled to claim United States foreign tax credits
or deductions with respect to such taxes, subject to certain provisions and
limitations contained in the Code. If more than 50% of the Fund's total
assets at the close of its fiscal year consist of securities of foreign
corporations, the Fund would be eligible and would determine whether or not
to file an election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which
shareholders of the Fund will be required to include their respective pro
rata portions of such withholding taxes in their United States income tax
returns as gross income, treat such respective pro rata portions as taxes
paid by them, and deduct such respective pro rata portions in computing their
taxable income or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits against
their United States income taxes. If the Fund does elect to file the election
with the Internal Revenue Service, the Fund will report annually to its
shareholders the amount per share of such withholding.
Special Rules for Certain Foreign Currency Transactions. In general, gains
from foreign currencies and from foreign currency options, foreign currency
futures and forward foreign exchange contracts relating to investments in
stock, securities or foreign currencies are currently considered to be
qualifying income for purposes of determining whether the Fund qualifies as a
regulated investment company. It is currently unclear, however, who will be
treated as the issuer of certain foreign currency instruments or how foreign
currency options, futures, or forward foreign currency contracts will be
valued for purposes of the regulated investment company diversification
requirements applicable to the Fund. The Fund may request a private letter
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service on some or all of these issues.
Under Code Section 988, special rules are provided for certain
transactions in a foreign currency other than the taxpayer's functional
currency (i.e., unless certain special rules apply, currencies other than the
U.S. dollar). In general, foreign currency gains or losses from forward
contracts, from futures contracts that are not "regulated futures contracts",
and from unlisted options will be treated as ordinary income or loss under
Code Section 988. Also, certain foreign exchange gains or losses derived with
respect to foreign fixed-income securities are also subject to Section 988
treatment. In general, therefore, Code Section 988 gains or losses will
increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company taxable
income available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, rather
than increasing or decreasing the amount of the Fund's net capital gain.
Additionally, if Code Section 988 losses exceed other investment company
taxable income during a taxable year, the Fund would not be able to make any
ordinary dividend distributions.
If the Fund invests in an entity which is classified as a "passive foreign
investment company" ("PFIC") for U.S. tax purposes, the application of
certain technical tax provisions applying to such companies could result in
the imposition of federal income tax with respect to such investments at the
Fund level which could not be eliminated by distributions to shareholders.
The U.S. Treasury issued proposed regulation section 1.1291-8 which
establishes a mark-to-market regime which allows investment companies
investing in PFIC's to avoid most, if not all, of the difficulties posed by
the PFIC rules. In any event, it is not anticipated that any taxes on the
Fund with respect to investments in PFIC's would be significant.
Shareholders are urged to consult their attorneys or tax advisers
regarding specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes.
40
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, from time to time the Fund may quote its
"total return" in advertisements and sales literature. These figures are
computed separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares. The
Fund's "average annual total return" represents an annualization of the
Fund's total return over a particular period and is computed by finding the
annual percentage rate which will result in the ending redeemable value of a
hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of a one, five or ten
year period, or for the period from the date of commencement of the Fund's
operations, if shorter than any of the foregoing. The ending redeemable value
is reduced by any CDSC at the end of the one, five or ten year or other
period. For the purpose of this calculation, it is assumed that all dividends
and distributions are reinvested. The formula for computing the average
annual total return involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending
redeemable value by the amount of the initial investment, taking a root of
the quotient (where the root is equivalent to the number of years in the
period) and subtracting 1 from the result. The average annual total return of
the Fund for the period November 28, 1995 through March 31, 1997 and for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 was -10.82% and -20.49%, respectively. These
returns are for Class B only; there were no other Classes of shares
outstanding on such date.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return for
each Class over different periods of time by means of aggregate, year-by-year
or other types of total return figures. Such calculations may or may not
reflect the imposition of the maximum front-end sales charge for Class A or
the deduction of the CDSC for each of Class B and Class C which, if
reflected, would reduce the performance quoted. For example, the average
annual total return of the Fund may be calculated in the manner described
above, but without deduction for any applicable sales charge. Based on the
foregoing calculation, the Fund's total return for the period November 28,
1995 through March 31, 1997 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 was
- -10.64% and -16.31%, respectively. These returns are for Class B only; there
were no other Classes of shares outstanding on such date.
In addition, the Fund may compute its aggregate total return for each
Class for specified periods by determining the aggregate percentage rate
which will result in the ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment
made at the beginning of the period. For the purpose of this calculation, it
is assumed that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. The formula
for computing aggregate total return involves a percentage obtained by
dividing the ending value (without the reduction for any sales charge) by the
initial $1,000 investment and subtracting 1 from the result. Based on the
foregoing calculation, the Fund's total return for the period November 28,
1995 through March 31, 1997 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 was
- -8.06% and -16.31%, respectively. These returns are for Class B only; there
were no other Classes of shares outstanding on such date.
The Fund may also advertise the growth of hypothetical investments of
$10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in each Class of in shares of the Fund by
adding 1 to the Fund's aggregate total return to date (expressed as a decimal
and without taking into account the effect of any applicable CDSC) and
multiplying by $9,475, $48,000 and $97,000 in the case of Class A
(investments of $10,000, $50,000, and $100,000 adjusted for the initial sales
charge) or by $10,000, $50,000 or $100,000 in the case of each of Class B,
Class C and Class D, as the case may be. Investments of $10,000, $50,000 and
$100,000 in the Fund at inception would have declined to $8,936, $44,680 and
$89,360, respectively, at March 31, 1997. This information is for Class B
only; there were no other Classes of shares outstanding on such date.
The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent
organizations.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full
share held. All of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of the
Fund, most recently at a Special Meeting of Shareholders held on May 21,
1997. On that date, Wayne E. Hedien was also elected as a Trustee of the
Fund, with his term to commence on September 1, 1997. The Trustees themselves
have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees,
and they may at any time lengthen their own terms or make their terms of
unlimited duration and appoint their own successors, provided that always at
least a majority of the Trustees has been
41
<PAGE>
elected by the shareholders of the Fund. Under certain circumstances the
Trustees may be removed by action of the Trustees. The shareholders also have
the right to remove the Trustees following a meeting called for that purpose
requested in writing by the record holders of not less than ten percent of
the Fund's outstanding shares. The voting rights of shareholders are not
cumulative, so that holders of more than 50 percent of the shares voting can,
if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected, while the holders of the
remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to authorize the creation of
additional series of shares (the proceeds of which would be invested in
separate, independently managed portfolios) and additional classes of shares
within any series. The Trustees presently have not authorized any such
additional series or classes of shares other than as set forth in the
Prospectus.
The Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer, employee or
agent of the Fund is liable to the Fund or to a shareholder, nor is any
Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable to any third persons in connection
with the affairs of the Fund, except as such liability may arise from his own
bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of
his duties. It also provides that all third persons shall look solely to the
Fund's property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the
affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of Trust
provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent is entitled to be
indemnified against all liabilities in connection with the affairs of the
Fund.
The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest. The Fund shall be of unlimited duration subject to the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust concerning termination by action of
the shareholders.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chase Manhattan Bank, Chase Plaza, New York, New York 10005 is the
Custodian of the Fund's assets. Any of the Fund's cash balances with the
Custodian in excess of $100,000 are unprotected by federal deposit insurance.
Such balances may, at times, be substantial.
Dean Witter Trust Company, Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey
City, New Jersey 07311 is the Transfer Agent of the Fund's shares and
Dividend Disbursing Agent for payment of dividends and distributions on Fund
shares and Agent for shareholders under various investment plans described
herein. Dean Witter Trust Company is an affiliate of Dean Witter InterCapital
Inc., the Fund's Investment Manager, and of Dean Witter Distributors Inc.,
the Fund's Distributor. As Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, Dean
Witter Trust Company's responsibilities include maintaining shareholder
accounts, disbursing cash dividends and reinvesting dividends, processing
account registration changes, handling purchase and redemption transactions,
mailing prospectuses and reports, mailing and tabulating proxies, processing
share certificate transactions, and maintaining shareholder records and
lists. For these services Dean Witter Trust Company receives a per
shareholder account fee.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price Waterhouse LLP serves as the independent accountants of the Fund.
The independent accountants are responsible for auditing the annual financial
statements of the Fund.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund will send to shareholders, at least semi-annually, reports
showing the Fund's portfolio and other information. An annual report
containing financial statements audited by independent accountants will be
sent to shareholders each year.
The Fund's fiscal year ends on March 31. The financial statements of the
Fund must be audited at least once a year by independent accountants whose
selection is made annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees.
42
<PAGE>
LEGAL COUNSEL
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barry Fink, Esq., who is an officer and the General Counsel of the
Manager, is an officer and the General Counsel of the Fund.
EXPERTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1997 included in this Statement of Additional Information and incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus have been so included and incorporated in
reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus do not contain
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement the Fund has
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The complete Registration
Statement may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
payment of the fee prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Commission.
43
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS March 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
COMMON STOCKS (90.2%)
Advertising (5.7%)
26,000 Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. ........................... $ 1,371,500
51,300 Omnicom Group, Inc. ............................................ 2,558,587
85,000 Outdoor Systems, Inc.* .......................................... 2,465,000
136,000 Sitel Corp.* .................................................... 1,819,000
42,000 Snyder Communications, Inc.* .................................... 987,000
100,000 Universal Outdoor Holdings, Inc.* .............................. 2,900,000
--------------
12,101,087
--------------
Aerospace (4.7%)
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Ltd. (ADR)(Hong
43,000 Kong)* .......................................................... 1,101,875
45,000 EchoStar Communications Corp. (Class A)* ....................... 922,500
80,000 Electromagnetic Sciences, Inc.* ................................. 1,480,000
20,000 Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. (Bermuda)* .................. 1,040,000
2,262 Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. (Bermuda)(Rights)* .......... 56,550
120,000 Loral Space & Communications Ltd. (Bermuda)* ................... 1,695,000
129,500 Orbital Sciences Corp.* ......................................... 1,780,625
70,000 PanAmSat Corp.* ................................................. 1,986,250
--------------
10,062,800
--------------
Broadcast Media (0.5%)
23,000 Carlton Communications PLC (United Kingdom) .................... 986,125
--------------
Broadcasting (16.0%)
85,000 American Radio Systems Corp.* ................................... 2,592,500
103,000 Argyle Television, Inc. (Class A)* .............................. 2,472,000
50,000 Chancellor Broadcasting Co. (Class A)* ......................... 1,287,500
65,000 Cinar Films, Inc. (Class B) (Canada)* .......................... 1,576,250
110,000 Clear Channel Communications, Inc.* ............................ 4,716,250
25,000 Comcast Corp. (Class A Special) ................................. 421,875
110,000 Cox Radio, Inc. (Class A)* ...................................... 2,282,500
70,000 Emmis Broadcasting Corp. (Class A)* ............................ 2,686,250
110,000 Evergreen Media Corp. (Class A)* ................................ 3,203,750
57,000 Heftel Broadcasting Corp. (Class A)* ............................ 2,622,000
80,000 Jacor Communications, Inc.* ..................................... 2,210,000
39,000 Lin Television Corp.* ........................................... 1,408,875
80,000 Telemundo Group, Inc. (Class A)* ................................ 2,240,000
40,000 Time Warner, Inc. .............................................. 1,730,000
30,000 Univision Communications, Inc. (Class A)* ...................... 978,750
100,000 Westwood One, Inc.* ............................................. 1,850,000
--------------
34,278,500
--------------
Business Services (5.5%)
100,000 ACE*COMM Corp.* ................................................. 812,500
111,200 CUC International, Inc.* ........................................ 2,502,000
70,000 Gartner Group, Inc. (Class A)* .................................. 1,487,500
144,000 Getty Communication PLC (ADR)(United Kingdom)* ................. 2,016,000
40,000 Precision Response Corp.* ....................................... 945,000
40,000 Primark Corp.* .................................................. 950,000
80,000 Saville Systems Ireland PLC (ADR)(Ireland)* .................... 2,260,000
25,000 Tollgrade Communications, Inc. .................................. 437,500
100,000 TTI Team Telecom International Ltd. (Israel)* .................. 375,000
--------------
11,785,500
--------------
Computer Software (11.2%)
43,750 Adobe Systems, Inc. ............................................. 1,750,000
68,000 America Online, Inc.* ........................................... 2,881,500
56,000 Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (Israel)* ............... 1,148,000
50,000 Clarify Inc.* ................................................... 1,175,000
53,500 CyberMedia, Inc.* ............................................... 468,125
23,600 Edify Corp.* .................................................... 247,800
44,200 Eidos PLC (ADR) (United Kingdom)* ............................... 591,175
33,500 Geoworks* ....................................................... 217,750
75,000 Interlink Computer Sciences, Inc.* ............................. 806,250
6,500 IONA Technologies PLC (ADR) (United Kingdom)* .................. 115,375
100,000 ISG International Software Group Ltd. (Israel)* ................ 962,500
20,000 Lycos, Inc.* .................................................... 280,000
30,900 Memco Software Ltd.* ............................................ 436,462
8,500 Microsoft Corp.* ................................................ 778,812
30,000 Netscape Communications Corp.* ................................. 900,000
91,000 Network General Corp.* .......................................... 1,956,500
80,000 Raptor Systems, Inc.* ........................................... 1,030,000
35,000 Security Dynamics Technologies, Inc.* .......................... 857,500
76,000 Segue Software, Inc.* ........................................... 731,500
7,000 Simulation Sciences, Inc.* ...................................... 70,000
110,000 Sterling Commerce, Inc.* ........................................ 3,190,000
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
44
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS March 31, 1997, continued
NUMBER OF
SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30,000 Synopsys, Inc.* ................................................. $ 750,000
68,000 Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd. (Israel)* ......................... 1,411,000
125,000 Visigenic Software, Inc.* ....................................... 1,109,375
--------------
23,864,624
--------------
Computer Software & Services (0.4%)
30,000 Black Box Corp.* ................................................ 806,250
--------------
Computers -Peripheral Equipment (1.1%)
65,000 EMC Corp.* ...................................................... 2,307,500
--------------
Electronics (1.4%)
26,500 Diebold, Inc. .................................................. 997,062
45,000 Natural Microsystems Corp.* ..................................... 894,375
25,000 Uniphase Corp.* ................................................. 925,000
5,000 Verifone, Inc.* ................................................. 163,750
--------------
2,980,187
--------------
Electronics -Semiconductors/
Components (0.7%)
100,000 Sierra Semiconductor Corp.* ..................................... 1,612,500
--------------
Entertainment/Gaming & Lodging (1.8%)
67,000 Imax Corp. (Canada)* ............................................ 2,269,625
150,000 Lodgenet Entertainment Corp.* ................................... 1,481,250
--------------
3,750,875
--------------
Housing & Home Furnishings (0.5%)
100,000 Gemstar International Group Ltd.* .............................. 1,175,000
--------------
Internet (2.5%)
18,000 AmeriTrade Holding Corp. (Class A)* ............................ 281,250
50,000 Checkfree Corp.* ................................................ 606,250
110,000 E*TRADE Group, Inc.* ............................................ 1,980,000
105,000 Mecklermedia Corp.* ............................................. 2,441,250
--------------
5,308,750
--------------
Office Equipment & Supplies (0.6%)
55,000 Lexmark International Group, Inc.* ............................. 1,333,750
--------------
Publishing -Newspaper (0.5%)
8,500 Gannett Co., Inc. ............................................... 729,938
10,500 New York Times Co. (The) (Class A) ............................. 463,313
--------------
1,193,251
--------------
Semiconductors (4.6%)
25,000 Altera Corp.* ................................................... 1,075,000
10,500 Intel Corp. ..................................................... 1,459,500
36,000 Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.* ............................... 1,741,500
30,000 Micrel, Inc.* ................................................... 870,000
32,000 Micron Technology, Inc. ......................................... 1,296,000
20,000 Texas Instruments, Inc. ......................................... 1,497,500
65,500 Vitesse Semiconductor Corp.* .................................... 1,809,438
--------------
9,748,938
--------------
Telecommunication Equipment (13.9%)
20,000 3Com Corp.* ..................................................... 652,500
56,000 ADC Telecommunications, Inc.* ................................... 1,505,000
20,000 Adtran, Inc.* ................................................... 495,000
34,000 Ascend Communications, Inc.* .................................... 1,385,500
30,000 BBN Corp. ....................................................... 498,750
20,000 Coherent Communications Systems Corp.* ......................... 345,000
37,500 Digital Link Corp.* ............................................. 450,000
50,000 Digital Microwave Corp.* ........................................ 950,000
66,000 Ericsson (L.M.) Telephone Co. (Class B)(ADR)(Sweden) ........... 2,227,500
65,000 FORE Systems, Inc.* ............................................. 966,875
68,000 IFR Systems, Inc. ............................................... 1,020,000
90,000 Larscom Inc. (Class A)* ......................................... 742,500
55,000 Lucent Technologies, Inc. ....................................... 2,901,250
60,000 Nokia Corp. (ADR)(Finland) ...................................... 3,495,000
26,000 Northern Telecom Ltd. (Canada) .................................. 1,699,750
79,000 Ortel Corp.* .................................................... 997,375
40,000 Pairgain Technologies, Inc.* .................................... 1,185,000
65,000 Philips Electronics NV (ADR) (Netherlands) ..................... 2,892,500
50,000 QUALCOMM, Incorporated* ......................................... 2,818,750
70,000 Tellabs, Inc.* .................................................. 2,520,000
--------------
29,748,250
--------------
Telephones (15.1%)
50,400 Airtouch Communications, Inc.* .................................. 1,159,200
50,000 Alltel Corp.* ................................................... 1,625,000
60,000 BellSouth Corp. ................................................ 2,535,000
55,000 Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ............................ 1,622,500
60,775 Compania de Telecommunicaciones de Chile S.A. (ADR)(Chile) .... 1,747,281
60,000 GTE Corp. ...................................................... 2,797,500
29,000 LCI International, Inc.* ........................................ 485,750
57,000 Portugal Telecom SA (ADR) (Portugal) ........................... 2,094,750
17,700 PT Indonesian Satellite Corp. (ADR)(Indonesia)* ................ 473,475
27,000 Royal PTT Nederland NV (ADR)(Netherlands) ...................... 978,750
60,000 SBC Communications, Inc. ........................................ 3,157,500
40,000 Tele Danmark A/S (ADR) (Denmark) ............................... 1,045,000
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
45
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS March 31, 1997, continued
NUMBER OF
SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telecom Argentina Stet - France Telecom S.A. (Class B)
25,000 (ADR)(Argentina) ............................................... $ 1,150,000
18,000 Telecom Corp. of New Zealand, Ltd. (ADR)(New Zealand) .......... 1,278,000
29,700 Telefonos de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (Series L)(ADR)(Mexico) ....... 1,143,450
47,900 Telekomunikasi Indonesia (ADR)(Indonesia) ...................... 1,442,988
60,000 Telephone & Data Systems, Inc. .................................. 2,302,500
24,500 Teleport Communications Group Inc. (Class A)* .................. 560,438
210,000 WorldCom, Inc.* ................................................. 4,593,750
--------------
32,192,832
--------------
Wireless Communication (3.5%)
175 DDI Corp. (Japan) ............................................... 1,104,177
4,030 Mannesmann AG (Germany) ......................................... 1,534,551
55,000 Millicom International Cellular S.A.* .......................... 2,255,000
415,000 Technology Resources Industries
Berhad (Malaysia)* ............................................. 904,066
37,000 Vodafone Group PLC (ADR) (United Kingdom) ...................... 1,632,625
--------------
7,430,419
--------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Identified Cost $192,668,700) .................................. 192,667,138
--------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT (A) (8.0%)
<S> <C> <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 6.50% due 04/01/97 (Amortized
$17,200 Cost $17,200,000) ............................................... $17,200,000
-------------
</TABLE>
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(IDENTIFIED COST $209,868,700)(B) . 98.2% 209,867,138
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES........................ 1.8 3,859,093
-------- --------------
NET ASSETS......................... 100.0% $213,726,231
======== ==============
- ------------
ADR American Depository Receipt.
* Non-income producing security.
(a) Security was purchased on a discount basis. The interest rate shown
has been adjusted to reflect a money market equivalent yield.
(b) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes approximates
identified cost. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is
$18,362,809 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is
$18,364,372, resulting in net unrealized depreciation of $1,563.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
46
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
March 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value (identified
cost $209,868,700) ............................ $209,867,138
Cash ........................................... 575,074
Receivable for:
Investments sold ............................. 3,902,370
Dividends .................................... 231,300
Shares of beneficial interest sold ........... 137,841
Interest ..................................... 4,106
Deferred organizational expenses................ 131,277
Prepaid expenses and other assets............... 24,880
---------------
TOTAL ASSETS.................................. 214,873,986
---------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for:
Shares of beneficial interest repurchased .... 426,429
Plan of distribution fee...................... 227,745
Investments purchased......................... 175,000
Investment management fee..................... 148,608
Accrued expenses ............................... 169,973
---------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES ............................ 1,147,755
---------------
NET ASSETS:
Paid-in-capital................................. 248,871,149
Net unrealized depreciation .................... (1,563)
Accumulated net realized loss .................. (35,143,355)
---------------
NET ASSETS ................................... $213,726,231
===============
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE,
23,919,146 shares outstanding (unlimited
shares authorized of $.01 par value) .......... $8.94
===============
</TABLE>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended March 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
INCOME
Dividends (net of $68,738 foreign
withholding tax) ............................ $ 1,376,455
Interest ..................................... 945,171
---------------
TOTAL INCOME ............................... 2,321,626
---------------
EXPENSES
Plan of distribution fee ..................... 2,733,235
Investment management fee .................... 2,043,107
Transfer agent fees and expenses ............. 514,587
Registration fees ............................ 45,569
Shareholder reports and notices .............. 43,804
Organizational expenses ...................... 35,839
Professional fees ............................ 28,312
Custodian fees ............................... 17,659
Trustees' fees and expenses .................. 17,381
Other ........................................ 5,698
---------------
TOTAL EXPENSES.............................. 5,485,191
---------------
NET INVESTMENT LOSS ........................ (3,163,565)
---------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS:
Net realized loss on:
Investments ................................ (32,888,142)
Foreign exchange transactions .............. (14,485)
---------------
NET LOSS ................................... (32,902,627)
---------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation on:
Investments ................................ (12,858,029)
Translation of other assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies ........ (71)
---------------
NET DEPRECIATION ........................... (12,858,100)
---------------
NET LOSS ................................... (45,760,727)
---------------
NET DECREASE ................................. $(48,924,292)
===============
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
47
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR NOVEMBER 28, 1995*
ENDED THROUGH
MARCH 31, 1997 MARCH 31, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS:
Net investment loss ................................... $ (3,163,565) $ (274,103)
Net realized loss ..................................... (32,902,627) (2,243,508)
Net change in unrealized appreciation ................. (12,858,100) 12,856,537
-------------- ------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) ............................. (48,924,292) 10,338,926
Dividends from net investment income .................. -- (92,429)
Net increase from transactions in shares of beneficial
interest ............................................. 55,329,540 196,974,486
-------------- ------------------
NET INCREASE ........................................ 6,405,248 207,220,983
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period.................................... 207,320,983 100,000
-------------- ------------------
END OF PERIOD ....................................... $213,726,231 $207,320,983
============== ==================
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Commencement of operations.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
48
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 1997
1. ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Dean Witter Information Fund (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end
management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is long-term
capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in common stocks and securities convertible into common
stocks of domestic and foreign companies which are involved in the
communications and information industry. The Fund was organized as a
Massachusetts business trust on December 8, 1994 and had no other operations
other than those relating to organizational matters and the issuance of
10,000 shares of beneficial interest for $100,000 to Dean Witter InterCapital
Inc. (the "Investment Manager") to effect the Fund's initial capitalization.
The Fund commenced operations on November 28, 1995.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:
A. VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS -- (1) an equity security listed or traded on the
New York, American or other domestic or foreign stock exchange is valued at
its latest sale price on that exchange prior to the time when assets are
valued; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the latest
bid price (in cases where securities are traded on more than one exchange,
the securities are valued on the exchange designated as the primary market
pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees); (2) all other portfolio
securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available
are valued at the latest available bid price prior to the time of valuation;
(3) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances
under which it is determined by the Investment Manager that sale or bid
prices are not reflective of a security's market value, portfolio securities
are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures
established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees; and (4)
short-term debt securities having a maturity date of more than sixty days at
time of purchase are valued on a mark-to-market basis until sixty days prior
to maturity and thereafter at amortized cost based on their value on the 61st
day. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date of sixty days or less
at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost.
B. ACCOUNTING FOR INVESTMENTS -- Security transactions are accounted for on
the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains
and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost
method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the
ex-dividend date
49
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 1997, continued
except for certain dividends on foreign securities which are recorded as soon
as the Fund is informed after the ex-dividend date. Discounts are accreted
over the life of the respective securities. Interest income is accrued daily.
C. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION -- The books and records of the Fund are
maintained in U.S. dollars as follows: (1) the foreign currency market value
of investment securities, other assets and liabilities and forward foreign
currency contracts are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the end
of the period; and (2) purchases, sales, income and expenses are translated
at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such
transactions. The resultant exchange gains and losses are included in the
Statement of Operations as realized and unrealized gain/loss on foreign
exchange transactions. Pursuant to U.S. Federal income tax regulations,
certain foreign exchange gains/losses included in realized and unrealized
gain/loss are included in or are a reduction of ordinary income for federal
income tax purposes. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of
operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from
the changes in the market prices of the securities.
D. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS -- The Fund may enter into forward
foreign currency contracts which are valued daily at the appropriate exchange
rates. The resultant unrealized exchange gains and losses are included in the
Statement of Operations as unrealized foreign currency gain or loss and in
the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as part of the related foreign
currency denominated asset or liability. The Fund records realized gains or
losses on delivery of the currency or at the time the forward contract is
extinguished (compensated) by entering into a closing transaction prior to
delivery.
E. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required.
F. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS -- The Fund records dividends
and distributions to its shareholders on the ex-dividend date. The amount of
dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized
capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax
regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
These "book/tax" differences are either considered temporary or permanent in
nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts
are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis
treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends
and distributions which exceed net
50
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 1997, continued
investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting
purposes but not for tax purposes are reported as dividends in excess of net
investment income or distributions in excess of net realized capital gains.
To the extent they exceed net investment income and net realized capital
gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of
paid-in-capital.
G. ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES -- The Investment Manager paid the organizational
expenses of the Fund in the amount of approximately $179,000 which have been
reimbursed for the full amount thereof. Such expenses have been deferred and
are being amortized on the straight-line method over a period not to exceed
five years from commencement of operations.
2. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment
Manager a management fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the
annual rate of 0.75% to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close
of each business day. Effective May 1, 1997, the annual rate will be reduced
to 0.725% of the net assets in excess of $500 million.
Under the terms of the Agreement, in addition to managing the Fund's
investments, the Investment Manager maintains certain of the Fund's books and
records and furnishes, at its own expense, office space, facilities,
equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and certain legal services and pays the
salaries of all personnel, including officers of the Fund who are employees
of the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager also bears the cost of
telephone services, heat, light, power and other utilities provided to
the Fund.
3. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the
"Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager. The Fund has adopted
a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act
pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor compensation, 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 Fund's
inception (not including reinvestment of dividend or capital gain
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 upon which such charge has been waived; or
(b) the Fund's average daily net assets. Amounts paid under the Plan are paid
to the Distributor to compensate it for the services provided and the
expenses borne by it and others in the distribution of the Fund's shares,
including the payment of commissions for sales of the Fund's shares
51
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 1997, continued
and incentive compensation to, and expenses of, the account executives of
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and
Distributor, and other employees or selected broker-dealers who engage in or
support distribution of the Fund's 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 be compensated under the Plan for its
opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in
the form of a carrying charge on any unreimbursed expenses incurred by the
Distributor.
Provided that the Plan continues in effect, any cumulative expenses incurred
but not yet recovered may be recovered through future distribution fees from
the Fund and contingent deferred sales charges from the Fund's shareholders.
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. The Distributor has
advised the Fund that such excess amounts, including carrying charges,
totaled $12,988,417 at March 31, 1997.
The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the year ended March 31, 1997,
it received approximately $874,000 in contingent deferred sales charges from
certain redemptions of the Fund's shares.
4. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities,
excluding short-term investments, for the year ended March 31, 1997
aggregated $372,276,351 and $327,439,957, respectively.
For the year ended March 31, 1997, the Fund incurred brokerage commissions of
$73,538 with DWR for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.
Dean Witter Trust Company, an affiliate of the Investment Manager and
Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. At March 31, 1997, the Fund had
transfer agent fees and expenses payable of approximately $88,000.
52
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 1997, continued
5. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR NOVEMBER 28, 1995*
ENDED THROUGH
MARCH 31, 1997 MARCH 31, 1996
----------------------------- -----------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sold...................... 12,321,396 $136,279,927 19,923,449 $202,231,632
Reinvestment of
dividends................ -- -- 8,519 85,362
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
12,321,396 136,279,927 19,931,968 202,316,994
Repurchased............... (7,831,515) (80,950,387) (512,703) (5,342,508)
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net increase.............. 4,489,881 $ 55,329,540 19,419,265 $196,974,486
============== ============== ============== ==============
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Commencement of operations.
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
At March 31, 1997, the Fund had a net capital loss carryover of approximately
$19,779,000 which will be available through March 31, 2005 to offset future
capital gains to the extent provided by regulations.
Capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31 ("post-October
losses") within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business
day of the Fund's next taxable year. The Fund incurred and will elect to
defer net capital and foreign currency losses of approximately $14,822,000
and $11,800, respectively, during fiscal 1997.
As of March 31, 1997, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily
attributable to post-October losses and capital loss deferrals on wash sales.
The Fund had permanent book/tax differences primarily attributable to a net
operating loss. To reflect reclassifications arising from the permanent
differences, paid-in-capital was charged $3,166,345, net investment loss was
credited $3,163,565 and accumulated net realized loss was credited $2,780.
7. PURPOSES OF AND RISKS RELATING TO CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts ("forward
contracts") to facilitate settlement of foreign currency denominated
portfolio transactions or to manage foreign currency exposure associated with
foreign currency denominated securities.
Forward contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts
reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk
of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rates underlying the forward
contracts. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the
potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their
contracts.
At March 31, 1997, there were no outstanding forward foreign currency
contracts used to facilitate settlement of foreign currency denominated
portfolio transactions.
53
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR NOVEMBER 28, 1995*
ENDED THROUGH
MARCH 31, 1997 MARCH 31, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period ............. $ 10.67 $10.00
------------------
Net investment loss .............................. (0.13) (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) ......... (1.60) 0.69
-------------- ------------------
Total from investment operations ................. (1.73) 0.68
Less dividends in excess of net investment income -- (0.01)
-------------- ------------------
Net asset value, end of period ................... $ 8.94 $10.67
============== ==================
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ ........................ (16.31)% 6.77%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ......................................... 2.01% 2.31%(2)
Net investment loss .............................. (1.16)% (0.51)%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands ......... $213,726 $207,321
Portfolio turnover rate .......................... 132% 8%(1)
Average commission rate paid ..................... $0.0527 $0.0496
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Commencement of operations.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the
net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
54
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TRUSTEES
OF DEAN WITTER INFORMATION FUND
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,
including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of
operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Dean Witter
Information Fund (the "Fund") at March 31, 1997, the results of its
operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the
financial highlights for the year then ended and for the period November 28,
1995 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 1996, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements and
financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are
the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted
our audits of these financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at March
31, 1997 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
May 9, 1997
55
