DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
485BPOS, 1997-01-28
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<PAGE>
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 28, 1997
    
 
                                                    REGISTRATION NOS.:  33-61511
                                                                        811-7333
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ----------------
 
                                   FORM N-1A
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933                     /X/
 
                         PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.                         / /
   
                       POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2                        /X/
    
                                     AND/OR
              REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
                                  ACT OF 1940                                /X/
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 3                              /X/
    
                                ----------------
 
                     DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
 
                        (A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST)
 
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
 
                             TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
 
                    (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
 
       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 392-1600
 
                              SHELDON CURTIS, ESQ.
                             TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
 
                    (NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                    COPY TO:
 
                            DAVID M. BUTOWSKY, ESQ.
                  GORDON ALTMAN BUTOWSKY WEITZEN SHALOV & WEIN
                              114 WEST 47TH STREET
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
                                ----------------
 
                 APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
 
      IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE (CHECK APPROPRIATE
                                      BOX)
 
   
       /X/ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
       / / on (date), pursuant to paragraph (b)
       / / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
       / / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485.
    
 
   
    THE  REGISTRANT HAS REGISTERED AN INDEFINITE  NUMBER OF ITS SHARES UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  PURSUANT TO  SECTION  (A)(1) OF  RULE 24F-2  UNDER  THE
INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT OF 1940. THE REGISTRANT  FILED THE RULE 24F-2 NOTICE FOR
ITS FISCAL  YEAR ENDING  NOVEMBER  30, 1996  WITH  THE SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON JANUARY 8, 1997.
    
           AMENDING THE PROSPECTUS AND UPDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                     DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
 
                                   FORM N-1A
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     ITEM                                                        CAPTION
- -----------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>
PART A                                                                         PROSPECTUS
 1.  ..........................................  Cover Page
 2.  ..........................................  Summary of Fund Expenses; Prospectus Summary
 3.  ..........................................  Financial Highlights; Performance Information
                                                 Investment Objective and Policies; The Fund and its Management; Cover
 4.  ..........................................   Page; Investment Restrictions; Prospectus Summary; Risk Considerations
                                                 The Fund and Its Management; Back Cover; Investment Objective and
 5.  ..........................................   Policies
 6.  ..........................................  Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Additional Information
 7.  ..........................................  Purchase of Fund Shares; Shareholder Services; Prospectus Summary
 8.  ..........................................  Redemptions and Repurchases; Shareholder Services
 9.  ..........................................  Not Applicable
 
PART B                                                             STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10.  ..........................................  Cover Page
11.  ..........................................  Table of Contents
12.  ..........................................  The Fund and Its Management
                                                 Investment Practices and Policies; Investment Restrictions; Portfolio
13.  ..........................................   Transactions and Brokerage
14.  ..........................................  The Fund and Its Management; Trustees and Officers
15.  ..........................................  The Fund and Its Management; Trustees and Officers
                                                 The Fund and Its Management; The Distributor; Custodian and Transfer
16.  ..........................................   Agent; Independent Accountants; Shareholder Services
17.  ..........................................  Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
18.  ..........................................  Description of Shares
                                                 The Distributor; Redemptions and Repurchases; Financial Statements;
19.  ..........................................   Determination of Net Asset Value; Shareholder Services
20.  ..........................................  Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
21.  ..........................................  The Distributor
22.  ..........................................  Performance Information
23.  ..........................................  Experts; Financial Statements
</TABLE>
 
PART C
 
    Information  required  to be  included  in Part  C  is set  forth  under the
appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
   
              PROSPECTUS
JANUARY 28, 1997
    
 
   
              Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company whose investment objective is
long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to meet its investment objective
by investing primarily in the common stocks of U.S. companies that, in the
opinion of the Investment Manager, offer the potential for either superior
earnings growth and/or appear to be undervalued. Current income is not an
objective of the Fund. (See "Investment Objective and Policies.")
    
 
               Shares of the Fund are continuously offered at net asset value.
However, redemptions and/or repurchases are subject in most cases to a
contingent deferred sales charge, scaled down from 5% to 1% of the amount
redeemed, if made within six years of purchase, which charge will be paid to the
Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc. See "Redemptions and
Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge." In addition, the Fund pays the
Distributor a distribution fee pursuant to a Plan of Distribution at the annual
rate of 1.0% of the lesser of the (i) average daily aggregate net sales or (ii)
average daily net assets of the Fund. See "Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan of
Distribution."
 
   
               This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information you should
know before investing in the Fund. It should be read and retained for future
reference. Additional information about the Fund is contained in the Statement
of Additional Information, dated January 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 DISTRIBUTORS INC.
      DISTRIBUTOR
 
      TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
Prospectus Summary/2
Summary of Fund Expenses/3
Financial Highlights/4
The Fund and its Management/5
Investment Objective and Policies/5
  Risk Considerations/7
Investment Restrictions/13
Purchase of Fund Shares/13
Shareholder Services/16
Redemptions and Repurchases/18
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes/21
Performance Information/21
Additional Information/22
    
 
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
     Capital Appreciation Fund
     Two World Trade Center
     New York, New York 10048
     (212) 392-2550 or
     (800) 869-NEWS (Toll-Free)
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>
The Fund               The Fund is organized as a Trust, commonly known as a Massachusetts business trust, and is an open-end,
                       diversified management investment company. The Fund invests primarily in the common stocks of U.S.
                       companies that, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, offer the potential for either superior
                       earnings growth and/or appear to be undervalued. Current income is not an objective of the Fund.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Offered         Shares of beneficial interest with $.01 par value (see page 22).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering               At net asset value (see page 13). Shares redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a
Price                  contingent deferred sales charge under most circumstances (see page 18).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum                Minimum initial investment, $1,000 ($100 if the account is opened through EasyInvestSM); minimum
Purchase               subsequent investment, $100 (see page 13).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Objective   The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 101 investment companies and other portfolios with net assets under
                       management of approximately $90 billion at December 31, 1996. (see page 5).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management             The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund's daily net assets
Fee                    (see page 5).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and          Dividends from net investment income are paid at least annually. Capital gains, if any, are distributed
Distributions          at least annually or retained for reinvestment by the Fund. Dividends and capital gains distributions are
                       automatically reinvested in additional shares at net asset value (without sales charge), unless the
                       shareholder elects to receive cash (see page 20).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributor            Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor receives from the Fund a Rule 12b-1
and Distribution       distribution fee accrued daily and payable monthly at the rate of 1.0% per annum of the lesser of (i) the
Fee                    Fund's average daily aggregate net sales or (ii) the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee
                       compensates the Distributor for the services provided in distributing shares of the Fund which includes
                       payment of sales commissions to account executives and various other promotional and sales related
                       expenses. The Distributor also receives the proceeds of any contingent deferred sales charges (see page
                       14).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption--           Shares are redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value. An account may be involuntarily redeemed if
Contingent             the total value of the account is less than $100, or, if the account was opened through EasyInvest-SM- ,
Deferred               if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the account. Although no
Sales                  commission or sales load is imposed upon the purchase of shares, a contingent deferred sales charge
Charge                 (which declines from 5% to 1%) is imposed on any redemption of shares if after such redemption the
                       aggregate current value of an account with the Fund falls below the aggregate amount of the investor's
                       purchase payments made during the six years preceding the redemption. However, there is no charge imposed
                       on redemption of shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions (see page 18).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risks                  The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of its portfolio
                       securities. The market value of the Fund's portfolio securities will increase or decrease due to a
                       variety of economic, market or political factors which cannot be predicted. The Fund is intended for
                       long-term investors who can accept the risks involved in seeking long-term capital appreciation through
                       the investment primarily in the securities of companies that offer the potential for either superior
                       earnings growth and/or appear to be undervalued. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Investment
                       Manager has no general criteria as to a company's asset size, earnings or industry type. It should be
                       recognized that investing in such companies involves greater risk than is customarily associated with
                       investing in more established companies. The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers which
                       entails additional risks. The Fund may also invest in futures and options which may be considered
                       speculative in nature and may involve greater risks than those customarily assumed by other investment
                       companies which do not invest in such instruments. An investment in shares of the Fund should not be
                       considered a complete investment program and is not appropriate for all investors. Investors should
                       carefully consider their ability to assume these risks and the risks outlined under the heading "Risk
                       Considerations," (p. 7-12) before making an investment in the Fund.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
  THE ABOVE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING
                          ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS
                AND IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The  following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of
the Fund will incur. The  expenses and fees set forth  in the table are for  the
fiscal year ended November 30, 1996.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases.........   None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested
 Dividends........................................   None
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
  (as a percentage of the lesser of original
   purchase price or redemption proceeds).........   5.0%
      A contingent deferred sales charge is
      imposed at the following declining rates:
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE
PAYMENT MADE                                        PERCENTAGE
- --------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                 <C>
First.............................................      5.0%
Second............................................      4.0%
Third.............................................      3.0%
Fourth............................................      2.0%
Fifth.............................................      2.0%
Sixth.............................................      1.0%
Seventh and thereafter............................     None
</TABLE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
Redemption Fees...................................   None
Exchange Fee......................................   None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
 AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
- --------------------------------------------------
Management Fees...................................  0.75%
12b-1 Fees*.......................................  0.96%
Other Expenses....................................  0.29%
Total Fund Operating Expenses.....................  2.00%
<FN>
- ------------
 *  A PORTION OF  THE 12B-1 FEE EQUAL  TO 0.25% OF THE  FUND'S AVERAGE DAILY NET
   ASSETS IS  CHARACTERIZED AS  A SERVICE  FEE WITHIN  THE MEANING  OF  NATIONAL
   ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. ("NASD") GUIDELINES (SEE "PURCHASE OF
   FUND SHARES").
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    10
EXAMPLE                                             1 year    3 years   5 years    years
- --------------------------------------------------  -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
You  would pay the following  expenses on a $1,000
 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
 redemption at the end of each time period:.......    $70       $93       $128      $233
You would pay the  following expenses on the  same
 investment, assuming no redemption:..............    $20       $63       $108      $233
</TABLE>
    
 
    THE  ABOVE  EXAMPLE SHOULD  NOT BE  CONSIDERED A  REPRESENTATION OF  PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE.  ACTUAL EXPENSES OF THE  FUND MAY BE GREATER  OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
 
    The  purpose of this  table is to  assist the investor  in understanding the
various costs and expenses that  an investor in the  Fund will bear directly  or
indirectly.  For a  more complete description  of these costs  and expenses, see
"The Fund  and  its Management,"  "Plan  of Distribution"  and  "Redemption  and
Repurchases."
 
    Long-term  shareholders  of  the Fund  may  pay  more in  sales  charges and
distribution fees than the  economic equivalent of  the maximum front-end  sales
charges permitted by the NASD.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The  following ratios and per share data  for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period  have been audited  by Price Waterhouse  LLP,
independent  accountants.  The  per share  data  and  ratios should  be  read in
conjunction with the  financial statements,  notes thereto  and the  unqualified
report  of  independent  accountants which  are  contained in  the  Statement of
Additional Information. Further information about the performance of the Fund is
contained in the  Fund's Annual Report  to Shareholders, which  may be  obtained
without charge upon request to the Fund.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    FOR THE PERIOD
                                                 FOR THE YEAR      OCTOBER 27, 1995*
                                                     ENDED         THROUGH NOVEMBER
                                               NOVEMBER 30, 1996       30, 1995
                                               -----------------   -----------------
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
  Net asset value, beginning of period.......        $10.53              $10.00
                                               -----------------   -----------------
  Net investment loss........................         (0.15)              (0.01)
  Net realized and unrealized gain...........          2.61                0.54
                                               -----------------   -----------------
  Total from investment operations...........          2.46                0.53
                                               -----------------   -----------------
  Net asset value, end of period.............        $12.99              $10.53
                                               -----------------   -----------------
                                               -----------------   -----------------
  Total Investment Return+...................         23.36%               5.30%(1)
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
  Expenses...................................          2.00%               2.87%(2)
  Net investment loss........................        (1.72)%             (0.79)%(2)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
  Net assets, end of period, in thousands....       $310,809            $102,009
  Portfolio turnover rate....................           108%                  7%(1)
  Average commission rate paid...............       $0.0570             --
<FN>
- ------------
 *  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.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Dean   Witter  Capital  Appreciation  Fund  (the  "Fund")  is  an  open-end,
diversified, management investment  company. The  Fund is  a trust  of the  type
commonly  known as a "Massachusetts business  trust" and was organized under the
laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on July 31, 1995.
 
    Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital" or the "Investment  Manager"),
whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, is the Fund's
Investment  Manager.  The Investment  Manager, which  was incorporated  in July,
1992, is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Dean Witter,  Discover & Co. ("DWDC"),  a
balanced  financial services organization providing  a broad range of nationally
marketed credit and investment products.
 
   
    InterCapital and its wholly-owned  subsidiary, Dean Witter Services  Company
Inc.,   serve  in  various  investment   management,  advisory,  management  and
administrative capacities to 101 investment companies, 30 of which are listed on
the New York Stock Exchange, with combined assets of approximately $86.9 billion
at December 31, 1996. The Investment Manager also manages portfolios of  pension
plans,  other institutions  and individuals which  aggregated approximately $3.1
billion at such date.
    
 
    The Fund  has  retained the  Investment  Manager to  provide  administrative
services,  manage its business  affairs and manage the  investment of the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders  for the purchase and sale of  portfolio
securities.  InterCapital  has retained  Dean  Witter Services  Company  Inc. to
perform the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund.
 
    The Fund's Trustees  review the various  services provided by  or under  the
direction of the Investment Manager to ensure that the Fund's general investment
policies  and programs  are being properly  carried out  and that administrative
services are being provided to the Fund in a satisfactory manner.
 
   
    As full compensation for the services  and facilities furnished to the  Fund
and  for expenses of the  Fund assumed by the  Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager  monthly compensation  calculated daily  by applying  the
annual  rate of 0.75%  to the Fund's net  assets. This fee  is greater than that
paid by most other investment companies. For the fiscal year ended November  30,
1996, the Fund accrued total compensation to the Investment Manager amounting to
0.75% of the Fund's average net assets and the Fund's total expenses amounted to
2.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
    
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation. The
objective is a fundamental  policy of the  Fund and may  not be changed  without
shareholder approval. There is no assurance that the objective will be achieved.
 
    The  Fund  seeks to  achieve its  investment  objective by  investing, under
normal circumstances, at least 65% of its  total assets in the common stocks  of
U.S.  companies  that,  in the  opinion  of  the Investment  Manager,  offer the
potential for either superior earnings growth and/or appear to be undervalued.
 
    The Investment Manager  will base  the selection  of stocks  for the  Fund's
portfolio  on research and analysis, taking into account, among other factors, a
company's price/earnings ratio (that is whether the current stock price  appears
undervalued  in relation  to earnings, projected  cash flow, or  asset value per
share; or the price-to-earnings  ratio is attractive  relative to the  company's
underlying earnings
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
growth  rate), growth in sales, market-to-book ratio, the quality of a company's
balance sheet, sales-per-share and profitability  in order to determine  whether
the  current market valuation  is less than  the Investment Manager's  view of a
company's intrinsic value. Also, when  reviewing investments for selection,  the
Investment  Manager will  consider the  following characteristics  of a company:
capable management;  attractive  business  niches;  pricing  flexibility;  sound
financial  and accounting practices  and a demonstrated  ability or prospects to
consistently grow revenues, earnings and cash flow. Stocks may also be  selected
on  the  basis of  whether the  Investment Manager  believes that  the potential
exists for some catalyst (such as  increased investor attention, asset sales,  a
new product/innovation, or a change in management) to cause the stock's price to
rise.  Such  factors are  part of  the  Investment Manager's  overall investment
selection process.
 
    The Investment Manager has no general criteria as to asset size, earnings or
industry type which  would make  an investment  unsuitable for  purchase by  the
Fund.  In  addition,  since the  Investment  Manager is  seeking  investments in
companies whose securities may appear to be undervalued, there is no  limitation
on  the stock price  of any particular  investment. However, as  a result of the
selection process, which  focuses on  fundamentals in relation  to prices,  such
review  of investments  will include companies  with low-priced  stocks. In this
category are large companies with low-priced stocks (so called "fallen  angels")
which,  in the opinion of  the Investment Manager, may  appear to be undervalued
because they  are overlooked  by many  investors; may  not be  closely  followed
through  investment research and/or their prices may reflect pessimism about the
companies' (and/or  their industries')  outlook. Such  companies, by  virtue  of
their  stock  price,  may be  takeover  candidates. Low-priced  stocks  are also
associated with smaller companies whose securities' value may reflect a discount
because of smaller size and lack of research coverage, emerging growth companies
and private companies undergoing  their initial public  offering. The Fund  will
invest  in companies of all sizes. For a discussion of the risks of investing in
the securities of such companies, see "Risk Considerations" below.
 
    Consequently, the  Fund  looks for  quality  businesses with  an  investment
outlook based upon a mix of growth potential, financial strength and fundamental
value.  The  focus on  price  and fundamentals  sets  the Fund  apart  from pure
"growth" or pure "value" funds. The  Fund's holdings will be widely  diversified
by  industry and company  and under most  circumstances, at the  time of initial
purchase, the average position will be less than 1.5% of the Fund's net assets.
 
    In addition to U.S. common stock, up  to 35% of the Fund's total assets  may
be  invested  in  debt  or  preferred  equity  securities  convertible  into  or
exchangeable for equity securities, rights and warrants, when considered by  the
Investment Manager to be consistent with the Fund's investment objective. (For a
discussion  of the  risks of  investing in each  of these  securities, see "Risk
Considerations" below.)
 
    The Fund may also invest in other debt securities without regard to  quality
or  rating, if in the opinion of the Investment Manager such securities meet the
investment criteria of  the Fund. The  Fund will not  purchase a  non-investment
grade debt security (or junk bond) if, immediately after such purchase, the Fund
would have more than 5% of its total assets invested in such securities.
 
    The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in foreign securities, including
non-dollar   denominated  securities  traded  outside   of  the  U.S.  and  U.S.
dollar-denominated securities such as  ADRs. (For a discussion  of the risks  of
investing in foreign securities, see "Risk Considerations" below.)
 
    There may be periods during which, in the opinion of the Investment Manager,
market  conditions warrant a 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
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
in money market instruments or cash, including obligations issued or  guaranteed
as  to principal or  interest by the  United States Government,  its agencies or
instrumentalities, certificates  of  deposit,  bankers'  acceptances  and  other
obligations  of domestic banks  having total assets  of $1 billion  or more, and
short-term commercial  paper of  corporations organized  under the  laws of  any
state or political subdivision of the United States.
 
    The  securities in  which the  Fund invests may  or may  not be  listed on a
national stock exchange, but if they are  not so listed, will generally have  an
established over-the-counter market.
 
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
 
    Given  the investment risks described below,  an investment in shares of the
Fund should  not  be  considered  a  complete  investment  program  and  is  not
appropriate for all investors. Investors should carefully consider their ability
to assume these risks before making an investment in the Fund.
 
    The  net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in the
market value  of  its portfolio  securities.  The  market value  of  the  Fund's
portfolio  securities will  increase or decrease  due to a  variety of economic,
market or political factors which cannot be predicted. The Fund is intended  for
long-term  investors  who can  accept the  risks  involved in  seeking long-term
capital appreciation  through  the investment  primarily  in the  securities  of
companies  that offer the  potential for either  superior earnings growth and/or
appear to be undervalued. In selecting investments for the Fund, the  Investment
Manager  has  no general  criteria as  to  a company's  asset size,  earnings or
industry type. It should be recognized that investing in such companies involves
greater risk than is customarily  associated with investing in more  established
companies.
 
    The  Fund may invest in  securities of companies that  are not well known to
the investing public or  followed by many securities  analysts, with the  result
that   there  may  be  less   publicly  available  information  concerning  such
securities. Also, these securities may be more volatile in price and have  lower
trading volumes. In addition, while companies in which the Fund may invest often
have  sales and earnings growth rates which  may exceed those of large companies
and may be reflected in more rapid share price appreciation, such companies  may
have  limited operating histories, product lines, markets or financial resources
and they may  be dependent upon  one-person management. These  companies may  be
subject  to intense  competition from larger  companies. The  securities of such
companies may have limited  marketability and may be  subject to more abrupt  or
erratic  movements in price than securities of larger companies or in the market
averages in  general.  In  the  case  of  securities  of  large  companies  with
lower-priced  stock (the  so-called "fallen  angels"), the  risk associated with
such investment is that the price may continue to fall.
 
    RIGHTS AND WARRANTS.  The Fund may acquire rights and/or warrants which  are
attached  to  other  securities in  its  portfolio,  or which  are  issued  as a
distribution by the issuer  of a security held  in its portfolio. Rights  and/or
warrants  are, in  effect, options to  purchase equity securities  at a specific
price, generally valid for a specific period of time, and have no voting rights,
pay no dividends  and have  no rights with  respect to  the corporation  issuing
them.
 
    CONVERTIBLE  SECURITIES.    The  Fund may  acquire,  through  purchase  or a
distribution by the issuer of a  security held in its portfolio, a  fixed-income
security  which  is convertible  into common  stock  of the  issuer. Convertible
securities rank senior  to common  stocks in a  corporation's capital  structure
and,  therefore, entail less risk than the corporation's common stock. The value
of a convertible security is a function of its "investment value" (its value  as
if  it did  not have  a conversion privilege),  and its  "conversion value" (the
security's worth if  it were  to be exchanged  for the  underlying security,  at
market value, pursuant to its conversion privilege).
 
    To the extent that a convertible security's investment value is greater than
its  conversion  value,  its  price  will  be  primarily  a  reflection  of such
investment
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
value and its  price will be  likely to  increase when interest  rates fall  and
decrease  when interest rates rise, as  with a fixed-income security (the credit
standing of  the  issuer and  other  factors may  also  have an  effect  on  the
convertible  security's value). If  the conversion value  exceeds the investment
value, the price  of the  convertible security  will rise  above its  investment
value  and, in addition,  will sell at  some premium over  its conversion value.
(This premium  represents  the  price  investors are  willing  to  pay  for  the
privilege  of purchasing a  fixed-income security with  a possibility of capital
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. A portion of the convertible securities in which the
Fund may invest may be unrated or,  if rated, rated below investment grade by  a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
 
    FOREIGN  SECURITIES.  The Fund  may invest up to 10%  of its total assets in
foreign securities. Foreign securities investments may be affected by changes in
currency  rates  or  exchange  control  regulations,  changes  in   governmental
administration  or economic or monetary policy (in the United States and abroad)
or changed  circumstances  in  dealings between  nations.  Fluctuations  in  the
relative  rates of  exchange between  the currencies  of different  nations will
affect the  value of  the Fund's  investments denominated  in foreign  currency.
Changes  in foreign  currency exchange  rates relative  to the  U.S. dollar will
affect the U.S. dollar value of  the Fund's assets denominated in that  currency
and thereby impact upon the Fund's total return on such assets.
 
    Foreign  currency  exchange rates  are determined  by  forces of  supply and
demand on the foreign exchange markets. These forces are themselves affected  by
the   international  balance  of  payments  and  other  economic  and  financial
conditions, government intervention,  speculation and  other factors.  Moreover,
foreign currency exchange rates may be affected by the regulatory control of the
exchanges  on which the  currencies trade. The  foreign currency transactions of
the Fund will be conducted on a  spot basis or through forward foreign  currency
exchange  contracts  (described below).  The Fund  will  incur certain  costs in
connection with these currency transactions.
 
    Investments in  foreign  securities will  also  occasion risks  relating  to
political  and  economic  developments  abroad,  including  the  possibility  of
expropriations or confiscatory taxation, limitations  on the use or transfer  of
Fund   assets  and  any  effects  of   foreign  social,  economic  or  political
instability. Foreign companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements of
U.S. companies and, as  such, there may be  less publicly available  information
about  such companies.  Moreover, foreign companies  are not  subject to uniform
accounting,  auditing  and  financial   reporting  standards  and   requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
 
    Securities  of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable securities
of U.S.  issuers  and,  as such,  their  price  changes may  be  more  volatile.
Furthermore,  foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally subject to less
government  and   exchange  scrutiny   and   regulation  than   their   American
counterparts.  Brokerage commissions,  dealer concessions  and other transaction
costs may be higher on foreign markets than in the U.S. In addition, differences
in clearance and settlement procedures on foreign markets may occasion delays in
settlements of  the  Fund's  trades  effected in  such  markets.  As  such,  the
inability  to dispose  of portfolio  securities due  to settlement  delays could
result in  losses to  the  Fund due  to subsequent  declines  in value  of  such
securities and the inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due
to settlement problems could result in a failure of the Fund to make potentially
advantageous investments.
 
    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
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
Fund  will  sell  back  to  the  institution,  and  that  the  institution  will
repurchase, the underlying security at a specified price and at a fixed time  in
the  future, usually not more  than seven days from  the date of purchase. While
repurchase  agreements  involve  certain   risks  not  associated  with   direct
investments  in debt securities, including the risks of default or bankruptcy of
the selling financial institution, the Fund follows procedures to minimize  such
risks.  These  procedures include  effecting  repurchase transactions  only with
large,  well-capitalized   and  well-established   financial  institutions   and
maintaining adequate collateralization.
 
    WHEN-ISSUED  AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES  AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS.  From
time to  time,  in  the ordinary  course  of  business, the  Fund  may  purchase
securities  on a when-issued or  delayed delivery basis or  may purchase or sell
securities on a forward commitment basis. When such transactions are negotiated,
the price is fixed at the time  of the commitment, but delivery and payment  can
take place a month or more after the date of the commitment. There is no overall
limit  on the  percentage of  the Fund's  assets which  may be  committed to the
purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward  commitment
basis.  An increase  in the  percentage of  the Fund's  assets committed  to the
purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward  commitment
basis  may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. An increase in
the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the volatility of the  Fund's
net asset value.
 
    WHEN,  AS AND IF ISSUED  SECURITIES.  The Fund  may purchase securities on a
"when, as and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the security  depends
upon  the  occurrence of  a  subsequent event,  such  as approval  of  a merger,
corporate  reorganization,  leveraged  buyout  or  debt  restructuring.  If  the
anticipated  event does not  occur and the  securities are not  issued, the Fund
will have  lost an  investment opportunity.  There is  no overall  limit on  the
percentage  of  the Fund's  assets which  may  be committed  to the  purchase of
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis. An increase in the percentage of
the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and  if
issued" basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value.
 
    INVESTMENT  IN REAL  ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS.  The Fund may  invest in real
estate investment trusts, which pool investors' funds for investments  primarily
in  commercial  real estate  properties.  Investment in  real  estate investment
trusts may be the most practical available  means for the Fund to invest in  the
real  estate  industry (the  Fund is  prohibited from  investing in  real estate
directly). As a shareholder  in a real estate  investment trust, the Fund  would
bear its ratable share of the real estate investment trust'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 real estate investment trusts.
 
    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
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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 10% 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.
    
 
    OPTIONS AND FUTURE  TRANSACTIONS.  The  Fund may purchase  and sell  (write)
call  and put  options on portfolio  securities which are  denominated in either
U.S.  dollars  or  foreign  currencies  and  on  the  U.S.  dollar  and  foreign
currencies, which are or may in the future be listed on several U.S. and foreign
securities  exchanges  or  are written  in  over-the-counter  transactions ("OTC
options"). OTC  options are  purchased  from or  sold  (written) to  dealers  or
financial institutions which have entered into direct agreements with the Fund.
 
    The  Fund is permitted to write covered call options on portfolio securities
and the U.S.  dollar and foreign  currencies, without limit,  in order to  hedge
against  the  decline in  the  value of  a security  or  currency in  which such
security is denominated and  to close out long  call option positions. The  Fund
may  write covered put options, under which the Fund incurs an obligation to buy
the security (or currency) underlying the  option from the purchaser of the  put
at  the option's  exercise price at  any time  during the option  period, at the
purchaser's election.
 
    The Fund  may  purchase listed  and  OTC call  and  put options  in  amounts
equalling  up to 5% of  its total assets. The Fund  may purchase call options to
close out a covered call position or to protect against an increase in the price
of a security it  anticipates purchasing or,  in the case of  call options on  a
foreign  currency,  to hedge  against  an adverse  exchange  rate change  of the
currency  in  which  the  security  it  anticipates  purchasing  is  denominated
vis-a-vis  the currency in which the exercise price is denominated. The Fund may
purchase put options on  securities which it holds  in its portfolio to  protect
itself  against a decline in the value of  the security and to close out written
put positions in a manner similar to call option closing purchase  transactions.
There  are  no other  limits  on the  Fund's ability  to  purchase call  and put
options.
 
    The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts that are currently  traded,
or  may in  the future  be traded,  on U.S.  and foreign  commodity exchanges on
underlying portfolio securities, on any  currency ("currency" futures), on  U.S.
and foreign fixed-income securities ("interest rate" futures)
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
and  on such indexes of U.S. or foreign equity or fixed-income securities as may
exist or  come into  being ("index"  futures).  The Fund  may purchase  or  sell
interest  rate futures contracts for  the purpose of hedging  some or all of the
value of its portfolio securities (or anticipated portfolio securities)  against
changes  in  prevailing interest  rates.  The Fund  may  purchase or  sell index
futures contracts for the purpose  of hedging some or  all of its portfolio  (or
anticipated  portfolio)  securities  against  changes in  their  prices  (or the
currency in which they  are denominated). As a  futures contract purchaser,  the
Fund  incurs  an  obligation to  take  delivery  of a  specified  amount  of the
obligation underlying  the contract  at a  specified time  in the  future for  a
specified  price.  As  a  seller  of a  futures  contract,  the  Fund  incurs an
obligation to deliver  the specified amount  of the underlying  obligation at  a
specified time in return for an agreed upon price.
 
    The  Fund  also may  purchase  and write  call  and put  options  on futures
contracts which are traded  on an exchange and  enter into closing  transactions
with respect to such options to terminate an existing position.
 
    New  futures  contracts, options  and other  financial products  and various
combinations thereof continue to be developed.  The Fund may invest in any  such
futures,  options or products as may be developed, to the extent consistent with
its investment objective and applicable regulatory requirements.
 
    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 to
the  daily limit on successive days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate a
futures position until the daily limit moves have ceased.
 
    While the futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by the
Fund for  the  purpose  of  hedging the  Fund's  portfolio  securities  are  not
speculative  in nature, there are risks inherent in the use of such instruments.
One such risk is that the  Investment Manager or Sub-Advisor could be  incorrect
in  its expectations as to  the direction or extent  of various interest rate or
price movements or  the time  span within which  the movements  take place.  For
example,  if  the Fund  sold futures  contracts  for the  sale of  securities in
anticipation of an increase in interest rates, and then interest rates went down
instead, causing bond prices  to rise, the  Fund would lose  money on the  sale.
Another  risk which will arise in employing futures contracts to protect against
the price volatility of portfolio securities  is that the prices of  securities,
currencies  and indexes  subject to futures  contracts (and  thereby the futures
contract prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the U.S.  dollar
cash prices of the Fund's portfolio securities and their denominated currencies.
See the Statement of Additional Information for a further discussion of risks.
 
   
    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
the  aggregate in shares of other 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  stock  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,  and investment in real
estate investment trusts may be the most practical available means for the  Fund
to  invest in the real estate industry (the Fund is prohibited from investing in
real estate directly). As a shareholder in an investment company or real  estate
investment  trust,  the  Fund would  bear  its  ratable share  of  that entity's
expenses, including its advisory and administration  fees. At the same time  the
Fund  would  continue  to  pay  its own  investment  management  fees  and other
expenses, as a result
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
of which the  Fund and its  shareholders in effect  will be absorbing  duplicate
levels  of fees with respect to investments in other investment companies and in
real estate investment trusts.
 
    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.
 
    For  additional risk disclosure,  please refer to  the "Investment Objective
and Policies" section  of the Prospectus  and to the  "Investment Practices  and
Policies" section of the Statement of Additional Information.
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
 
   
    The  Fund's portfolio is  actively managed by its  Investment Manager with a
view  to  achieving  the  Fund's  investment  objective.  In  determining  which
securities  to  purchase for  the  Fund or  hold  in the  Fund's  portfolio, the
Investment Manager  will rely  on information  from various  sources,  including
research,  analysis and appraisals of brokers and dealers, the views of Trustees
of the Fund and others regarding economic developments and interest rate trends,
and the Investment  Manager's own analysis  of factors they  deem relevant.  The
Fund's portfolio is managed within InterCapital's Growth Group, which manages 27
funds  and fund  portfolios, with  approximately $12.1  billion in  assets as of
December 31, 1996. Ronald Worobel, Senior  Vice President of InterCapital and  a
member  of InterCapital's Growth Group, is  the primary portfolio manager of the
Fund and has been a portfolio manager  at InterCapital since June, 1992. He  was
the  Managing  Director  at MacKay  Schields  Financial Corp.  before  coming to
InterCapital.
    
 
    Personnel of the Investment Manager  have substantial experience in the  use
of  the investment  techniques described  above under  the heading  "Options and
Futures Transactions,"  which techniques  require  skills different  from  those
needed to select the portfolio securities underlying various options and futures
contracts.
 
    Orders  for  transactions in  portfolio  securities and  commodities  may be
placed for  the  Fund with  a  number of  brokers  and dealers,  including  DWR.
Pursuant  to an order  of the Securities  and Exchange Commission,  the Fund may
effect principal  transactions in  certain money  market instruments  with  Dean
Witter  Reynolds  Inc.  ("DWR"),  a broker-dealer  affiliate  of  the Investment
Manager. In addition, the Fund  may incur brokerage commissions on  transactions
conducted through DWR.
 
    Although  the Fund does not  intend to engage in  short-term trading, it may
sell portfolio securities without  regard to the length  of time they have  been
held  when such sale will, in the  opinion of the Investment Manager, contribute
to the  Fund's investment  objective.  It is  not  anticipated that  the  Fund's
portfolio turnover rate will exceed 300% in any one year.
 
    The Fund will incur brokerage costs commensurate with its portfolio turnover
rate.  Short term gains and losses  may result from such portfolio transactions.
See  "Dividends,  Distributions  and  Taxes"   for  a  discussion  of  the   tax
implications  of the Fund's  trading policy. A more  extensive discussion of the
Fund's portfolio brokerage policies is set forth in the Statement of  Additional
Information.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  investment restrictions listed  below are among  the restrictions which
have been adopted  by the  Fund as  fundamental policies.  Under the  Investment
Company  Act of 1940,  as amended (the  "Act"), a fundamental  policy may not be
changed without the vote of a  majority of the outstanding voting securities  of
the  Fund, as defined in the Act. For purposes of the following limitations: (i)
all percentage  limitations  apply  immediately  after  a  purchase  or  initial
investment,  and  (ii)  any  subsequent  change  in  any  applicable  percentage
resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets  does
not require elimination of any security from the portfolio.
 
    The Fund may not:
 
   1.  Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in the securities of
any one issuer  (other than  obligations issued,  or guaranteed  by, the  United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities).
 
   2.  Invest 25%  or more  of the value  of its  total assets  in securities of
issuers in any  one industry.  This restriction  does not  apply to  obligations
issued   or  guaranteed  by  the  United  States  Government,  its  agencies  or
instrumentalities.
 
   3. Invest more  than 5% of  the value of  its total assets  in securities  of
issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three years of
continuous  operation. This restriction shall not apply to any obligation issued
or   guaranteed   by   the   United   States   Government,   its   agencies   or
instrumentalities.
 
   4. The Fund may not, as to 75% of its total assets, purchase more than 10% of
the voting securities of any issuer.
 
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  Fund offers its  shares for sale  to the public  on a continuous basis.
Pursuant  to  a  Distribution  Agreement  between  the  Fund  and  Dean   Witter
Distributors  Inc. (the "Distributor"), an  affiliate of the Investment Manager,
shares of the Fund  are distributed by  the Distributor and  offered by DWR  and
other  dealers  who  have  entered  into  selected  dealer  agreements  with the
Distributor ("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The  principal executive office of  the
Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
 
    The minimum initial purchase is $1,000. Minimum subsequent purchases of $100
or  more  may  be  made by  sending  a  check, payable  to  Dean  Witter Capital
Appreciation Fund, directly to Dean Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer  Agent")
at P.O. Box 1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303 or by contacting an account executive of
DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer. The minimum initial purchase in the case of
investments   through  EasyInvest-SM-   ,  an   automatic  purchase   plan  (see
"Shareholder Services"),  is  $100,  provided that  the  schedule  of  automatic
investments  will result  in investments  totalling at  least $1,000  within the
first twelve months. In the case  of investments pursuant to Systematic  Payroll
Deduction  Plans  (including  Individual  Retirement Plans),  the  Fund,  in its
discretion, may accept investments without  regard to any minimum amounts  which
would  otherwise be required if  the Fund has reason  to believe that additional
investments will increase the investment in all accounts under such Plans to  at
least  $1,000. Certificates  for shares  purchased will  not be  issued unless a
request is  made  by the  shareholder  in writing  to  the Transfer  Agent.  The
offering  price will be the net asset  value per share next determined following
receipt of an order (see "Determination of Net Asset Value").
 
    Shares of  the Fund  are sold  through  the Distributor  on a  normal  three
business day settlement basis; that is, payment is due on the third business day
(settlement date) after the order is placed with
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
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. While no sales charge is imposed at the time shares
are purchased, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed at the time  of
redemption  (see "Redemptions and Repurchases"). Sales personnel are compensated
for selling shares  of the Fund  at the time  of their sale  by the  Distributor
and/or  the Selected  Broker-Dealer. In  addition, some  sales personnel  of the
Selected Broker-Dealer will  receive various types  of non-cash compensation  as
special  sales incentives, including trips, educational and/or business seminars
and merchandise. The Fund  and the Distributor reserve  the right to reject  any
purchase orders.
    
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act  (the "Plan"),  under which the  Fund pays  the Distributor a  fee, which is
accrued daily and payable monthly, at an  annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser  of:
(a)  the average  daily aggregate  gross sales  of the  Fund's shares  since the
inception of the Fund (not including reinvestments of dividends or capital gains
distributions), less the average daily aggregate  net asset value of the  Fund's
shares  redeemed since  the Fund's  inception upon  which a  contingent deferred
sales charge has been  imposed or waived;  or (b) the  Fund's average daily  net
assets. This fee is treated by the Fund as an expense in the year it is accrued.
 
    Amounts  paid  under  the Plan  are  paid  to the  Distributor  for services
provided  and  the  expenses  borne  by  the  Distributor  and  others  in   the
distribution  of the  Fund's shares,  including the  payment of  commissions for
sales of the  Fund's shares and  incentive compensation to  and expenses of  DWR
account executives and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or
who  service shareholder  accounts, including  overhead and  telephone expenses;
printing and distribution of  prospectuses and reports  used in connection  with
the  offering  of the  Fund's  shares to  other  than current  shareholders; and
preparation, printing  and  distribution  of sales  literature  and  advertising
materials.  In addition, the  Distributor may utilize fees  paid pursuant to the
Plan to compensate DWR and  other Selected Broker-Dealers for their  opportunity
costs  in advancing such amounts,  which compensation would be  in the form of a
carrying charge on any unreimbursed expenses.
 
   
    For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996, the Fund accrued payments under
the Plan amounting to $2,065,176, which amount  is equal to 0.96% of the  Fund's
average  daily net assets  for the fiscal  year. The payments  accrued under the
Plan were calculated pursuant  to clause (a) of  the compensation formula  under
the  Plan. Of  the amount accrued  under the  Plan, 0.25% of  the Fund's average
daily net assets is characterized  as a service fee  within the meaning of  NASD
guidelines.  The service fee is  a payment made for  personal service and/or the
maintenance of shareholder accounts.
    
 
    At any given time, the expenses in distributing shares of the Fund may be in
excess of the total of (i) the payments  made by the Fund pursuant to the  Plan,
and  (ii) the  proceeds of contingent  deferred sales charges  paid by investors
upon the  redemption of  shares  (see "Redemptions  and  Repurchases--Contingent
Deferred  Sales Charge"). For example, if $1 million in expenses in distributing
shares of the Fund had been incurred and $750,000 had been received as described
in (i)  and  (ii)  above, the  excess  expense  would amount  to  $250,000.  The
Distributor has advised the Fund that the excess
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
distribution  expenses (including the carrying  charge described above) totalled
$11,218,433 at November 30,  1996, which was  equal to 3.61%  of the Fund's  net
assets 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, if any, does not constitute a
liability of the Fund. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay
expenses incurred in excess of payments made to the Distributor under the  Plan,
and  the proceeds  of contingent deferred  sales charges paid  by investors upon
redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated the Trustees will
consider at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. Any cumulative
expenses incurred, but not yet recovered through distribution fees or contingent
deferred sales charges, may or may not be recovered through future  distribution
fees or contingent deferred sales charges.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The  net asset value per share of the  Fund is determined once daily at 4:00
p.m., New York time, on each day that  the New York Stock Exchange is open  (or,
on  days when  the New York  Stock Exchange closes  prior to 4:00  p.m., at such
earlier time), by taking the  value of all assets  of the Fund, subtracting  all
its  liabilities, dividing by the number  of shares outstanding and adjusting to
the nearest cent. The net asset value  per share will not be determined on  Good
Friday and on such other federal and non-federal holidays as are observed by the
New York Stock Exchange.
 
   
    In  the calculation of the  Fund's net asset value:  (1) an equity portfolio
security listed or traded on  the New York or  American Stock Exchange or  other
domestic  or foreign stock exchange  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 and bid  prices are not
reflective of  a security's  market value,  portfolio securities  are valued  at
their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and
under  the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. For valuation purposes,
quotations of foreign  portfolio securities,  other assets  and liabilities  and
forward  contracts stated  in foreign currency  are translated  into U.S. dollar
equivalents at the prevailing market  rates prior to the  close of the New  York
Stock  Exchange. Dividends receivable are accrued  as of the ex-dividend date or
as of the time that the relevant ex-dividend date and amounts become known.
    
 
    Short-term debt securities with remaining  maturities of sixty days or  less
at  the  time of  purchase are  valued  at amortized  cost, unless  the Trustees
determine such does  not reflect  the securities'  market value,  in which  case
these  securities  will be  valued  at their  fair  value as  determined  by the
Trustees.
 
   
    Certain of  the Fund's  portfolio securities  may be  valued by  an  outside
pricing service approved by the Fund's Trustees. The pricing service may utilize
a  matrix  system incorporating  security quality,  maturity  and coupon  as the
evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff, including
review of broker-dealer market price quotations, in determining what it believes
is the  fair  valuation of  the  portfolio  securities valued  by  such  pricing
service.
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    AUTOMATIC  INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND  DISTRIBUTIONS.  All income dividends
and capital gains distributions  are automatically paid  in full and  fractional
shares  of the  Fund (or,  if specified by  the shareholder,  any other open-end
investment  company  for  which   InterCapital  serves  as  investment   manager
(collectively,  with the Fund, the "Dean Witter Funds")), unless the shareholder
requests that they be paid  in cash. Shares as acquired  are not subject to  the
imposition  of a  contingent deferred  sales charge  upon their  redemption (see
"Redemptions and Repurchases").
 
    INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN CASH.  Any shareholder
who  receives  a  cash  payment   representing  a  dividend  or  capital   gains
distribution may invest such dividend or distribution at the net asset value per
share  next determined  after receipt  by the  Transfer Agent,  by returning the
check or the proceeds to the Transfer Agent within thirty days after the payment
date. Shares  so acquired  are not  subject to  the imposition  of a  contingent
deferred sales charge upon their redemption (see "Redemptions and Repurchases").
 
    EASYINVESTSM.    Shareholders  may  subscribe  to  EasyInvest,  an automatic
purchase plan  which  provides  for  any  amount  from  $100  to  $5,000  to  be
transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a semi-monthly,
monthly  or quarterly basis, to  the Transfer Agent for  investment in shares of
the Fund (see  "Purchase of  Fund Shares"  and "Redemptions  and Repurchases  --
Involuntary Redemption").
 
    SYSTEMATIC  WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  A  systematic withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal
Plan") is available  for shareholders  who own or  purchase shares  of the  Fund
having  a minimum value of $10,000 based  upon the then current net asset value.
The Withdrawal Plan provides  for monthly or  quarterly (March, June,  September
and  December) checks in any  dollar amount, not less than  $25, or in any whole
percentage of  the  account balance,  on  an annualized  basis.  Any  applicable
contingent  deferred sales charge  will be imposed on  shares redeemed under the
Withdrawal Plan  (See "Redemptions  and Repurchases--Contingent  Deferred  Sales
Charge").  Therefore, any shareholder participating  in the Withdrawal Plan will
have sufficient shares  redeemed from his  or her account  so that the  proceeds
(net of any applicable contingent deferred sales charge) to the shareholder will
be the designated monthly or quarterly amount.
 
    Withdrawal  Plan payments should  not be considered  as dividends, yields or
income. If periodic withdrawal plan payments continuously exceed net  investment
income  and net  capital gains,  the shareholder's  original investment  will be
correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.
 
    Shareholders should  contact  their  DWR  or  other  Selected  Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further information about any of the
above services.
 
    TAX-SHELTERED  RETIREMENT PLANS.  Retirement plans  are available for use by
corporations, the self-employed,  Individual Retirement  Accounts and  Custodial
Accounts  under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. Adoption of such
plans should be on advice of legal counsel or tax adviser.
 
    For further information  regarding plan administration,  custodial fees  and
other  details,  investors should  contact their  DWR  or other  Selected Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent.
 
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
 
    The Fund  makes  available  to  its  shareholders  an  "Exchange  Privilege"
allowing  the exchange  of shares of  the Fund  for shares of  other Dean Witter
Funds sold  with a  contingent deferred  sales charge  ("CDSC funds"),  and  for
shares  of Dean  Witter Short-Term U.S.  Treasury Trust,  Dean Witter Short-Term
Bond Fund, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Balanced Growth
Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund, Dean Witter
Interme-
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
diate Term U.S. Treasury Trust and five Dean Witter Funds which are money market
funds (the foregoing eleven non-CDSC funds are hereinafter collectively referred
to as the "Exchange Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of the  Fund
acquired  by purchase (not by exchange  or dividend reinvestment) have been held
for thirty days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares acquired  by
exchange or dividend reinvestment.
 
    An exchange to another CDSC fund or to any Exchange Fund that is not a money
market  fund is on the basis of the next calculated net asset value per share of
each fund after  the exchange order  is received. When  exchanging into a  money
market  fund from the Fund, shares  of the Fund are redeemed  out of the Fund at
their next calculated  net asset value  and the proceeds  of the redemption  are
used  to  purchase  shares of  the  money market  fund  at the  net  asset value
determined the following business day.  Subsequent exchanges between any of  the
money  market funds and any of the CDSC funds can be effected on the same basis.
No contingent  deferred sales  charge ("CDSC")  is imposed  at the  time of  any
exchange, although any applicable CDSC will be imposed upon ultimate redemption.
Shares of the Fund acquired in exchange for shares of another CDSC fund having a
different  CDSC schedule  than that  of this  Fund will  be subject  to the CDSC
schedule of this  Fund, even if  such shares are  subsequently re-exchanged  for
shares  of the  CDSC fund  originally purchased. During  the period  of time the
shareholder remains in the  Exchange Fund (calculated from  the last day of  the
month  in which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the holding period (for
the purpose of determining the rate of the CDSC) is frozen. If those shares  are
subsequently  reexchanged  for  shares  of  a  CDSC  fund,  the  holding  period
previously frozen when the first  exchange was made resumes  on the last day  of
the month in which shares of a CDSC fund are reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is based
upon  the time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in a
CDSC fund (see "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
However, in  the  case  of  shares  exchanged into  an  Exchange  Fund,  upon  a
redemption  of shares which  results in a  CDSC being imposed,  a credit (not to
exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be given in an amount equal to the  Exchange
Fund  12b-1  distribution  fees  incurred  on  or  after  that  date  which  are
attributable to  those  shares.  (Exchange  Fund  12b-1  distribution  fees  are
described in the prospectuses for those funds.)
 
    In  addition, shares of the  Fund may be acquired  in exchange for shares of
Dean Witter Funds sold  with a front-end sales  charge ("front-end sales  charge
funds"),  but shares  of the  Fund, however acquired,  may not  be exchanged for
shares of  front-end sales  charge funds.  Shares  of a  CDSC fund  acquired  in
exchange  for shares of a front-end sales charge fund (or in exchange for shares
of other Dean Witter  Funds for which  shares of a  front-end sales charge  fund
have been exchanged) are not subject to any CDSC upon their redemption.
 
    Purchases  and  exchanges should  be made  for  investment purposes  only. A
pattern of frequent  exchanges may  be deemed by  the Investment  Manager to  be
abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders and,
at  the Investment Manager's discretion, may be limited by the Fund's refusal to
accept additional purchases and/  or exchanges from  the investor. Although  the
Fund  does not  have any  specific definition of  what constitutes  a pattern of
frequent exchanges,  and  will  consider all  relevant  factors  in  determining
whether  a particular situation is abusive and contrary to the best interests of
the Fund and its other shareholders, investors should be aware that the Fund and
each of the other Dean Witter Funds  may in their discretion limit or  otherwise
restrict  the number of  times this Exchange  Privilege may be  exercised by any
investor. Any such restriction will be made  by the Fund on a prospective  basis
only,  upon notice  of the  shareholder not later  than ten  days following such
shareholder's  most  recent  exchange.  Also,  the  Exchange  Privilege  may  be
terminated  or  revised  at  any  time  by the  Fund  and/or  any  of  such Dean
Wit-
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
ter Funds for which shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such notice  as
may  be  required by  applicable  regulatory agencies.  Shareholders maintaining
margin accounts with DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer are referred to their
account executive  regarding restrictions  on  exchange of  shares of  the  Fund
pledged in the margin account.
 
    The  current prospectus for each  fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and  shareholders should obtain  a copy and  examine it  carefully
before  investing. Exchanges are  subject to the  minimum investment requirement
and any other conditions imposed  by each fund. In  the case of any  shareholder
holding  a share certificate or certificates, no exchanges may be made until all
applicable share  certificates have  been  received by  the Transfer  Agent  and
deposited  in the Shareholder's account. An exchange will be treated for federal
income tax purposes the same as a  repurchase or redemption of shares, on  which
the  shareholder may  realize a  capital gain or  loss. However,  the ability to
deduct capital losses on an exchange may be limited in situations where there is
an exchange of  shares within ninety  days after the  shares are purchased.  The
Exchange  Privilege is only available in states where an exchange may legally be
made.
 
    If DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer is the current dealer of record and
its account  numbers  are part  of  the account  information,  shareholders  may
initiate  an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of any of the Dean Witter
Funds (for which the Exchange Privilege is available) pursuant to this  Exchange
Privilege   by  contacting  their  account   executive  (no  Exchange  Privilege
Authorization Form is required). Other shareholders (and those shareholders  who
are  clients  of DWR  or another  Selected  Broker-Dealer but  who wish  to make
exchanges directly by writing or  telephoning the Transfer Agent) must  complete
and  forward to  the Transfer  Agent an  Exchange Privilege  Authorization Form,
copies of  which  may  be obtained  from  the  Transfer Agent,  to  initiate  an
exchange. If the Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be made in writing or
by contacting the Transfer Agent at (800) 869-NEWS (toll-free).
 
    The  Fund  will  employ  reasonable  procedures  to  confirm  that  exchange
instructions communicated over  the telephone are  genuine. Such procedures  may
include requiring various forms of personal identification such as name, mailing
address,  social security  or other tax  identification number and  DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealer account number (if any). Telephone instructions may  also
be recorded. If such procedures are not employed, the Fund may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
 
    Telephone exchange instructions will be accepted if received by the Transfer
Agent  between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00  p.m., New York time, on  any day the New York
Stock Exchange is  open. Any shareholder  wishing to make  an exchange, who  has
previously  filed an Exchange Privilege Authorization  Form and who is unable to
reach the Fund by  telephone, should contact  his or her  DWR or other  Selected
Broker-Dealer  account  executive, if  appropriate, or  make a  written exchange
request. Shareholders are  advised that  during periods of  drastic economic  or
market  changes, it  is possible that  the telephone exchange  procedures may be
difficult to implement, although this has not been the experience with the  Dean
Witter Funds in the past.
 
    Shareholders  should  contact  their  DWR  or  other  Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive  or  the Transfer  Agent  for further  information  about  the
Exchange Privilege.
 
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    REDEMPTION.   Shares of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at any time at the
net asset value per share next determined; however, such redemption proceeds may
be reduced by  the amount of  any applicable contingent  deferred sales  charges
(see    below).   If    shares   are    held   in    a   shareholder's   account
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
without a share certificate, a written request for redemption sent to the Fund's
Transfer Agent  at  P.O.  Box  983,  Jersey  City,  NJ  07303  is  required.  If
certificates  are  held by  the shareholder(s),  the shares  may be  redeemed by
surrendering the certificates with a written request for redemption, along  with
any additional information required by the Transfer Agent.
 
    CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE.  Shares of the Fund which are held for six
years or more after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month in which
the  shares were purchased) will  not be subject to  any charge upon redemption.
Shares redeemed sooner than six years after purchase may, however, be subject to
a charge upon  redemption. This charge  is called a  "contingent deferred  sales
charge"  ("CDSC"), which  will be  a percentage of  the dollar  amount of shares
redeemed and will be assessed  on an amount equal to  the lesser of the  current
market  value  or  the cost  of  the shares  being  redeemed. The  size  of this
percentage will depend upon how long the shares have been held, as set forth  in
the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       CONTINGENT DEFERRED
            YEAR SINCE                     SALES CHARGE
             PURCHASE                   AS A PERCENTAGE OF
           PAYMENT MADE                  AMOUNT REDEEMED
- -----------------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                  <C>
First..............................              5.0%
Second.............................              4.0%
Third..............................              3.0%
Fourth.............................              2.0%
Fifth..............................              2.0%
Sixth..............................              1.0%
Seventh and thereafter.............            None
</TABLE>
 
    A  CDSC will not be imposed on:  (i) any amount which represents an increase
in value of shares purchased within the six years preceding the redemption; (ii)
the current net asset value of shares purchased more than six years prior to the
redemption; and (iii) the  current net asset value  of shares purchased  through
reinvestment  of dividends or  distributions and/or shares  acquired in exchange
for shares of Dean Witter Funds sold  with a front-end sales charge or of  other
Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for such shares. Moreover, in determining
whether  a CDSC is applicable it will  be assumed that amounts described in (i),
(ii) and (iii) above (in  that order) are redeemed  first. In addition, no  CDSC
will  be imposed on redemptions of shares which are attributable to reinvestment
of dividends or distributions from, or the proceeds of, certain Unit  Investment
Trusts.
 
    In  addition, the CDSC, if otherwise applicable,  will be waived in the case
of:
 
   (1) redemptions of  shares held  at the time  a shareholder  dies or  becomes
disabled,  only if  the shares  are:  (A)  registered either  in the  name of an
individual shareholder (not a  trust), or in the  names of such shareholder  and
his  or her spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship; or   (B) held in
a qualified corporate  or self-employed retirement  plan, Individual  Retirement
Account  ("IRA") or  Custodial Account under  Section 403(b)(7)  of the Internal
Revenue Code  ("403(b) Custodial  Account"), provided  in either  case that  the
redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of
disability;
 
   (2)   redemptions   in  connection   with   the  following   retirement  plan
distributions:  (A) lump-sum or  other distributions from a qualified  corporate
or self-employed retirement plan following retirement (or, in the case of a "key
employee"  of  a  "top  heavy"  plan,  following  attainment  of  age  59  1/2);
(B) distributions from an IRA  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
corporate or self-employed retirement plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the
Internal   Revenue  Code  which  offers  investment  companies  managed  by  the
Investment Manager  or its  subsidiary, Dean  Witter Services  Company Inc.,  as
self-directed investment alternatives and for which Dean Witter Trust Company or
Dean  Witter Trust FSB, each of which is an affiliate of the Investment Manager,
serves as Trustee ("Eligible 401(k) Plan"), provided that either:  (A) the  plan
    
contin-
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
ues  to be an Eligible 401(k) Plan after the redemption; or   (B) the redemption
is in  connection  with the  complete  termination  of the  plan  involving  the
distribution of all plan assets to participants.
 
    With  reference to (1) above, for the purpose of determining disability, the
Distributor utilizes the definition of disability contained in Section  72(m)(7)
of  the  Internal Revenue  Code, which  relates  to the  inability to  engage in
gainful employment. With reference  to (2) above,  the term "distribution"  does
not  encompass a direct transfer of  IRA, 403(b) Custodial Account or retirement
plan assets to  a successor custodian  or trustee. All  waivers will be  granted
only  following receipt by the Distributor  of confirmation of the shareholder's
entitlement.
 
    REPURCHASE.   DWR  and  other  Selected  Broker-Dealers  are  authorized  to
repurchase  shares represented by a share  certificate which is delivered to any
of their  offices.  Shares held  in  a  shareholder's account  without  a  share
certificate  may also  be repurchased by  DWR and  other Selected Broker-Dealers
upon the telephonic or  telegraphic request of  the shareholder. The  repurchase
price is the net asset value next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares") after
such  repurchase  order  is received  by  DWR or  other  Selected Broker-Dealer,
reduced by any applicable CDSC.
 
    The CDSC, if  any, will  be the  only fee imposed  by either  the Fund,  the
Distributor  or DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer.  The offer by DWR and other
Selected Broker-Dealers to repurchase shares may be suspended without notice  by
the Distributor at any time. In that event, shareholders may redeem their shares
through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set forth above under "Redemption."
 
    PAYMENT  FOR SHARES REDEEMED  OR REPURCHASED.   Payment for shares presented
for repurchase  or redemption  will be  made by  check within  seven days  after
receipt  by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in good
order. Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended  under
unusual  circumstances; E.G., when normal trading is not taking place on the New
York Stock Exchange. If the shares  to be redeemed have recently been  purchased
by check, payment of the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time
needed  to verify that the check used  for investment has been honored (not more
than fifteen days from the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer  Agent).
Shareholders   maintaining  margin   accounts  with  DWR   or  another  Selected
Broker-Dealer are referred to their account executive regarding restrictions  on
redemption of shares of the Fund pledged in the margin account.
 
    REINSTATEMENT  PRIVILEGE.   A  shareholder  who has  had  his or  her shares
redeemed or  repurchased and  has not  previously exercised  this  reinstatement
privilege  may,  within  thirty  days  after  the  date  of  the  redemption  or
repurchase, reinstate any portion or all  of the proceeds of such redemption  or
repurchase  in shares of the Fund at their net asset value next determined after
a reinstatement request, together with the proceeds, is received by the Transfer
Agent and receive a pro-rata  credit for any CDSC  paid in connection with  such
redemption or repurchase.
 
    INVOLUNTARY  REDEMPTION.   The Fund reserves  the right to  redeem, on sixty
days' notice and at net asset value,  the shares of any shareholder (other  than
shares  held  in an  Individual Retirement  Account  or Custodial  Account under
Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code) whose shares due to  redemptions
by  the shareholder have a value of less  than $100 or such lesser amount as may
be fixed  by  the  Trustees  or,  in the  case  of  an  account  opened  through
EasyInvest-SM-  , if after twelve months  the shareholder has invested less than
$1,000 in the account.  However, before the Fund  redeems such shares and  sends
the  proceeds to the shareholder, it will  notify the shareholder that the value
of the shares is less than the applicable amount and allow him or her sixty days
to make an additional investment in an  amount which will increase the value  of
his  or her account to  at least the applicable  amount before the redemption is
processed. No CDSC will be imposed on any involuntary redemption.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    DIVIDENDS AND  DISTRIBUTIONS.   The Fund  intends to  pay dividends  and  to
distribute substantially all of its net investment income and distribute capital
gains,  if  any, once  each year.  The  Fund may,  however, determine  either to
distribute or to retain all or part  of any long-term capital gains in any  year
for reinvestment.
 
    All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be paid in additional
Fund  shares  and automatically  credited to  the shareholder's  account without
issuance of a share certificate unless the shareholder requests in writing  that
all   dividends  and/or  distributions  be   paid  in  cash.  (See  "Shareholder
Services--Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions".)
 
    TAXES.  Because  the Fund intends  to distribute all  of its net  investment
income and net short-term capital gains to shareholders and otherwise qualify as
a  regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code,
it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay any Federal income  tax
on  any such income  and capital gains.  Shareholders will normally  have to pay
Federal income taxes, and any state and local income taxes, on the dividends and
distributions they receive from the Fund.
 
    Distributions of net investment income and net short-term capital gains  are
taxable to the shareholder as ordinary dividend income regardless of whether the
shareholder  receives such distributions  in additional shares  or in cash. Some
part of  such  dividends and  distributions  may  be eligible  for  the  Federal
dividends received deduction available to the Fund's corporate shareholders.
 
    Distributions  of  net  long-term  capital gains,  if  any,  are  taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has
held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in
additional shares or in cash. Capital  gains distributions are not eligible  for
the dividends received deduction.
 
   
    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.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    From  time to time the  Fund may quote its  "total return" in advertisements
and sales  literature. The  total return  of  the Fund  is based  on  historical
earnings and is not intended to indicate future performance.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    The  "average annual total return" of the Fund refers to a figure reflecting
the average annualized  percentage increase  (or decrease)  in the  value of  an
initial  investment in  the Fund  of $1,000  over periods  of one,  five and ten
years, or over the life of the Fund, if less than any of the foregoing.  Average
annual  total return reflects all income earned by the Fund, any appreciation or
depreciation of the  Fund's assets, all  expenses incurred by  the Fund and  all
sales  charges incurred by shareholders, for the stated periods. It also assumes
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions paid by the Fund.
 
    In addition to the foregoing, the  Fund may advertise its total return  over
different  periods of time  by means of aggregate,  average, and year-by-year or
other types of total return figures. The  Fund may also advertise the growth  of
hypothetical investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in shares of the Fund.
Such  calculations  may  or may  not  reflect  the deduction  of  the contingent
deferred sales charge which, if reflected, would reduce the performance  quoted.
The  Fund  from time  to time  may  also advertise  its performance  relative to
certain performance rankings and  indexes compiled by independent  organizations
such  as mutual fund  performance rankings of  Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.,
the S&P Stock Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    VOTING RIGHTS.  All shares of beneficial  interest of the Fund are of  $0.01
par  value and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges. There are
no conversion,  pre-emptive or  other subscription  rights. In  the event  of  a
liquidation,  each share of beneficial  interest of the Fund  is entitled to its
portion of all the Fund's  assets after all debts  and expenses have been  paid.
The shares do not have cumulative voting rights.
 
    The  Fund is not  required to hold  Annual Meetings of  Shareholders and, in
ordinary circumstances, the  Fund does  not intend  to hold  such meetings.  The
Trustees  may call  Special Meetings of  Shareholders for  action by shareholder
vote as may be required  by the Act or the  Declaration of Trust. Under  certain
circumstances  the Trustees may be  removed by action of  the Trustees or by the
shareholders.
 
    Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be  held personally  liable as  partners for  obligations of  the
Fund.  However,  the  Declaration of  Trust  contains an  express  disclaimer of
shareholder liability for acts  or obligations of the  Fund, requires that  Fund
obligations  include  such  disclaimer,  and  provides  for  indemnification and
reimbursement of expenses out  of the Fund's property  for any shareholder  held
personally  liable  for  the  obligations  of the  Fund.  Thus,  the  risk  of a
shareholder incurring  financial loss  on account  of shareholder  liability  is
limited  to circumstances in which  the Fund itself would  be unable to meet its
obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder personal liability,  and
the  nature of the Fund's assets and operations, in the opinion of Massachusetts
counsel to the Fund, the risk to shareholders of personal liability is remote.
 
    CODE OF ETHICS.   Directors,  officers and employees  of InterCapital,  Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. and the Distributor are subject to a strict Code of
Ethics adopted by those companies. The Code of Ethics is intended to ensure that
the interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead of any personal
interest,  that no undue personal benefit is obtained from a person's employment
activities and that actual and potential  conflicts of interest are avoided.  To
achieve  these goals and comply with regulatory requirements, the Code of Ethics
requires, among other things, that personal securities transactions by employees
of the companies be subject to an  advance clearance process to monitor that  no
Dean  Witter Fund is engaged at the same time  in a purchase or sale of the same
security. The  Code of  Ethics bans  the purchase  of securities  in an  initial
public offering,
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
and also prohibits engaging in futures and options transactions and profiting on
short-term  trading (that is, a  purchase within sixty days of  a sale or a sale
within sixty  days  of  a  purchase) of  a  security.  In  addition,  investment
personnel  may not purchase or sell a security for their personal account within
thirty days before or after any transaction  in any Dean Witter Fund managed  by
them.  Any violations of the Code of  Ethics are subject to 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.
    
 
    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.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
   
Dean Witter
Capital Appreciation Fund
                                    Dean Witter
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
TRUSTEES                            Capital
Michael Bozic                       Appreciation
Charles A. Fiumefreddo              Fund
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Ronald J. Worobel
Vice President
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND
DISBURSING AGENT
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
                                         PROSPECTUS -- JANUARY 28, 1997
 
    
<PAGE>
   
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                                                     DEAN WITTER
JANUARY 28, 1997
    
                                                            CAPITAL APPRECIATION
                                                                            FUND
- --------------------------------------------------
 
   
    Dean   Witter  Capital  Appreciation  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  objective by
investing primarily in the common stocks of U.S. companies that, in the  opinion
of  the Investment  Manager, offer  the potential  for either  superior earnings
growth and/or appear to  be undervalued. Current income  is not an objective  of
the Fund. (See "Investment Objective and Policies.")
    
 
   
    A  Prospectus for the Fund dated January  28, 1997, which provides the basic
information you  should know  before  investing in  the  Fund, may  be  obtained
without charge from the Fund at its 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
Capital Appreciation Fund
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<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........................................................................         28
 
Determination of Net Asset Value.......................................................         31
 
Shareholder Services...................................................................         31
 
Redemptions and Repurchases............................................................         36
 
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.....................................................         38
 
Performance Information................................................................         40
 
Description of Shares..................................................................         41
 
Custodian and Transfer Agent...........................................................         42
 
Independent Accountants................................................................         42
 
Reports to Shareholders................................................................         42
 
Legal Counsel..........................................................................         42
 
Experts................................................................................         42
 
Registration Statement.................................................................         42
 
Report of Independent Accountants......................................................         43
 
Financial Statements -- November 30, 1996..............................................         44
</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
July 31, 1995.
 
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 Dean Witter, Discover &  Co. ("DWDC"), a Delaware corporation.  In
an  internal  reorganization which  took  place in  January,  1993, InterCapital
assumed  the  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 Trustees. Information as to these Trustees and officers is
contained under the caption "Trustees and Officers."
    
 
   
    InterCapital  is  the  investment  manager  or  investment  adviser  of  the
following  management investment  companies: Active  Assets Money  Trust, Active
Assets Tax-Free Trust,  Active Assets California  Tax-Free Trust, Active  Assets
Government  Securities Trust, InterCapital  Income Securities Inc., InterCapital
Insured Municipal Bond Trust, InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust, InterCapital
Insured Municipal  Income  Trust,  InterCapital  Insured  Municipal  Securities,
InterCapital  California  Insured Municipal  Income Trust,  InterCapital Insured
California  Municipal  Securities,  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, High Income Advantage Trust,
High  Income Advantage  Trust II, High  Income Advantage Trust  III, Dean Witter
Government Income Trust,  Dean Witter  High Yield Securities  Inc., Dean  Witter
Tax-Free  Daily  Income Trust,  Dean  Witter Tax-Exempt  Securities  Trust, Dean
Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc., Dean Witter Natural Resource Development
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  World Wide  Income 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, Dean Witter Value-Added
Market Series, Dean Witter Utilities Fund, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily
Income Trust,  Dean  Witter Strategist  Fund,  Dean Witter  Intermediate  Income
Securites,  Dean Witter Capital  Growth Securities, Dean  Witter Precious Metals
and Minerals Trust,  Dean Witter  New York  Municipal Money  Market Trust,  Dean
Witter  European Growth  Fund Inc.,  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, Dean Witter Premier
Income Trust, 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,  Dean Witter  Short-Term
Bond   Fund,  Dean  Witter  Global  Utilities  Fund,  Dean  Witter  High  Income
Securities, Dean  Witter National  Municipal  Trust, Dean  Witter  International
SmallCap  Fund, Dean Witter  Mid-Cap Growth Fund,  Dean Witter Select Dimensions
Investment Series,  Dean  Witter  Global  Asset  Allocation  Fund,  Dean  Witter
Balanced  Growth  Fund, Dean  Witter Balanced  Income  Fund, Dean  Witter Hawaii
Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Japan Fund,  Dean Witter Income Builder Fund,  Dean
Witter  Special Value  Fund, Dean Witter  Financial Services  Trust, Dean Witter
Capital  Appreciation   Fund,  Dean   Witter  Information   Fund,  Dean   Witter
Intermediate  Term U.S. Treasury 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,
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
Municipal Premium Income Trust and Prime Income Trust. The foregoing  investment
companies,  together with  the Fund,  are collectively  referred to  as the Dean
Witter Funds.
 
   
    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 Mid-Cap  Equity 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  North American  Government  Income Trust,  TCW/DW  Total
Return Trust, TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, TCW/DW Strategic Income Trust, 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)  sub-adviser  to  Templeton  Global  Opportunities  Trust,  an open-end
investment company; (ii)  administrator of  The BlackRock  Strategic Term  Trust
Inc., a closed-end investment company; and (iii) sub-administrator of MassMutual
Participation   Investors  and   Templeton  Global   Governments  Income  Trust,
closed-end investment companies.
    
 
    Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Management  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  Management  Agreement,  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  certain 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. The Investment  Manager has  retained DWSC to  perform its  administrative
services under the Agreement.
 
    Expenses   not  expressly  assumed  by  the  Investment  Manager  under  the
Management Agreement or  by the distributor  of the Fund's  shares, Dean  Witter
Distributors  Inc. ("Distributors" or the "Distributor") (see "The Distributor")
will be paid by the  Fund. The expenses borne by  the Fund include, but are  not
limited to: 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 the Fund's 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 (depending upon the nature of the legal claim, liability or lawsuit) and
all other costs of the Fund's operations properly payable by the Fund.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
    The  Management  Agreement   provides  that  in   the  absence  of   willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligation
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 Management  Agreement in  no way
restricts the Investment Manager from acting as investment manager or adviser to
others.
 
   
    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 daily  net assets of the Fund.  For the period October 27,
1995 (commencement of operations) through November 30, 1995 and the fiscal  year
ended  November 30, 1996, the Fund accrued $62,692 and $1,607,148, respectively,
to the Investment Manager pursuant to the Agreement.
    
 
   
    The Investment Manager paid the organizational expenses of the Fund, in  the
amount  of $179,000, incurred  prior to the  offering of the  Fund's shares. The
Fund has reimbursed the Investment Manager for such expenses in accordance  with
the  terms of the Underwriting Agreement  between the Fund and Distributors. The
Fund is deferring  and amortizing  the organizational 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  Management Agreement  (the "Agreement")  was initially  approved by the
Trustees on August 24, 1995 and  by InterCapital, as the then sole  shareholder,
on  August  24 ,  1995. 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 will continue in effect until April 30, 1997,
and  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 or its parent company may use, or at any time
permit others to use, the name "Dean  Witter." The Fund has also agreed that  in
the   event  the  Agreement  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 or its parent company 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 with  the 83 Dean  Witter Funds  and the 14  TCW/DW Funds are
shown below:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS                PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>
Michael Bozic (55) ...................................  Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer of Levitz  Furniture
Trustee                                                 Corporation (since November, 1995); Director or Trustee of
c/o Levitz Furniture Corporation                        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* (63) .........................  Chairman,   Chief  Executive   Officer  and   Director  of
Chairman of the Board,                                  InterCapital,  Distributors  and   DWSC;  Executive   Vice
President and Chief Executive                           President  and  Director  of  DWR;  Chairman,  Director or
Officer and Trustee                                     Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dean
Two World Trade Center                                  Witter  Funds;  Chairman,  Chief  Executive  Officer   and
New York, New York                                      Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Chairman and Director of Dean
                                                        Witter  Trust Company ("DWTC"); Director and/or officer of
                                                        various  DWDC   subsidiaries;  formerly   Executive   Vice
                                                        President and Director of DWDC (until February, 1993).
 
Edwin J. Garn (64) ...................................  Director  or Trustee  of the  Dean Witter  Funds; formerly
Trustee                                                 United States Senator  (R-Utah) (1974-1992) and  Chairman,
c/o Huntsman Chemical Corporation                       Senate  Banking Committee  (1980-1986); formerly  Mayor of
500 Huntsman Way                                        Salt Lake  City,  Utah  (1972-1974);  formerly  Astronaut,
Salt Lake City, Utah                                    Space   Shuttle  Discovery   (April  12-19,   1985);  Vice
                                                        Chairman, Huntsman  Chemical Corporation  (since  January,
                                                        1993);   Director  of  Franklin   Quest  (time  management
                                                        systems) and  John Alden  Financial Corp.;  member of  the
                                                        board of various civic and charitable organizations.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS                PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>
John R. Haire (71) ...................................  Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  and  Chairman  of the
Trustee                                                 Committee of  the Independent  Directors or  Trustees  and
Two World Trade Center                                  Director  or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman of
New York, New York                                      the Audit Committee 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).
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (47) ...........................  Senior  Partner,  Johnson  Smick  International,  Inc.,  a
Trustee                                                 consulting firm; Koch Professor of International Economics
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.                   and Director of  the Center for  Global Market Studies  at
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.                           George  Mason University; Co-Chairman and a founder of the
Washington, DC                                          Group of Seven  Council (G7C),  an international  economic
                                                        commission;  Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds;
                                                        Trustee of  the TCW/DW  Funds; Director  of NASDAQ  (since
                                                        June,  1995); Director  of Greenwich  Capital Markets Inc.
                                                        (broker-dealer); formerly Vice  Chairman of  the Board  of
                                                        Governors  of the  Federal Reserve  System (1986-1990) and
                                                        Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury (1982-1986).
Michael E. Nugent (60) ...............................  General  Partner,   Triumph  Capital,   L.P.,  a   private
Trustee                                                 investment  partnership; Director  or Trustee  of the Dean
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P.                               Witter Funds; Trustee of  the TCW/DW Funds; formerly  Vice
237 Park Avenue                                         President,   Bankers   Trust   Company   and   BT  Capital
New York, New York                                      Corporation  (1984-1988);  Director  of  various  business
                                                        organizations.
Philip J. Purcell* (53) ..............................  Chairman  of the  Board of  Directors and  Chief Executive
Trustee                                                 Officer of  DWDC,  DWR  and Novus  Credit  Services  Inc.;
Two World Trade Center                                  Director  of InterCapital, DWSC and Distributors; Director
New York, New York                                      or Trustee  of  the  Dean Witter  Funds;  Director  and/or
                                                        officer of various DWDC subsidiaries.
John L. Schroeder (66) ...............................  Retired;  Director or  Trustee of  the Dean  Witter Funds;
Trustee                                                 Trustee  of  the  TCW/DW   Funds;  Director  of   Citizens
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen Shalov & Wein        Utilities  Company; formerly Executive  Vice President and
Counsel to the Independent Trustees                     Chief Investment Officer of the
114 West 47th Street                                    Home Insurance Company (August, 1991-September, 1995)  and
New York, New York                                      formerly   Chairman  and   Chief  Investment   Officer  of
                                                        Axe-Houghton  Management   and  the   Axe-Houghton   Funds
                                                        (1983-1991).
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS                PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>
Sheldon Curtis (64) ..................................  Senior  Vice President,  Secretary and  General Counsel of
Vice President, Secretary                               InterCapital and  DWSC; Senior  Vice President,  Assistant
 and General Counsel                                    Secretary  and Assistant General  Counsel of Distributors;
Two World Trade Center                                  Senior Vice  President and  Secretary of  DWTC;  Assistant
New York, New York                                      Secretary of DWR and Vice President, Secretary and General
                                                        Counsel of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
Ronald J. Worobel (54) ...............................  Senior   Vice  President,  previously  Vice  President  of
Vice President                                          InterCapital  (since   June,  1992);   formerly   Managing
Two World Trade Center                                  Director at MacKay Schields Financial Corp.
New York, New York
Thomas F. Caloia (50) ................................  First   Vice   President   and   Assistant   Treasurer  of
Treasurer                                               InterCapital and DWSC; Treasurer of the Dean Witter  Funds
Two World Trade Center                                  and the TCW/DW Funds.
New York, New York
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
*   Denotes Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the
Act.
 
   
    In  addition, Robert  M. Scanlan, President  and Chief  Operating Officer of
InterCapital and DWSC, Executive Vice President  of Distributors and DWTC and  a
Director  of DWTC, Robert  S. Giambrone, Senior  Vice President of InterCapital,
DWSC, Distributors  and  DWTC and  a  Director  of DWTC,  Joseph  J.  McAlinden,
Executive  Vice President  and Chief  Investment Officer  of InterCapital  and a
Director of DWTC, and Jayne Stevlingson, Michael Knox and Kenton J.  Hinchliffe,
Vice  Presidents of InterCapital, are Vice  Presidents of the Fund. In addition,
Barry Fink and Marilyn K. Cranney,  First Vice Presidents and Assistant  General
Counsels  of InterCapital  and DWSC,  Lou Anne D.  McInnis and  Ruth Rossi, Vice
Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of InterCapital and DWSC, and  Carsten
Otto  and Frank  Bruttomesso, Staff  Attorneys 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. These same individuals
also serve as directors or  trustees for all of the  Dean Witter 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  December 31, 1996,  the Dean Witter  Funds had total net
assets of approximately $81.3 billion and more than five million shareholders.
    
 
   
    Six Trustees  (75% 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, DWDC. 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 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.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
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.
    
 
   
    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
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
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 December 31, 1996.
    
 
   
                               FUND COMPENSATION
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AGGREGATE
                                                                 COMPENSATION
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE                                      FROM THE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                                             <C>
Michael Bozic.................................................      $1,800
Edwin J. Garn.................................................       1,850
John R. Haire.................................................       3,950
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson.........................................       1,800
Michael E. Nugent.............................................       1,800
John L. Schroeder.............................................       1,800
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    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.
    
 
   
              COMPENSATION FROM DEAN WITTER FUNDS AND TCW/DW FUNDS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   FOR SERVICE AS    FOR SERVICE        TOTAL
                                                                    CHAIRMAN OF          AS         COMPENSATION
                                                                   COMMITTEES OF     CHAIRMAN OF        PAID
                               FOR SERVICE                          INDEPENDENT     COMMITTEES OF   FOR SERVICES
                              AS DIRECTOR OR                         DIRECTORS/      INDEPENDENT         TO
                               TRUSTEE AND       FOR SERVICE AS     TRUSTEES AND    TRUSTEES AND       82 DEAN
                             COMMITTEE MEMBER     TRUSTEE AND          AUDIT            AUDIT          WITTER
                                OF 82 DEAN      COMMITTEE MEMBER   COMMITTEES OF    COMMITTEES OF     FUNDS AND
NAME OF                           WITTER          OF 14 TCW/DW     82 DEAN WITTER     14 TCW/DW       14 TCW/DW
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE               FUNDS              FUNDS             FUNDS            FUNDS           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>
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
    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.
    
 
   
                 RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM ALL DEAN WITTER FUNDS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            ESTIMATED
                                                                                              RETIREMENT      ANNUAL
                                                                                               BENEFITS      BENEFITS
                                                          ESTIMATED                           ACCRUED AS       UPON
                                                       CREDITED 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>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(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.
    
 
   
(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.
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    FOREIGN SECURITIES.   As stated in  the Prospectus, the  Fund may invest  in
securities  issued by foreign  issuers. Investors should  carefully consider the
risks of investing in securities  of foreign issuers and securities  denominated
in  non-U.S. currencies. Fluctuations in the  relative rates of exchange between
the currencies  of  different  nations  will affect  the  value  of  the  Fund's
investments.  Changes in  foreign currency exchange  rates relative  to the U.S.
dollar will affect  the U.S. dollar  value of the  Fund's assets denominated  in
that currency and thereby impact upon the Fund's total return on such assets.
 
    Foreign  currency  exchange rates  are determined  by  forces of  supply and
demand on the foreign exchange markets. These forces are themselves affected  by
the   international  balance  of  payments  and  other  economic  and  financial
conditions, government intervention,  speculation and  other factors.  Moreover,
foreign currency exchange rates may be affected by the regulatory control of the
exchanges on which currencies trade.
 
    Investments  in  foreign securities  will  also occasion  risks  relating to
political  and  economic  developments  abroad,  including  the  possibility  of
expropriations  or confiscatory taxation, limitations on  the use or transfer of
Fund  assets  and  any  effects   of  foreign  social,  economic  or   political
instability. Foreign companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements of
U.S.  companies and, as  such, there may be  less publicly available information
about such companies.  Moreover, foreign  companies are not  subject to  uniform
accounting,   auditing  and  financial   reporting  standards  and  requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
 
    Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable  securities
of  U.S.  issuers  and, as  such,  their  price changes  may  be  more volatile.
Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally subject to  less
government   and   exchange  scrutiny   and   regulation  then   their  American
counterparts. Brokerage commissions,  dealer concessions  and other  transaction
costs may be higher on foreign markets than in the U.S. In addition, differences
in clearance and settlement procedures on foreign markets may occasion delays in
settlements  of Fund  trades effected in  such markets. Inability  to dispose of
portfolio securities due to settlement delays could result in losses to the Fund
due to subsequent declines in value of such securities and the inability of  the
Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could result
in a failure of the Fund to make potentially advantageous investments.
 
    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
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
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 10% of its net assets. The  Fund's
investments  in repurchase agreements  may at times be  substantial when, in the
view of the Investment Manager, liquidity, tax or other considerations warrant.
 
    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  cash  equivalents, 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 four business days'
notice.  If the borrower fails to deliver the loaned securities within four 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 Fund's  management 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 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 November 30, 1996, the Fund did not loan any of its  portfolio
securities.
    
 
   
    WHEN-ISSUED  AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES  AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS.  From
time to  time 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  commitment.  While  the  Fund  will  only  purchase  securities  on  a
when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis with the intention  of
acquiring the securities, the Fund may sell the securities before the settlement
date, if it is deemed advisable. The securities so purchased or sold are subject
to market fluctuation and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior
to the settlement date. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase or
sell  securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis,
it will record the  transaction and thereafter reflect  the value, each day,  of
such  security  purchased,  or  if  a sale,  the  proceeds  to  be  received, in
determining its net asset value. At the time of delivery of the securities,  the
value  may be more or less  than the purchase or sale  price. The Fund will also
establish a  segregated  account  with  its custodian  bank  in  which  it  will
continually  maintain  cash  or  cash  equivalents  or  other  liquid  portfolio
securities  equal  in  value  to   commitments  to  purchase  securities  on   a
when-issued,  delayed  delivery  or  forward commitment  basis.  Subject  to the
foregoing restrictions, the Fund may  purchase securities on such basis  without
limit. The Investment Manager and
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
the  Board of Trustees  do not believe that  the Fund's net  asset value will be
adversely affected by the purchase of securities on such 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 maintain  cash or  cash equivalents  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 value of  the Fund's commitments to purchase the
securities of any one issuer, together with the value of all securities of  such
issuer  owned by the  Fund, may not exceed  5% of the value  of the Fund's total
assets at the time  the initial commitment to  purchase such securities is  made
(see "Investment Restrictions"). Subject to the foregoing restrictions, the Fund
may  purchase  securities  on  such  basis without  limit.  An  increase  in the
percentage of the  Fund's assets committed  to the purchase  of securities on  a
"when,  as and  if issued" basis  may increase  the volatility of  its net asset
value. The Investment Manager and the Trustees do not believe that the net asset
value of the Fund will  be adversely affected by  its purchase of securities  on
such  basis. 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.
    
 
    RIGHTS AND WARRANTS.  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 Exchange.  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.
 
    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 of the Securities Act, and determined to be  liquid
pursuant to the procedures discussed in the following paragraph, are not subject
to  the foregoing restriction.) 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 ("SEC")  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. The procedures require that the following factors be taken into account in
making a liquidity determination: (1) the  frequency of trades and price  quotes
for  the security; (2) the number of  dealers and other potential purchasers who
have issued quotes on the security; (3) any dealer undertakings to make a market
in the  security; and  (4) the  nature of  the security  and the  nature of  the
marketplace  trades (the time needed  to dispose of the  security, the method of
soliciting offers, and the mechanics of  transfer). If a restricted security  is
determined  to  be  "liquid," such  security  will  not be  included  within the
category "illiquid securities," which under  the SEC's current policies may  not
exceed  10%  of  the Fund's  net  assets, and  will  not  be subject  to  the 5%
limitation set out in the preceding paragraph.
    
 
    The Rule 144A marketplace of  sellers and qualified institutional buyers  is
new  and still developing and may take a period of time to develop into a mature
liquid market.  As such,  the market  for certain  private placements  purchased
pursuant   to  Rule  144A   may  be  initially  small   or  may,  subsequent  to
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
purchase, become illiquid.  Furthermore, the Investment  Manager may not  posses
all the information concerning an issue of securities that it wishes to purchase
in  a private  placement to  which it  would normally  have had  access, had the
registration statement necessitated  by a  public offering been  filed with  the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
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) and facilitate  the reallocation of  the Fund's assets
into and out of equities and fixed-income securities by purchasing put and  call
options  on  portfolio  (or  eligible  portfolio)  securities  and  engaging  in
transactions involving futures contracts and options on such contracts. The Fund
may also hedge against potential changes  in the market value of the  currencies
in  which  its  investments  (or  anticipated  investments)  are  denominated by
purchasing put  and  call  options  on currencies  and  engage  in  transactions
involving currency 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")  and other  clearing entities  including foreign  exchanges.
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, 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.
 
    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.
 
    OPTIONS  ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES.  The Fund  may purchase and write options on
foreign currencies  for purposes  similar to  those involved  with investing  in
forward  foreign currency exchange  contracts. For example,  in order to protect
against  declines  in  the  dollar  value  of  portfolio  securities  which  are
denominated  in a  foreign currency,  the Fund  may purchase  put options  on an
amount of such foreign currency equivalent to the current value of the portfolio
securities involved. As a result, the Fund would be enabled to sell the  foreign
currency  for a fixed  amount of U.S.  dollars, thereby "locking  in" the dollar
value of the portfolio securities (less the amount of the premiums paid for  the
options).  Conversely, the Fund may purchase  call options on foreign currencies
in which securities it  anticipates purchasing are denominated  to secure a  set
U.S. dollar price for such securities and protect against a decline in the value
of  the U.S. dollar  against such foreign  currency. The Fund  may also purchase
call and put options to close out written option positions.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
    The Fund may also write call options on foreign currency to protect  against
potential  declines in its portfolio securities which are denominated in foreign
currencies. If the  U.S. dollar  value of the  portfolio securities  falls as  a
result of a decline in the exchange rate between the foreign currency in which a
security  is denominated and the U.S. dollar, then a loss to the Fund occasioned
by such value  decline would be  ameliorated by  receipt of the  premium on  the
option  sold. At the  same time, however, the  Fund gives up  the benefit of any
rise in value of the relevant  portfolio securities above the exercise price  of
the  option and, in fact, only receives a benefit from the writing of the option
to the extent that the value of  the portfolio securities falls below the  price
of  the premium received. The Fund may also write options to close out long call
option positions.
 
    The markets in foreign  currency options are relatively  new and the  Fund's
ability  to establish and close out positions  on such options is subject to the
maintenance of a liquid secondary market. Although the Fund will not purchase or
write such options unless  and until, in  the opinion of  the management of  the
Fund, the market for them has developed sufficiently to ensure that the risks in
connection  with such options are not greater  than the risks in connection with
the underlying  currency, there  can be  no assurance  that a  liquid  secondary
market  will exist for  a particular option  at any specific  time. In addition,
options on  foreign  currencies are  affected  by  all of  those  factors  which
influence foreign exchange rates and investments generally.
 
    The  value  of a  foreign  currency option  depends  upon the  value  of the
underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar.  As a result, the price of  the
option  position may vary with changes in the value of either or both currencies
and have  no  relationship to  the  investment  merits of  a  foreign  security,
including  foreign securities held  in a "hedged"  investment portfolio. Because
foreign  currency  transactions  occurring  in  the  interbank  market   involve
substantially  larger amounts  than those  that may  be involved  in the  use of
foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an
odd lot market (generally  consisting of transactions of  less than $1  million)
for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for
round lots.
 
    There  is  no  systematic reporting  of  last sale  information  for foreign
currencies or  any  regulatory  requirement that  quotations  available  through
dealers  or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation
information available is generally representative of very large transactions  in
the  interbank market and  thus may not  reflect relatively smaller transactions
(i.e., less than $1  million) where rates may  be less favorable. The  interbank
market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent
that  the U.S. options markets  are closed while the  markets for the underlying
currencies remain open, significant price and  rate movements may take place  in
the underlying markets that are not reflected in the options market.
 
    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  and the  U.S. dollar  and foreign  currencies, without
limit, 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
(currency) 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  no later than that of
the  securities  (currency)   deliverable  under   the  call   option.  A   call
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
option  is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security (currency)
as the underlying security (currency) 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 (currency) alone. Moreover, the
income received from  the premium will  offset a portion  of the potential  loss
incurred  by the  Fund if  the securities  (currency) underlying  the option are
ultimately sold (exchanged)  by the Fund  at a loss.  The premium received  will
fluctuate  with varying economic  market conditions. If the  market value of the
portfolio securities  (or the  currencies in  which they  are denominated)  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 calls not been written.
 
    As regards listed options and certain OTC options, during the option period,
the Fund  may be  required, at  any  time, to  deliver the  underlying  security
(currency)  against payment of  the exercise price  on any calls  it has written
(exercise of  certain  listed  and  OTC  options  may  be  limited  to  specific
expiration  dates). This  obligation is  terminated upon  the expiration  of the
option period or at such 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 (currency) from
being called, to permit the sale of  an underlying security (or the exchange  of
the  underlying currency) or to enable the  Fund to write another call option on
the underlying security  (currency) 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  (currency).
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 (currency).
 
    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
(currency) during the  option period. If  a call option  is exercised, the  Fund
realizes  a gain  or loss  from the sale  of the  underlying security (currency)
equal to the difference  between the purchase price  of the underlying  security
(currency)  and the  proceeds of  the sale of  the security  (currency) plus the
premium received for 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 (currency) at the time
the option is written. See "Risks of Options 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 and OTC 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 liquid portfolio securities in  an amount equal to at least
the exercise  price  of the  option,  at all  times  during the  option  period.
Similarly,    a    short    put    position   could    be    covered    by   the
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   
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).
In  the  case of  listed  options, 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.  The Fund may purchase listed and OTC call
and put options in amounts equalling up to 5% of its total assets. The Fund  may
purchase  call  options in  order  to close  out  a covered  call  position (see
"Covered Call Writing" above) or purchase call options on securities they intend
to purchase. The Fund  may also purchase  a call option  on foreign currency  to
hedge  against  an adverse  exchange  rate move  of  the currency  in  which the
security it  anticipates purchasing  is denominated  vis-a-vis the  currency  in
which  the exercise  price is  denominated. The purchase  of the  call option to
effect a closing transaction or a call written over-the-counter may be a  listed
or an OTC option. In either case, the call purchased is likely to be on the same
securities  (currencies)  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.
 
    The  Fund may purchase  put options on securities  (currency) 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 (currency). If the value of the underlying
security (currency) 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 (currency)  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. Any such gain or loss could be offset in whole or
in part by a change in the  market value of the underlying security  (currency).
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 (or the currency in  which it is denominated) increase,  but
has  retained  the risk  of loss  should  the price  of the  underlying security
(currency) decline. The covered put writer also retains the risk of loss  should
the  market  value  of  the underlying  security  (currency)  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 (currency) at the exercise price.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
    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 or to purchase
an offsetting over-the-counter  option, 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  (exchange)  an  underlying security
(currency) at a time when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so. A covered
put option writer who is unable to  effect a closing purchase transaction or  to
purchase  an offsetting over-the-counter option would  continue to bear the risk
of decline in the market price  of the underlying security (currency) until  the
option  expires or  is exercised.  In addition,  a covered  put writer  would be
unable to utilize the amount held in cash or U.S. Government securities 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, as such options will generally only be closed out by entering into
a closing purchase transaction with the purchasing dealer. 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  Options Clearing Corporation  ("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
exercisable in accordance with their terms.
 
    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 options, 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. 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.
 
    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
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
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.
 
    While the futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by the
Fund for  the  purpose  of  hedging the  Fund's  portfolio  securities  are  not
speculative  in nature, there are risks inherent in the use of such instruments.
One such risk which may arise in employing futures contracts to protect  against
the  price volatility of  portfolio securities is that  the prices of securities
and indexes  subject to  futures  contracts (and  thereby the  futures  contract
prices)  may correlate imperfectly with  the behavior of the  cash prices of the
Fund's portfolio securities. Another such risk  is that prices of interest  rate
futures contracts may not move in tandem with the changes in prevailing interest
rates  against which the Fund seeks a hedge. A correlation may also be distorted
by the fact that the futures  market is dominated by short-term traders  seeking
to profit from the difference between a contract or security price objective and
their  cost of  borrowed funds. Such  distortions are generally  minor and would
diminish as the contract approached maturity.
 
    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."
Options on 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, 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
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
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 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 has 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.  The Fund may purchase  and sell interest rate and stock
index futures  contracts  ("futures contracts")  that  are traded  on  U.S.  and
foreign  commodity  exchanges on  such  underlying securities  as  U.S. Treasury
bonds, notes and bills ("interest rate" futures), on the U.S. dollar and foreign
currencies, 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  fall, 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
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
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 futures  contracts on the U.S. dollar and on
foreign currencies to hedge against an anticipated rise or decline in the  value
of the U.S. dollar or foreign currency in which a portfolio security of the Fund
is denominated vis-a-vis another currency.
 
    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.  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 sale  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 equity 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 brokers' 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 called "variation margin", with
the Fund's  Custodian, in  the account  in the  name of  the broker,  which  are
reflective  of price fluctuations  in the futures  contract. Currently, interest
rates 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.  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.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    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 requirement is approximately 5% 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  Moody's Investment-Grade
Corporate Bond Index  on the Chicago  Board of  Trade and the  Value Line  Stock
Index on the Kansas City 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 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
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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 Fund  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.
 
   
    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.
    
 
   
    If  the Fund maintains a short position in  a futures contract or has sold a
call option on 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.
    
 
    Exchanges  may limit the amount by which  the price of 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 extent to which the Fund  may enter into transactions involving  options
and futures contracts may be limited by the Internal Revenue Code's requirements
for  qualification as a regulated investment company and the Fund's intention to
qualify as such. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the Prospectus  and
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
    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 debt 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 interest rate trends by the Investment Manager may still not result
in a successful hedging transaction.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    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.
 
    The Investment  Manager  has  substantial  experience  in  the  use  of  the
investment  techniques described  above under  the heading  "Options and Futures
Transactions," which techniques  require skills different  from those needed  to
select   the  portfolio  securities  underlying   various  options  and  futures
contracts.
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    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, 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. Borrow money, except that the Fund,  (i) may borrow from a bank  for
    temporary  or emergency purposes  and (ii) may  engage in reverse repurchase
    agreements and dollar rolls, in amounts not exceeding 5% (taken at the lower
    of cost or  current value)  of its total  assets (not  including the  amount
    borrowed).
 
         4.  Pledge its  assets or assign  or otherwise encumber  them except to
    secure borrowings effected within the  limitations set forth in  restriction
    (3).  For  the purpose  of  this restriction,  collateral  arrangements with
    respect to the writing of  options and collateral arrangements with  respect
    to  initial or variation margin for futures  are not deemed to be pledges of
    assets.
 
         5. 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 or reverse repurchase agreement; (b) purchasing
    any securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis; (c) purchasing or
    selling  futures contracts,  forward foreign exchange  contracts or options;
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
    (d) borrowing money in accordance with restrictions described above; or  (e)
    lending portfolio securities.
 
         6.  Make loans of money  or securities, except: (a)  by the purchase of
    publicly  distributed  debt  obligations  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.
 
         7. Make short sales of securities.
 
         8. 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 or related options thereon is not considered the purchase
    of a security on margin.
 
         9. 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.
 
        10.  Invest for the  purpose of exercising control  or management of any
    other issuer.
 
        11.  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.
 
        12.  Purchase or sell  commodities or commodities  contracts except that
    the Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts or options on futures.
 
    In addition,  as  a  nonfundamental  policy, the  Fund  may  not  invest  in
securities  of any issuer if, in the  exercise of reasonable diligence, the Fund
has determined  that any  officer  or trustee  of the  Fund  or any  officer  or
director  of the Investment Manager owns more  than 1/2 of 1% of the outstanding
securities of such  issuer, and such  officers, trustees and  directors who  own
more  than  1/2 of  1% own  in the  aggregate  more than  5% of  the outstanding
securities of such issuers.
 
    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.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    Subject to the general supervision of the Board of 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. The  Fund expects that  securities will  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.
Options and 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. During the fiscal period ended November 30, 1995 and the
fiscal year  ended  November 30,  1996,  the  Fund paid  $70,648  and  $520,777,
respectively, in brokerage commissions.
    
 
   
    The  Investment Manager currently serves as  investment advisors to a number
of clients, including other investment companies,  and may in the future act  as
investment  adviser 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
    
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
   
availability  of  cash  for  investment,  the  size  of  investment  commitments
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,  and in  most cases  an exact  dollar
value for those services is not ascertainable.
 
    The  Fund  anticipates that  certain of  its transactions  involving foreign
securities will be effected on  foreign securities exchanges. Fixed  commissions
on  such  transactions  are  generally  higher  than  negotiated  commissions on
domestic transactions. There is also  generally less government supervision  and
regulation  of  foreign  securities exchanges  and  brokers than  in  the United
States.
 
   
    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:
information  as  to  the  availability  of  securities  for  purchase  or  sale;
statistical or factual  information or opinions  pertaining to investment;  wire
services;  and  appraisals or  evaluations of  portfolio securities.  During the
fiscal year ended November 30, 1996,  the Fund directed the payment of  $520,777
in brokerage commissions in connection with transactions in the aggregate amount
of $179,563,875.
    
 
    The information and services received by the Investment Manager from brokers
and  dealers may be of benefit to them  in the management of accounts of some of
their 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  their  expenses,   it  is   of
indeterminable value and the fees paid to the Investment Manager are not reduced
by any amount that may be attributable to the value of such services.
 
    Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may
effect  principal transactions in certain money market instruments with DWR. The
Fund will limit  its transactions  with DWR  to U.S.  Government and  Government
Agency  Securities, Bank  Money Instruments  (i.e., Certificates  of Deposit and
Bankers' Acceptances) and Commercial Paper.  Such transactions will be  effected
with  DWR only when the  price available from DWR  is better than that available
from other dealers.
 
    Consistent with  the  policy  described  above,  brokerage  transactions  in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may be
effected  through DWR. In order for DWR to effect any portfolio transactions for
the Fund, the  commissions, fees or  other remuneration received  by it 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    DWR    to    receive    no   more
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
   
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 DWR are consistent with the foregoing standard. During  the
period  October 27,  1995 through  November 30, 1995  and the  fiscal year ended
November 30, 1996, the Fund paid $1,500 and $21,460, 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 November  30, 1996, the brokerage commissions  paid
to  DWR represented approximately 4.12% 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 5.50%  of the  aggregate dollar
value of  all portfolio  transactions of  the  Fund during  the year  for  which
commissions were paid.
    
 
   
    During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996, the Fund did not acquire any
securities of the ten brokers or the ten dealers who executed the largest dollar
amounts of principal transactions with the Fund during the period, or securities
of the parents of those broker-dealers.
    
 
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
dealer agreement with DWR, which through its own sales organization sells shares
of the Fund. In addition, the Distributor may enter into similar agreements with
other selected dealers ("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The Distributor, a  Delaware
corporation,  is a  wholly-owned subsidiary of  DWDC. The Trustees  of the Fund,
including a majority of the Trustees who are not, and were not at the time  they
voted,  interested persons of the Fund, as  defined in the Act (the "Independent
Trustees"), approved, at their meeting held  on August 24, 1995, a  Distribution
Agreement  (the "Distribution  Agreement") appointing  the Distributor 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 had an initial term ending April  30, 1996, and provides that it  will
remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved by the Board. At their
meeting  held on April 17, 1996, the  Trustees, including all of the Independent
Trustees, approved the continuation of the Agreement until April 30, 1997.
    
 
    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 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  and 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
 
    To compensate the  Distributor for the  services it or  any selected  dealer
provides  and for  the expenses it  bears under the  Distribution Agreement, the
Fund has adopted a  Plan of Distribution  pursuant to Rule  12b-1 under the  Act
(the  "Plan")  pursuant  to which  the  Fund pays  the  Distributor compensation
accrued daily and payable monthly at the  annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser  of:
(a)  the average  daily aggregate  gross sales  of the  Fund's shares  since the
inception of the Fund (not including
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
reinvestments of dividends  or capital  gains distributions),  less the  average
daily  aggregate net asset value of the  Fund's shares redeemed since the Fund's
inception upon which a contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or upon
which such charge has been waived; or  (b) the Fund's average daily net  assets.
The  Distributor  receives the  proceeds  of contingent  deferred  sales charges
imposed on certain  redemptions of  shares, which  are separate  and apart  from
payments  made pursuant to the Plan. The  Distributor has informed the Fund that
it received  approximately  $1,800 and  $484,000  in contingent  deferred  sales
charges  for the  period October 27,  1995 (commencement  of operations) through
November 30, 1995 and for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996, respectively.
    
 
    The Distributor has informed the Fund that an amount of the fees payable  by
the  Fund each year pursuant  to the Plan of Distribution  equal to 0.25% of the
Fund's average daily net  assets is characterized as  a "service fee" under  the
Rules  of Fair Practice of the  National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(of which the Distributor is a member). Such fee is a payment made for  personal
service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The remaining portion of
the  Plan of Distribution fee  payments made by the  Fund is characterized as an
"asset-based sales charge"  as such is  defined by the  aforementioned Rules  of
Fair Practice.
 
    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  then sole  shareholder of the
Fund, approved the Plan on August 24, 1995, whereupon the Plan went into effect.
 
   
    Under its terms,  the Plan had  an initial  term ending April  30, 1996  and
provides  that it will remain  in effect from year  to year thereafter, provided
such continuance is approved annually  by a vote of  the Trustees in the  manner
described  above. Continuation  of the  Plan was  most recently  approved by the
Trustees, including a majority of the  Independent 12b-1 Trustees, on April  17,
1996 at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan. At that meeting
the  Trustees  and  the Independent  12b-1  Trustees, after  evaluating  all the
information they deemed necessary to  make an informed determination of  whether
the  Plan should be continued, approved the continuation of the Plan until April
30, 1997. The determination was based  upon the conclusion of the Trustees  that
the  Plan provides an effective means of stimulating sales of shares of the Fund
and of reducing or avoiding net redemptions and the potentially adverse  effects
that may occur therefrom.
    
 
   
    Under  the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees will receive and
review promptly after the end of  each fiscal quarter a written report  provided
by the Distributor of the amounts expended by the Distributor under the Plan and
the  purpose for  which such  expenditures were  made. The  Fund accrued amounts
payable to the Distributor under the Plan, during the fiscal year ended November
30, 1996 of $2,065,176.  This amount is  equal to payments  required to be  paid
monthly by the Fund which were computed at the annual rate of 1.0% of the Fund's
average daily net sales. This amount is treated by the Fund as an expense in the
year it is accrued.
    
 
   
    The  Plan was adopted  in order to  permit the implementation  of the Fund's
method of distribution. Under  this distribution method shares  of the Fund  are
sold  without a sales load  being deducted at the time  of purchase, so that the
full amount of an investor's purchase payment will be invested in shares without
any deduction  for  sales charges.  Shares  of the  Fund  may be  subject  to  a
contingent deferred sales charge, payable to the Distributor, if redeemed during
the  six years after  their purchase. DWR compensates  its account executives by
paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of the Fund's  shares,
currently  a gross sales  credit of up  to 5% of  the amount sold  and an annual
residual commission of  up to 0.25  of 1%  of the current  value (not  including
reinvested dividends or distributions)
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
of  the  amount  sold.  The  gross  sales  credit  is  a  charge  which reflects
commissions  paid  by  DWR  to  its  account  executives  and  Fund   associated
distribution-related  expenses, including  sales compensation  and overhead. The
distribution fee that the Distributor receives from the Fund under the Plan,  in
effect,  offsets  distribution  expenses  incurred on  behalf  of  the  Fund and
opportunity costs, such as the gross sales credit and an assumed interest charge
thereon ("carrying charge"). In the Distributor's reporting of the  distribution
expenses  to the  Fund, 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 its 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 $2,065,176  accrued under the Plan for the  fiscal
year  ended  November  30, 1996  to  the  Distributor. The  Distributor  and DWR
estimate that they have  spent, pursuant to the  Plan, $13,845,391 on behalf  of
the  Fund since the inception of the Plan.  It is estimated that this amount was
spent in approximately the following ways: (i) 6.76% ($936,082)--advertising and
promotional expenses;  (ii)  0.60%  ($83,516)--  printing  of  prospectuses  for
distribution   to   other   than   current   shareholders;   and   (iii)  92.64%
($12,825,793)--other expenses, including the gross sales credit and the carrying
charge,  of  which   3.19%  ($409,477)  represents   carrying  charges,   38.43%
($4,929,277) represents commission credits to DWR branch offices for payments of
commissions  to account  executives and 58.38%  ($7,487,039) represents overhead
and other branch  office distribution-related expenses.  The term "overhead  and
other  branch office distribution-related expenses"  represents (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.
    
 
   
    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
such excess amount, including  the carrying charge  designed to approximate  the
opportunity  costs incurred  by DWR 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  shares, totalled $11,218,433 at  November 30, 1996. Because
there is no requirement  under the Plan that  the Distributor be reimbursed  for
all  expenses 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.
    
 
    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 the
Distributor, InterCapital, DWSC  and DWR 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
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   to   the   Plan.   So  long   as   the   Plan   is   in  effect,
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
the election and nomination  of Independent Trustees shall  be committed to  the
discretion of the Independent Trustees.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  net asset value per share of the  Fund is determined once daily at 4:00
p.m. New York time (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to
4 p.m., at such earlier times), 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), and on each other day in which there is a sufficient  degree
of  trading in the Fund's investments to affect the net asset value, except that
the net asset value may not be computed on a day on which no orders to purchase,
or tenders to sell or redeem, Fund shares have
been received by taking  the value of  all assets of  the Fund, subtracting  its
liabilities,  dividing by the number of  shares outstanding and adjusting to the
nearest cent.  The New  York  Stock Exchange  currently observes  the  following
holidays:   New  Year's  Day;  President's   Day;  Good  Friday;  Memorial  Day;
Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
 
    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 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. Listed options  on debt securities are valued at
the latest sale price on the exchange  on which they are listed unless no  sales
of  such options have taken place that day, in which case they will be valued at
the mean between  their latest bid  and asked prices.  Unlisted options on  debt
securities  and all options on equity securities  are valued at the mean between
their latest bid and asked prices. Futures  are valued at the latest sale  price
on  the commodities exchange  on which they trade  unless the Trustees determine
that such price does not reflect their market value, in which case they 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.
 
    Generally, trading in foreign securities, as well as corporate bonds, United
States  government  securities and  money  market instruments,  is substantially
completed each day at  various times prior  to the close of  the New York  Stock
Exchange. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of
the  Fund's shares  are determined as  of such times.  Foreign currency exchange
rates are also generally  determined prior to  the close of  the New York  Stock
Exchange.  Occasionally, events which  affect the values  of such securities and
such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and
the close of the New York Stock Exchange and will therefore not be reflected  in
the  computation of the  Fund's net asset value.  If events materially affecting
the value of  such securities occur  during such period,  then these  securities
will  be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures
established by and under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
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 the  Fund's
transfer  agent, 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.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
    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  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 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 charge,
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 the Distributor,
which will  be  forwarded  to  the  shareholder,  upon  the  receipt  of  proper
instructions.
 
    TARGETED  DIVIDENDS.-SM-    In  states  where  it  is  legally  permissible,
shareholders may also have all income dividends and capital gains  distributions
automatically  invested in shares of  a Dean Witter Fund  other than Dean Witter
Capital Appreciation Fund. Such investment will  be made as described above  for
automatic investment in shares in shares 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. Shareholders of
Dean Witter Capital Appreciation  Fund must be shareholders  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.-SM-    Shareholders may  subscribe  to EasyInvest,  an automatic
purchase plan  which  provides  for  any  amount  from  $100  to  $5,000  to  be
transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a semi-monthly,
monthly  or quarterly basis, to  the Transfer Agent for  investment in shares of
the Fund. Shares purchased through EasyInvest will 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  at the net
asset value next  determined after receipt  by the Transfer  Agent, without  the
imposition  of a contingent deferred sales  charge upon redemption, by returning
the check or the  proceeds to the  Transfer Agent within  thirty 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 than  $25,  or in  any  whole percentage  of  the account  balance,  on  an
annualized  basis.  Any  applicable  contingent deferred  sales  charge  will be
imposed on  shares redeemed  under  the Withdrawal  Plan (see  "Redemptions  and
Repurchases--Contingent  Deferred Sales  Charge" in  the Prospectus). 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
deferred  sales charge)  to the  shareholder will  be the  designated monthly or
quarterly amount.
 
    The Transfer Agent acts as an 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
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
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 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  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.  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  the contingent  deferred  sales charge
applicable to the redemption of shares purchased during the preceding six  years
(see "Redemptions and Repurchases-- Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
 
    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 nomination to the Transfer Agent. In
addition, the party and/or  the address to  which the 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 Fund  shares at  any time by
sending a  check in  any amount,  not less  than $100,  payable to  Dean  Witter
Capital  Appreciation Fund, directly to the  Fund's Transfer Agent. Such amounts
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 the Fund may exchange their shares
for shares of  other Dean  Witter Funds sold  with a  contingent deferred  sales
charge  ("CDSC funds"), and  for shares of Dean  Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury
Trust, Dean Witter  Limited Term  Municipal Trust, Dean  Witter Short-Term  Bond
Fund,  Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund,  Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean
Witter Intermediate Term U.S.  Treasury Trust and five  Dean Witter Funds  which
are  money market  funds (the  foregoing eleven  non-CDSC funds  are hereinafter
referred to as the "Exchange Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares  of
the  Fund acquired by  purchase (not by exchange  or dividend reinvestment) have
been held for thirty days.  There is no waiting  period for exchanges of  shares
acquired  by exchange or dividend reinvestment.  An exchange 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.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    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  "Exchange
Privilege"  and "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charge", a contingent deferred sales
charge ("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  the Fund or  any
other  CDSC fund are exchanged  for shares of an  Exchange Fund, the exchange 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 holding 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 CDSC fund. However, in the case of shares exchanged
into  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. 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 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  CDSC
fund.
 
    In  addition, shares of the  Fund may be acquired  in exchange for shares of
Dean Witter Funds sold  with a front-end sales  charge ("front-end sales  charge
funds"),  but shares  of the  Fund, however acquired,  may not  be exchanged for
shares of  front-end sales  charge funds.  Shares  of a  CDSC fund  acquired  in
exchange  for shares of a front-end sales charge fund (or in exchange for shares
of other Dean Witter  Funds for which  shares of a  front-end sales charge  fund
have been exchanged) are not subject to any CDSC upon their redemption.
 
    When  shares initially purchased in a CDSC  fund are exchanged for shares of
another CDSC fund, or for  shares of an Exchange Fund,  the date of purchase  of
the shares of the fund exchanged into, for purposes of the CDSC 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 CDSC, the amount which represents the current net asset value of
shares  at the time of the exchange which  were (i) purchased more than 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  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 (all such shares called "Free
Shares"), will be  exchanged first. Shares  of Dean Witter  American Value  Fund
acquired  prior  to  April  30,  1984, 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  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-
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
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 purchase
payment for, or  (b) the current  net asset value  of, those exchanged  non-Free
Shares.  Based upon the procedures described in the Prospectus under the caption
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge", 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 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  investment is
$10,000 for Dean Witter Short-Term U.S.  Treasury Trust, although that fund,  in
its  discretion,  may accept  initial purchases  as low  as $5,000.  The minimum
initial investment is  $5,000 for Dean  Witter Special Value  Fund. The  minimum
initial  investment  for all  other  Dean Witter  Funds  for which  the Exchange
Privilege is available  is $1,000.)  Upon exchange  into an  Exchange Fund,  the
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 those 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' prior written notice  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.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    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 the Fund can be redeemed
for cash at any time at the net asset value per share next determined;  however,
such  redemption  proceeds  may  be  reduced by  the  amount  of  any applicable
contingent deferred  sales  charges  (see  below).  If  shares  are  held  in  a
shareholder's  account  without  a  share  certificate,  a  written  request for
redemption to the Fund's Transfer Agent at  P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ  07303
is  required. If  certificates are  held by the  shareholder, 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 certificates, 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 acceptance 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. 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 a  means of a supplement to the  prospectus
or a new prospectus.
    
 
    CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE.  As stated in the Prospectus, a contingent
deferred  sales charge ("CDSC") will be imposed on any redemption by an investor
if after such redemption the current value of the investor's shares of the  Fund
is  less  than the  dollar amount  of all  payments by  the shareholder  for the
purchase of Fund shares during the preceding six 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
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  years.
The  CDSC will be paid to the Distributor.  In addition, no CDSC will be imposed
on redemptions of  shares which  were purchased  by the  employee benefit  plans
established by
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
DWR and SPS Transaction Services, Inc. (an affiliate of DWR) for their employees
as qualified under Section 401K of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
    In  determining the applicability  of a 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 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  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. Any 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  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.
 
    In  addition, the CDSC, if otherwise applicable,  will be waived in the case
of: (i) redemptions of  shares held at  the time a  shareholder dies or  becomes
disabled,  only  if the  shares  are (a)  registered either  in  the name  of an
individual shareholder (not a  trust), or in the  names of such shareholder  and
his  or her spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship, or (b) held in a
qualified corporate  or  self-employed retirement  plan,  Individual  Retirement
Account  or Custodial  Account under Section  403(b)(7) of  the Internal Revenue
Code, provided in either case that  the redemption is requested within one  year
of  the death  or initial determination  of disability, and  (ii) redemptions in
connection with the  following retirement  plan distributions:  (a) lump-sum  or
other  distributions from a qualified corporate of self-employed retirement plan
following retirement (or in the case of a "key employee" of a "top heavy"  plan,
following  attainment  of  age 59  1/2);  (b) distributions  from  an Individual
Retirement Account or Custodial Account under Section 403(b)(7) of the  Internal
Revenue Code following attainment of age 59 1/2; and (c) a tax-free return of an
excess  contribution to an  IRA. For the purpose  of determining disability, the
Distributor utilizes the definition of disability contained in Section  72(m)(7)
of the Code, which relates to the inability to engage in gainful employment. All
waivers   will  be  granted  only  following   receipt  by  the  Distributor  of
confirmation of the investor's entitlement.
 
    The amount of the CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on the number of  years
from  the time  of payment  for the purchase  of Fund  shares 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:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             CONTINGENT DEFERRED
                                        YEAR SINCE                                              SALES CHARGE
                                         PURCHASE                                            AS A PERCENTAGE OF
                                       PAYMENT MADE                                            AMOUNT REDEEMED
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                                          <C>
First......................................................................................         5.0%
Second.....................................................................................         4.0%
Third......................................................................................         3.0%
Fourth.....................................................................................         2.0%
Fifth......................................................................................         2.0%
Sixth......................................................................................         1.0%
Seventh and thereafter.....................................................................         None
</TABLE>
 
    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 period. This will result  in any such CDSC being imposed  at
the   lowest  possible  rate.  Accordingly,  shareholders  may  redeem,  without
incurring any CDSC,  amounts equal to  any net  increase in the  value of  their
shares  above the  amount of  their purchase payments  made within  the past six
years and amounts equal to the current  value of shares purchased more than  six
years    prior    to    the   redemption    and    shares    purchased   through
reinvest-
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
ment of dividends or  distributions or 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. The  CDSC
will  be imposed, in accordance  with the table shown  above, on any redemptions
within six years  of purchase which  are in  excess of these  amounts and  which
redemptions  are  not  (a)  requested  within  one  year  of  death  or  initial
determination of disability of  a shareholder, or (b)  made pursuant to  certain
taxable distributions from retirement plans or retirement accounts, as described
above.
 
    PAYMENT FOR SHARES REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED.  As discussed in the Prospectus,
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. 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.  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 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 contingent  deferred sales charge 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  contingent deferred  sales charge  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 30 days after the redemption
or repurchase, reinstate any portion or  all of the proceeds of such  redemption
or  repurchase in shares  of the Fund held  by the shareholder  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  and  state 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 and state personal 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, if the Fund makes an election, the shareholders would  include
such
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
undistributed gains in their income and shareholders will be able to claim their
share  of the tax paid by the Fund  as a credit against their individual federal
income tax.
 
    Any dividends declared in  the last quarter of  any calendar year which  are
paid  in the following calendar year prior to February 1 will be deemed received
by the shareholder in the prior calendar year.
 
    Gains or  losses  on sales  of  securities by  the  Fund will  generally  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 generally short-term capital gains or losses.
 
    The  Fund  intends  to  qualify  as  a  regulated  investment  company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). If so qualified,
the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on its net investment  income
and  capital  gains,  if  any,  realized during  any  fiscal  year  in  which it
distributes such income and capital gains to its shareholders.
 
    After the  end  of  the  calendar  year,  shareholders  will  be  sent  full
information on their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax purposes,
including  information as to the portion taxable as ordinary income, the portion
taxable as long-term capital gains, and the amount of dividends eligible for the
Federal dividends received deduction available  to corporations. 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.
 
    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  normally 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.  Therefore, an  investor should
consider the tax implications of purchasing  Fund shares immediately prior to  a
distribution record date.
 
    The  Fund may elect to retain net capital gains and pay corporate income tax
thereon. In such event, each shareholder of record on the last day of the Fund's
taxable year  would be  required to  include  in income  for tax  purposes  such
shareholder's  proportionate share of the Fund's undistributed net capital gain.
In addition, each  shareholder would  be entitled to  credit such  shareholder's
proportionate  share of  the tax  paid by  the Fund  against federal  income tax
liabilities, to  claim  refunds to  the  extent  that the  credit  exceeds  such
liabilities, and to increase the basis of his shares held for federal income tax
purposes  by an amount equal to 65% of such shareholder's proportionate share of
the undistributed net capital gain.
 
    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
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
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 attorney  or tax adviser regarding
specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes.
 
   
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    As discussed in the  Prospectus, from time  to time the  Fund may quote  its
"total  return"  in advertisements  and  sales literature.  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 contingent  deferred
sales  charge 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 fiscal year ended
November 30, 1996 and the period  October 27, 1995 (commencement of  operations)
through November 30, 1996 were 18.36% and 23.41%, respectively.
    
 
   
    In  addition to the foregoing, the Fund  may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or  other
types  of total  return figures.  Such calculations may  or may  not reflect the
deduction of the  contingent deferred  sales charge which,  if reflected,  would
reduce  the performance quoted. For example, the average annual total returns of
the Fund may be calculated in the manner described above, but without  deduction
for  any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Based on this calculation,
the average annual total return of the  Fund for the fiscal year ended  November
30,  1996 and  for the period  October 27,  1995 through November  30, 1996 were
23.36% and 26.98%, respectively.
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
   
    In addition, the Fund may compute  its aggregate total return 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  contingent deferred  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 fiscal year ended November 30, 1996
and for the period October  27, 1995 through November  30, 1996 were 23.36%  and
29.90%, respectively.
    
 
   
    The  Fund  may  also advertise  the  growth of  hypothetical  investments of
$10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in  shares of the Fund by  adding 1 to the  Fund's
total  aggregate total return to date (expressed as a decimal and without taking
into account the effect of applicable  CDSC) and multiplying by 10,000,  $50,000
or  $100,000 as the case may be. Investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in
the Fund  at  inception would  have  grown  to $12,990,  $64,950  and  $129,900,
respectively, at November 30, 1996.
    
 
    The  Fund from time to  time may also advertise  its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and  indexes compiled by independent  organizations
including the Capital Appreciation Lipper Index.
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full share
held.  The Trustees have been elected by InterCapital as the sole shareholder of
the Fund. 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
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 (which  would be  used  to distinguish  among the  rights of
different categories of shareholders, as might be required by future regulations
or other unforeseen circumstances). The  Trustees have not presently  authorized
any such additional series or classes of shares.
    
 
    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 or her own bad
faith, willful misfeasance, gross  negligence, or reckless  disregard of his  or
her  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  in
the Declaration of Trust concerning termination by action of the shareholders.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  Bank of New York  is the Custodian of  the Fund's assets. The Custodian
has contracted with  various foreign  banks and depositories  to hold  portfolio
securities  of non-U.S. issuers  on behalf of  the Fund. 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 November 30. 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.
 
LEGAL COUNSEL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Sheldon  Curtis, Esq.,  who is  an officer  and the  General Counsel  of the
Investment Manager, is an officer and the General Counsel of the Fund.
 
EXPERTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The financial statements of  the Fund for the  year ended November 30,  1996
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.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TRUSTEES
OF DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION 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 Capital Appreciation
Fund (the "Fund") at November 30, 1996, 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 October 27, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through November 30, 1995, 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 November 30, 1996 by correspondence with the
custodian and brokers and the application of alternative auditing procedures
where confirmations from brokers were not received, provide a reasonable basis
for the opinion expressed above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
JANUARY 10, 1997
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             COMMON STOCKS (99.9%)
             ADVERTISING (1.4%)
    65,000   Ha Lo Industries, Inc.*.............  $     2,502,500
     4,000   Lamar Advertising Co. (Class A)*....           93,000
    37,350   Outdoor Systems, Inc.*..............          947,756
    15,200   Snyder Communications, Inc.*........          370,500
    19,700   Universal Outdoor Holdings, Inc.*...          529,437
                                                   ---------------
                                                         4,443,193
                                                   ---------------
             AEROSPACE & DEFENSE (0.7%)
   100,000   BE Aerospace, Inc.*.................        2,287,500
                                                   ---------------
             AIR TRANSPORT (0.2%)
    30,000   Alaska Air Group, Inc.*.............          723,750
                                                   ---------------
             AUTO PARTS (1.3%)
    80,000   Boyds Wheels, Inc.*.................        1,180,000
    30,000   Breed Technologies, Inc.............          802,500
    10,000   Keystone Automotive Industries,
             Inc.*...............................          142,500
    50,000   Tower Automotive, Inc.*.............        1,593,750
     7,700   Ugly Duckling Corp.*................          131,862
     5,400   United Auto Group, Inc.*............          124,875
                                                   ---------------
                                                         3,975,487
                                                   ---------------
             BIOTECHNOLOGY (2.4%)
    40,000   Centocor, Inc.*.....................        1,105,000
   150,000   Guilford Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*.....        2,437,500
    60,000   Interneuron Pharmaceuticals,
             Inc.*...............................        1,170,000
    50,000   Liposome Co., Inc.*.................          893,750
   100,000   Medarex, Inc.*......................          787,500
    70,000   Sequus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*.......          988,750
                                                   ---------------
                                                         7,382,500
                                                   ---------------
             BREWERY (0.0%)
    40,000   American Craft Brewing International
             Ltd.*...............................          100,000
                                                   ---------------
             BROADCAST MEDIA (0.3%)
    50,000   All American Communications, Inc.
             (Class B)*..........................          487,500
     9,400   Young Broadcasting Corp. (Class
             A)*.................................          279,650
                                                   ---------------
                                                           767,150
                                                   ---------------
             BUILDING MATERIALS (0.4%)
   100,000   Universal Forest Products, Inc......        1,250,000
                                                   ---------------
 
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             BUSINESS SYSTEMS (1.6%)
    45,000   American Management Systems,
             Inc.*...............................  $     1,597,500
    30,000   Cognizant Corp......................        1,035,000
    60,000   Encad, Inc.*........................        2,250,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         4,882,500
                                                   ---------------
             COMMERCIAL SERVICES (7.8%)
     9,100   Abacus Direct Corp.*................          216,125
    30,000   ABR Information Services, Inc.*.....        1,282,500
    30,000   Billing Information Concepts*.......          892,500
    20,000   Caribiner International, Inc.*......          882,500
   120,000   Childrens Comprehensive Service,
             Inc.*...............................        1,860,000
    50,000   Claremont Technology Group, Inc.*...        1,212,500
   100,000   Employee Solutions, Inc.*...........        1,837,500
    25,000   FYI Inc.*...........................          537,500
    80,000   ICTS Holland Production BV*
             (Netherlands).......................          890,000
     2,000   International Network Services*.....           64,000
    55,000   Learning Tree International,
             Inc.*...............................        2,488,750
    50,000   Leasing Solutions, Inc.*............        1,418,750
   105,000   National Education Corp.*...........        1,483,125
    10,100   National Processing, Inc.*..........          181,800
    30,000   Precision Response Corp.*...........        1,102,500
    50,000   Saville Systems, PLC (ADR)*
             (Ireland)...........................        2,062,500
    35,000   Service Experts, Inc.*..............          857,500
    40,000   Strayer Education, Inc..............          880,000
    30,000   Superior Services, Inc.*............          498,750
    15,000   TeleTech Holdings, Inc.*............          472,500
    20,000   The Vincam Group, Inc.*.............          695,000
    40,000   Whittman-Hart, Inc.*................        1,790,000
    60,000   Youth Services International,
             Inc.*...............................          765,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                        24,371,300
                                                   ---------------
             COMPUTER EQUIPMENT (0.3%)
    40,000   American Power Conversion Corp.*....          945,000
                                                   ---------------
             COMPUTER SOFTWARE & SERVICES (19.3%)
   110,000   4FRONT Software International,
             Inc.*...............................          440,000
    10,000   Advent Software, Inc.*..............          315,000
    50,000   Ansoft Corp.*.......................          237,500
     2,900   Aspect Development, Inc.*...........           67,425
     4,900   Aurum Software, Inc.*...............          172,112
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       44
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
    40,000   Axent Technologies, Inc.*...........  $       630,000
    60,000   Black Box Corp.*....................        2,430,000
    60,000   BroadVision, Inc.*..................          412,500
    97,500   Brooktrout Technology, Inc.*........        3,120,000
    20,000   BTG, Inc.*..........................          397,500
     3,000   C-Net, Inc.*........................           50,250
    40,100   CCC Information Services Group,
             Inc.*...............................          611,525
    30,000   Cellular Technical Services Co.,
             Inc.*...............................          491,250
    30,000   Check Point Software Technologies
             Ltd.* (Israel)......................          671,250
    80,000   Ciber, Inc.*........................        2,560,000
    30,000   Citrix Systems, Inc.*...............        1,335,000
    80,000   Computer Task Group, Inc............        3,350,000
     3,200   Cybermedia, Inc.*...................           63,200
    50,000   Document Sciences Corp.*............          525,000
    50,000   DST Systems, Inc.*..................        1,618,750
    40,000   Engineering Animation, Inc.*........          940,000
    20,000   Farallon Communications, Inc.*......          235,000
     1,000   Forte Software, Inc.*...............           31,750
    40,000   Harbinger Corp.*....................        1,040,000
    40,000   Hyperion Software Corp.*............          860,000
       900   I2 Technologies, Inc.*..............           34,200
    52,400   IDT Corp.*..........................          694,300
    40,000   IKOS Systems, Inc.*.................          770,000
     2,800   Indus Group, Inc.*..................           56,700
     4,600   Infinity Financial Technology,
             Inc.*...............................           74,750
    70,000   Interlink Computer Sciences,
             Inc.*...............................          910,000
   150,000   ISG International Software Group
             Ltd.* (Israel)......................        2,531,250
    21,000   JDA Software Group, Inc.*...........          561,750
    40,000   Keane, Inc.*........................        2,115,000
    50,000   Manchester Equipment Co.*...........          500,000
    60,000   Manugistics Group, Inc.*............        2,235,000
    50,000   MDL Information Systems, Inc.*......          837,500
     1,800   Mechanical Dynamics, Inc.*..........           25,875
     9,700   Memco Software Ltd.*................          185,512
    31,500   Mindspring Enterprises, Inc.*.......          192,937
    70,000   Nicollet Process Engineering,
             Inc.*...............................           96,250
     9,100   ONTRACK Data International, Inc.*...          100,100
     2,400   Open Market, Inc.*..................           33,900
    30,000   Pegasystems, Inc.*..................          892,500
 
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
    30,000   Phoenix International Ltd., Inc.*...  $       547,500
   100,000   Pri Automation, Inc.*...............        4,650,000
    60,000   Printware, Inc.*....................          270,000
    30,000   Raptor Systems, Inc.*...............          660,000
    17,600   Renaissance Solutions, Inc.*........          649,000
     5,000   Rogue Wave Software*................           63,750
    70,000   Ross Systems, Inc.*.................          481,250
    60,000   Scopus Technology, Inc.*............        2,235,000
     3,900   SeaChange International, Inc.*......          100,425
     8,400   Select Software Tools Ltd. (ADR)*
             (United Kingdom)....................          147,000
    30,000   Siebel Systems, Inc.*...............        1,327,500
   100,000   SPSS, Inc.*.........................        2,875,000
    11,700   SQA, Inc.*..........................          337,837
    47,500   STB Systems, Inc.*..................        1,056,875
    20,200   Summit Design, Inc.*................          194,425
    19,350   Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*............          824,794
     4,500   Technology Modeling Associates,
             Inc.*...............................           48,375
    90,000   Technology Solutions Co.*...........        4,050,000
    40,000   TRO Learning, Inc.*.................          800,000
    11,700   Trusted Information Systems,
             Inc.*...............................          138,938
     7,700   USCS International, Inc.*...........          125,125
    50,000   Vanstar Corp.*......................        1,362,500
    50,000   Verilink Corp.*.....................        1,462,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                        59,860,330
                                                   ---------------
             COMPUTERS (1.4%)
    25,000   Ciprico, Inc.*......................          331,250
    20,000   IDX Systems Corp.*..................          485,000
    70,000   Micron Electronics, Inc.*...........        1,338,750
    60,000   MICROS Systems, Inc.*...............        1,777,500
    40,000   Proxima Corp.*......................          550,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         4,482,500
                                                   ---------------
             COMPUTERS - PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT (0.9%)
    90,000   Tech Data Corp.*....................        2,700,000
                                                   ---------------
             DISTRIBUTION (0.3%)
    40,000   Central Garden & Pet Co.*...........          865,000
                                                   ---------------
             DRUGS (0.4%)
    50,000   IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corp.*.........        1,206,250
                                                   ---------------
             EDUCATION (0.8%)
    80,000   Control Data Systems, Inc.*.........        1,570,000
    75,000   Cornell Corrections, Inc.*..........          740,625
    13,000   Education Management Corporation*...          234,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         2,544,625
                                                   ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       45
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             ELECTRONICS (7.5%)
    50,000   Ampex Corp. (Class A)*..............  $       512,500
    40,000   Analog Devices, Inc.*...............        1,285,000
   100,000   Computer Products, Inc.*............        2,000,000
    40,000   Flextronics International, Ltd.*....        1,400,000
    50,000   FORE Systems, Inc.*.................        1,962,500
    80,000   Galileo Corp.*......................        1,900,000
    30,000   Holmes Protection Group, Inc.*......          367,500
   160,000   JPM Co.*............................        1,880,000
    60,000   Printrak International, Inc.*.......          555,000
    30,000   SAES Getters SpA (ADR)* (Italy).....          315,000
    20,000   Sawtek, Inc.*.......................          735,000
    70,000   Sipex Corp.*........................        1,968,750
    50,000   SRS Labs, Inc.*.....................          706,250
    60,000   Tencor Instruments*.................        1,590,000
    60,000   Ultrak, Inc.*.......................        1,815,000
    90,000   Vitesse Semiconductor Corp.*........        4,286,250
                                                   ---------------
                                                        23,278,750
                                                   ---------------
             ELECTRONICS - SEMICONDUCTORS/COMPONENTS (3.8%)
    40,000   Atmel Corp.*........................        1,315,000
   130,000   Etec Systems, Inc.*.................        3,802,500
   110,000   Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.*...        2,227,500
    50,000   Microsemi Corp.*....................          575,000
    60,000   S3 Incorporated*....................        1,012,500
   100,000   Seeq Technology, Inc.*..............          312,500
    50,000   Supertex, Inc.*.....................          931,250
    70,000   VLSI Technology, Inc.*..............        1,601,250
                                                   ---------------
                                                        11,777,500
                                                   ---------------
             ENGINEERING (0.2%)
    50,000   Bouygues Offshore S.A. (ADR)*
             (France)............................          587,500
                                                   ---------------
             ENTERTAINMENT (0.6%)
    60,000   Acres Gaming Inc.*..................          997,500
    30,000   Electronic Arts, Inc.*..............          963,750
     1,300   Penske Motorsports, Inc.*...........           39,813
                                                   ---------------
                                                         2,001,063
                                                   ---------------
             ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL (1.7%)
    60,000   Tetra Tech, Inc.*...................        1,117,500
    90,000   Tetra Technologies, Inc.*...........        2,283,750
    60,000   U.S.A. Waste Services, Inc.*........        1,935,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         5,336,250
                                                   ---------------
 
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             FINANCIAL (0.7%)
    10,000   Bank United Corp. (Class A).........  $       266,250
    26,000   Delta Financial Corporation*........          594,750
    25,000   HealthCare Financial Partners,
             Inc.*...............................          312,500
    40,900   Hubco Exploration, Inc..............          996,938
     2,500   Metris Companies, Inc.*.............           58,125
                                                   ---------------
                                                         2,228,563
                                                   ---------------
             FINANCIAL SERVICES (1.7%)
    80,000   First Financial Caribbean Corp......        2,160,000
       800   First USA Paymentech, Inc.*.........           31,200
    99,000   Southern Pacific Funding Corp.*.....        3,143,250
                                                   ---------------
                                                         5,334,450
                                                   ---------------
             FOOD SERVICES (0.3%)
   117,500   BAB Holdings, Inc.*.................          910,625
                                                   ---------------
             FOOD WHOLESALERS (0.7%)
    90,000   Northland Cranberries, Inc. (Class
             A)..................................        2,002,500
                                                   ---------------
             FOREST PRODUCTS, PAPER & PACKAGING (0.3%)
    30,000   Caraustar Industries, Inc...........        1,016,250
                                                   ---------------
             HEALTHCARE - MISCELLANEOUS (0.0%)
     1,900   Superior Consultant Holdings
             Corp.*..............................           45,125
                                                   ---------------
             HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT (1.0%)
    70,000   FPA Medical Management, Inc.*.......        1,330,000
    30,000   Medcath, Inc.*......................          446,250
    30,000   Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc.*......        1,158,750
                                                   ---------------
                                                         2,935,000
                                                   ---------------
             HOTELS/MOTELS (0.5%)
    80,000   Extended Stay America, Inc.*........        1,660,000
                                                   ---------------
             HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES (0.6%)
    50,000   Furniture Brands International,
             Inc.*...............................          618,750
    50,000   O'Sullivan Industries Holdings,
             Inc.*...............................          556,250
    40,000   Stanley Furniture Co., Inc.*........          640,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         1,815,000
                                                   ---------------
             INDUSTRIALS (1.0%)
    50,000   DT Industries, Inc..................        1,731,250
    40,000   Zoltek Companies, Inc.*.............        1,405,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         3,136,250
                                                   ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       46
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             INSURANCE (2.1%)
    35,000   Capmac Holdings, Inc................  $     1,168,125
   106,000   Delphi Financial Group, Inc. (Class
             A)*.................................        2,994,500
    30,000   FBL Financial Group, Inc. (Class
             A)..................................          787,500
    60,000   Penn Treaty American Corp.*.........        1,455,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         6,405,125
                                                   ---------------
             INVESTMENT COMPANIES (0.4%)
    30,000   Sirrom Capital Corp.................        1,095,000
                                                   ---------------
             MACHINERY (0.3%)
    30,000   Grandall Industries, Inc.*..........          390,000
    20,600   National-Oilwell, Inc.*.............          581,950
                                                   ---------------
                                                           971,950
                                                   ---------------
             MANUFACTURING (0.6%)
   105,000   Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc.*..........        1,601,250
    11,500   Chicago Miniature Lamp, Inc.*.......          379,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                         1,980,750
                                                   ---------------
             MEDICAL PRODUCTS & SUPPLIES (3.2%)
    97,400   Capstone Pharmacy Services*.........        1,034,875
    45,000   ClinTrials Research Inc.*...........          945,000
    90,000   Cryolife, Inc.*.....................        1,282,500
    31,472   Fresenius Medical Care AG (ADR)*
             (Germany)...........................          952,028
    20,000   Immunomedics, Inc.*.................          135,000
   120,000   Med-Design Corp.*...................          780,000
    50,000   Molecular Dynamics, Inc.*...........          468,750
    40,000   Norland Medical Systems, Inc.*......          210,000
    35,000   PLC Systems, Inc.* (Canada).........          844,375
    60,000   Sano Corp.*.........................        1,005,000
    70,000   Staar Surgical Co.*.................          778,750
    40,000   Vivus, Inc.*........................        1,360,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         9,796,278
                                                   ---------------
             MEDICAL SERVICES (0.1%)
    34,800   Medical Alliance, Inc.*.............          378,450
                                                   ---------------
             METALS & MINING (0.2%)
    10,000   BRE-X Minerals Ltd* (Canada)........          153,008
     1,000   BRO-X Minerals Ltd.* (Canada).......            1,897
    40,000   International Curator Resources,
             Ltd.* (Canada)......................          326,023
    20,000   US Energy Corp.*....................          272,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                           753,428
                                                   ---------------
 
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             OFFSHORE DRILLING (2.6%)
    20,000   Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.*....  $     1,275,000
    80,000   Reading & Bates Corp.*..............        2,320,000
    60,000   Rowan Companies, Inc.*..............        1,417,500
    70,000   Tidewater, Inc......................        3,062,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                         8,075,000
                                                   ---------------
             OIL & GAS (3.4%)
    30,000   Barrett Resources Corp.*............        1,222,500
   110,000   Basin Exploration, Inc.*............          660,000
    10,000   Camco, Inc..........................          417,500
    94,000   Comstock Resources Inc.*............        1,186,750
   100,000   Gulf Canada Resources Ltd.*
             (Canada)............................          650,000
    30,000   Lomak Petroleum, Inc................          491,250
    35,000   Marine Drilling Company, Inc.*......          555,625
   100,000   Noble Drilling Corp.*...............        1,925,000
    29,900   Rutherford-Moran Oil Corp.*.........          904,475
    70,000   Swift Energy Co.*...................        2,213,750
    50,000   Zydeco Energy, Inc.*................          293,750
                                                   ---------------
                                                        10,520,600
                                                   ---------------
             OIL - EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION (0.9%)
    60,000   Belden & Blake Corp.*...............        1,515,000
    25,000   Forest Oil Corp.*...................          387,500
    30,000   Mallon Resources Corp.*.............          240,000
    30,000   Oryx Energy Co.*....................          622,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                         2,765,000
                                                   ---------------
             OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES (2.3%)
    40,000   ENSCO International, Inc.*..........        1,755,000
    60,000   Global Industries Ltd.*.............        1,035,000
    20,000   Pride Petroleum Services, Inc.*.....          362,500
    50,000   Smith International, Inc.*..........        2,043,750
    80,000   Varco International, Inc.*..........        1,830,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         7,026,250
                                                   ---------------
             PHARMACEUTICALS (3.1%)
    60,000   Alkermes, Inc.*.....................          847,500
    40,000   Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.*......          495,000
    45,000   Chirex, Inc.*.......................          483,750
    60,000   Curative Health Services, Inc.*.....        1,530,000
    40,000   ICOS Corp.*.........................          305,000
    70,000   North American Vaccine, Inc.*.......        1,706,250
    10,000   Orphan Medical, Inc.*...............           93,750
    60,000   PathoGenesis Corp.*.................        1,537,500
    80,000   SangStat Medical Corp.*.............        1,810,000
    50,000   Vical, Inc.*........................          925,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         9,733,750
                                                   ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       47
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             POLLUTION CONTROL (1.2%)
    35,000   Mansur Industries, Inc.*............  $       275,625
   100,000   US Filter Corp.*....................        3,425,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         3,700,625
                                                   ---------------
             PUBLISHING (0.4%)
    50,000   Hollinger International, Inc. (Class
             A)..................................          550,000
    30,000   International Imaging Materials,
             Inc.*...............................          720,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         1,270,000
                                                   ---------------
             RESTAURANTS (1.4%)
    78,000   CKE Restaurants, Inc................        2,388,750
    30,000   Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp.*......          300,000
    90,000   International Game Technology.......        1,755,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         4,443,750
                                                   ---------------
             RETAIL (2.4%)
    50,000   Buckle, Inc.*.......................        1,412,500
     5,600   Cost Plus, Inc.*....................          102,200
     3,900   Hot Topic, Inc.*....................           73,125
     2,300   Loehmann's, Inc.*...................           69,000
    30,000   Maxim Group Inc.*...................          476,250
    50,000   Paul Harris Stores, Inc.*...........          900,000
    30,000   Ross Stores, Inc....................        1,526,250
    50,000   Service Merchandise Co., Inc.*......          275,000
    50,000   Tuesday Morning Corp.*..............        1,075,000
    40,000   Vans, Inc.*.........................          605,000
    50,000   Zale Corp.*.........................          993,750
                                                   ---------------
                                                         7,508,075
                                                   ---------------
             RETAIL - DEPARTMENT STORES (0.9%)
    70,000   Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.*...........        2,660,000
                                                   ---------------
             RETAIL - FOOD CHAINS (0.2%)
     6,200   P J America, Inc.*..................          117,025
    25,000   Wild Oats Markets, Inc.*............          478,125
                                                   ---------------
                                                           595,150
                                                   ---------------
             RETAIL - SPECIALTY (3.3%)
    60,000   Cole National Corp. (Class A)*......        1,575,000
    63,600   Consolidated Stores Corp.*..........        2,353,200
    32,200   Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc.*......          776,825
    40,000   Fossil, Inc.*.......................          520,000
    50,000   Goody's Family Clothing, Inc.*......          806,250
    30,000   Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack..........        1,098,750
    30,000   PetSmart, Inc.*.....................          765,000
 
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
    50,000   TJX Companies, Inc..................  $     2,256,250
                                                   ---------------
                                                        10,151,275
                                                   ---------------
             SPORTING GOODS (0.0%)
    10,000   Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc.*.......          152,500
                                                   ---------------
             STEEL & IRON (1.9%)
    90,000   Algoma Steel, Inc.* (Canada)........          383,447
    70,000   Gibraltar Steel Corp.*..............        1,610,000
    95,000   Olympic Steel, Inc.*................        2,291,875
    40,000   Shiloh Industries, Inc.*............          660,000
    23,300   Steel Dynamics, Inc.*...............          419,400
   100,000   UNR Industries, Inc.................          662,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                         6,027,222
                                                   ---------------
             TECHNOLOGY (0.7%)
   110,000   Chips & Technologies, Inc.*.........        2,296,250
                                                   ---------------
             TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT (3.5%)
     3,400   Advanced Fibre Communications,
             Inc.*...............................          165,750
    40,000   AML Communications, Inc.*...........          560,000
   105,000   Davox Corp.*........................        3,990,000
    60,000   Digital Microwave Corp.*............        1,432,500
    50,000   DSC Communications Corp.*...........          900,000
     6,300   GeoTel Communications
             Corporation*........................           81,900
    70,000   Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc.*..........        1,382,500
    50,000   Loral Space & Communications
             Ltd.*...............................          925,000
    50,000   Mitec Telecom Inc.* (Canada)........          238,960
    30,000   NICE-Systems Ltd. (ADR)* (Israel)...          536,250
     1,500   Polycom, Inc.*......................            8,063
    60,000   TALX Corporation*...................          472,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                        10,693,423
                                                   ---------------
             TELECOMMUNICATIONS (2.7%)
    33,937   Ascend Communications, Inc.*........        2,413,769
   110,000   ICG Communications, Inc.*...........        2,310,000
    14,900   Lightbridge, Inc.*..................          135,963
    80,000   Tel-Save Holdings, Inc.*............        1,700,000
    80,000   Tollgrade Communications, Inc.*.....        1,880,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         8,439,732
                                                   ---------------
             TEXTILES (0.4%)
    30,000   Cutter & Buck, Inc.*................          315,000
    40,000   Mohawk Industries, Inc.*............          945,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         1,260,000
                                                   ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       48
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             TRANSPORTATION (1.1%)
    40,000   Transat A.T., Inc.* (Canada)........  $       815,056
    60,000   Trico Marine Service, Inc.*.........        2,520,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         3,335,056
                                                   ---------------
             UTILITIES - ELECTRIC (0.2%)
    80,000   York Research Corp.*................          760,000
                                                   ---------------
             WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR (0.3%)
    70,000   CHS Electronics, Inc.*..............          875,000
                                                   ---------------
 
             TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
             (IDENTIFIED COST $256,827,049)......      310,521,550
                                                   ---------------
 
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
 
             PREFERRED STOCK (0.0%)
             MEDICAL PRODUCTS & SUPPLIES
    30,000   Fresenius National Medical Care
             (Class D)* (Germany) (Identified
             Cost $6,069)........................  $         3,900
                                                   ---------------
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(IDENTIFIED COST
$256,833,118) (A)...........       99.9%   310,525,450
 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES.................        0.1        283,531
                                  -----   ------------
 
NET ASSETS..................      100.0%  $310,808,981
                                  -----   ------------
                                  -----   ------------
 
<FN>
- ---------------------
ADR  American Depository Receipt.
 *   Non-income producing security.
(a)  The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes approximates identified
     cost. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $64,130,128 and the
     aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $10,437,796, resulting in net
     unrealized appreciation of $53,692,332.
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       49
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
NOVEMBER 30, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value
  (identified cost $256,833,118)............................  $310,525,450
Receivable for:
    Investments sold........................................     2,379,512
    Shares of beneficial interest sold......................     1,064,873
    Dividends...............................................        35,871
Deferred organizational expenses............................       139,725
Prepaid expenses............................................        27,099
                                                              ------------
     TOTAL ASSETS...........................................   314,172,530
                                                              ------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for:
    Investments purchased...................................     1,958,750
    Plan of distribution fee................................       254,751
    Investment management fee...............................       186,815
    Shares of beneficial interest repurchased...............        45,552
Payable to bank.............................................       751,058
Accrued expenses............................................       166,623
                                                              ------------
     TOTAL LIABILITIES......................................     3,363,549
                                                              ------------
NET ASSETS:
Paid-in-capital.............................................   273,802,192
Net unrealized appreciation.................................    53,692,332
Accumulated net realized loss...............................   (16,685,543)
                                                              ------------
     NET ASSETS.............................................  $310,808,981
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE,
  23,929,847 SHARES OUTSTANDING (UNLIMITED SHARES AUTHORIZED
  OF $.01 PAR VALUE)........................................
                                                                    $12.99
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       50
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
INCOME
Dividends (net of $5,220 foreign withholding tax)...........  $    414,965
Interest....................................................       191,463
                                                              ------------
     TOTAL INCOME...........................................       606,428
                                                              ------------
EXPENSES
Plan of distribution fee....................................     2,065,176
Investment management fee...................................     1,607,148
Transfer agent fees and expenses............................       346,076
Registration fees...........................................        71,363
Professional fees...........................................        61,004
Custodian fees..............................................        39,978
Shareholder reports and notices.............................        37,262
Organizational expenses.....................................        35,457
Trustees' fees and expenses.................................        18,576
Other.......................................................         1,883
                                                              ------------
     TOTAL EXPENSES.........................................     4,283,923
                                                              ------------
     NET INVESTMENT LOSS....................................    (3,677,495)
                                                              ------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):
Net realized loss...........................................   (16,624,523)
Net change in unrealized appreciation.......................    48,698,318
                                                              ------------
     NET GAIN...............................................    32,073,795
                                                              ------------
NET INCREASE................................................  $ 28,396,300
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       51
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                FOR THE YEAR      OCTOBER 27, 1995*
                                                                    ENDED              THROUGH
                                                              NOVEMBER 30, 1996   NOVEMBER 30, 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                 <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS:
Net investment loss.........................................    $ (3,677,495)       $    (66,087)
Net realized loss...........................................     (16,624,523)            (61,020)
Net change in unrealized appreciation.......................      48,698,318           4,994,014
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
     NET INCREASE...........................................      28,396,300           4,866,907
Net increase from transactions in shares of beneficial
  interest..................................................     180,404,150          97,041,624
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
     NET INCREASE...........................................     208,800,450         101,908,531
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period.........................................     102,008,531             100,000
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
     END OF PERIOD..........................................    $310,808,981        $102,008,531
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>
- ---
                                       *                                        Commencement of operations.
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       52
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Dean Witter Capital Appreciation 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 was organized as a Massachusetts
business trust on July 31, 1995 and had no 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 October 27, 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 (valuation of debt securities for which
market quotations are not readily available may be based upon current market
prices of securities which are comparable in coupon, rating and maturity or an
appropriate matrix utilizing similar factors); 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-
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996, CONTINUED
 
dividend date 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. 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.
D. 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 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.
E. ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES -- The Investment Manager paid the organizational
expenses of the Fund in the amount of approximately $179,000 and was 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 the 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.
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.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996, CONTINUED
 
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 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, total $11,218,433 at
November 30, 1996.
The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the year ended November 30, 1996,
it received approximately $484,000 in contingent deferred sales charges from
certain redemptions of the Fund's shares.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOVEMBER 30, 1996, CONTINUED
 
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 November 30, 1996 aggregated
$412,322,346 and $228,446,454, respectively.
For the year ended November 30, 1996, the Fund incurred brokerage commissions of
$21,460 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 November 30, 1996, the Fund had
transfer agent fees and expenses payable of approximately $39,000.
5. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                           FOR THE YEAR               OCTOBER 27, 1995*
                                                                              ENDED                        THROUGH
                                                                        NOVEMBER 30, 1996             NOVEMBER 30, 1995
                                                                   ----------------------------   --------------------------
                                                                     SHARES          AMOUNT         SHARES         AMOUNT
                                                                   -----------   --------------   -----------   ------------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>              <C>           <C>
Sold.............................................................   20,783,480   $  262,842,130     9,767,074   $ 97,945,242
Repurchased......................................................   (6,542,161)     (82,437,980)      (88,546)      (903,618)
                                                                   -----------   --------------   -----------   ------------
Net increase.....................................................   14,241,319   $  180,404,150     9,678,528   $ 97,041,624
                                                                   -----------   --------------   -----------   ------------
                                                                   -----------   --------------   -----------   ------------
<FN>
- ---------------------
*    Commencement of operations.
</TABLE>
 
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
At November 30, 1996, the Fund had a net capital loss carryover of approximately
$15,684,000 which will be available through November 30, 2004 to offset future
capital gains to the extent provided by regulations.
Capital losses incurred after October 31 ("post-October" losses) within the
taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund's next
taxable year. The Fund incurred and will elect to defer net capital losses of
approximately $756,000 during fiscal 1996. As of November 30, 1996, the Fund had
temporary book/tax differences attributable to post-October losses and capital
loss deferrals on wash sales and permanent book/tax differences attributable to
a net operating loss. To reflect reclassifications arising from permanent
book/tax differences for the year ended November 30, 1996, paid-in-capital was
charged and net investment loss was credited $3,677,495.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION 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      OCTOBER 27, 1995*
                                                     ENDED         THROUGH NOVEMBER
                                               NOVEMBER 30, 1996       30, 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
 
Net asset value, beginning of period.........       $ 10.53             $ 10.00
                                                     ------              ------
 
Net investment loss..........................         (0.15)              (0.01)
 
Net realized and unrealized gain.............          2.61                0.54
                                                     ------              ------
 
Total from investment operations.............          2.46                0.53
                                                     ------              ------
 
Net asset value, end of period...............       $ 12.99             $ 10.53
                                                     ------              ------
                                                     ------              ------
 
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+.....................         23.36%               5.30% (1)
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses.....................................          2.00%               2.87% (2)
 
Net investment loss..........................        (1.72)%             (0.79)% (2)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands......           $310,809            $102,009
 
Portfolio turnover rate......................           108%                  7% (1)
 
Average commission rate paid.................            $0.0570          --
<FN>
 
- ---------------------
*    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.
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                       57
<PAGE>


                      DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND

                            PART C  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (a)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         (1)  Financial statements and schedules, included
              in Prospectus (Part A):                                PAGE IN
                                                                     PROSPECTUS
                                                                     ----------
              Financial highlights for the period October 27,
              1995 through November 30, 1995 and the year
              ended November 30, 1996...............................       4
                                                                     PAGE IN SAI
                                                                     -----------
              Portfolio of Investments at November 30, 1996.....          44

              Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30,
              1996..............................................          50

              Statement of Operations for the year ended November
              30, 1996...............................                     51

              Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the period
              October 27, 1995 through November 30, 1995 and the
              year ended November 30, 1996 .......................        52

              Notes to Financial Statements.....................          53

              Financial highlights for the period October 27, 1995
              through November 30, 1995 and the year ended November
              30, 1996.........................                           57

         (2)  Financial statements included in the Statement of
              Additional Information (Part B):

              None

         (3)  Financial statements included in Part C:

              None

   (b)        EXHIBITS:

              2. -  Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant dated as
                    of October 25, 1996.

              8. -  Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant
                    and The Bank of New York

             11. -  Consent of Independent Accountants

<PAGE>

             16. -  Schedule for Computation of Performance
                    Quotations

             27. -  Financial Data Schedule

          Other. -  Power of Attorney of Michael E. Nugent

         ---------------------------
         All other exhibits were previously filed and are hereby
         incorporated by reference.

Item 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

         None

Item 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.

         (1)                                    (2)
                                     Number of Record Holders
     Title of Class                     at December 31, 1996
     --------------                  ---------------------------

Shares of Beneficial Interest                  40,236

Item 27. INDEMNIFICATION.

     Pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust and under
Section 4.8 of the Registrant's By-Laws, the indemnification of the Registrant's
trustees, officers, employees and agents is permitted if it is determined that
they acted under the belief that their actions were in or not opposed to the
best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding,
they had reasonable cause to believe their conduct was not unlawful.  In
addition, indemnification is permitted only if it is determined that the actions
in question did not render them liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties or by reason of
reckless disregard of their obligations and duties to the Registrant.  Trustees,
officers, employees and agents will be indemnified for the expense of litigation
if it is determined that they are entitled to indemnification against any
liability established in such litigation.  The Registrant may also advance money
for these expenses provided that they give their undertakings to repay the
Registrant unless their conduct is later determined to permit indemnification.

         Pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust and
paragraph 8 of the Registrant's Investment Management Agreement, neither the
Investment Manager nor any trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant
shall be liable for any action or failure to act, except in the case of bad
faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties to
the Registrant.

<PAGE>

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the  Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a trustee, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant
in connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted against the Registrant by such trustee, officer or controlling person
in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

         The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification
provision of its by-laws in a manner consistent with Release 11330 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, so
long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of such Act remains in
effect.

         Registrant, in conjunction with the Investment Manager, Registrant's
Trustees, and other registered investment management companies managed by the
Investment Manager, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of Registrant, or who is or was serving at
the request of Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of
another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him or arising out of his position.  However, in no event will
Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which
Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him.

Item 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.

         See "The Fund and Its Management" in the Prospectus regarding the
business of the investment adviser.  The following information is given
regarding officers of Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.  InterCapital is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co.  The principal address of the
Dean Witter Funds is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.

The term "Dean Witter Funds" used below refers to the following registered
investment companies:

CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES
- -------------------------------
 (1) InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
 (2) High Income Advantage Trust
 (3) High Income Advantage Trust II
 (4) High Income Advantage Trust III

<PAGE>

 (5) Municipal Income Trust
 (6) Municipal Income Trust II
 (7) Municipal Income Trust III
 (8) Dean Witter Government Income Trust
 (9) Municipal Premium Income Trust
(10) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust
(11) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust II
(12) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III
(13) Prime Income Trust
(14) InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
(15) InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
(16) InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
(17) InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
(18) InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
(19) InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
(20) InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
(21) InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
(22) InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
(23) InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
(24) InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities

OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES:
- ------------------------------
 (1) Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
 (2) Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
 (3) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
 (4) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
 (5) Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
 (6) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
 (7) Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
 (8) Dean Witter Retirement Series
 (9) Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(10) Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
(11) Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(12) Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
(13) Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(14) Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(15) Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(16) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(17) Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(18) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(19) Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
(20) Dean Witter American Value Fund
(21) Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(22) Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(23) Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(24) Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(25) Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(26) Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(27) Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(28) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(29) Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(30) Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(31) Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(32) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(33) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(34) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust

<PAGE>

(35) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(36) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(37) Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(38) Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(39) Active Assets Money Trust
(40) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(41) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(42) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(43) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44) Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(45) Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46) Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47) Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48) Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(49) Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
(50) Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(51) Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(52) Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(53) Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(54) Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(55) Dean Witter Information Fund
(56) Dean Witter Japan Fund
(57) Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
(58) Dean Witter Special Value Fund
(59) Dean Witter Financial Services Trust

The term "TCW/DW Funds" refers to the following registered investment companies:

OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES
- -----------------------------
 (1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
 (2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
 (3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
 (4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
 (5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
 (6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
 (7) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
 (8) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
 (9) TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
 (10)TCW/DW Strategic Income Trust

CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES
- -------------------------------
 (1) TCW/DW Term Trust 2000
 (2) TCW/DW Term Trust 2002
 (3) TCW/DW Term Trust 2003
 (4) TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             ------------------------------------------------

Charles A. Fiumefreddo        Executive Vice President and Director of Dean
Chairman, Chief               Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"); Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and         Executive Officer and Director of Dean Witter
Director                      Distributors Inc. ("Distributors") and Dean
                              Witter Services Company Inc. ("DWSC"); Chairman

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             ------------------------------------------------

                              and Director of Dean Witter Trust Company
                              ("DWTC"); Chairman, Director or Trustee, President
                              and Chief Executive Officer of the Dean Witter
                              Funds and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
                              Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Formerly Executive
                              Vice President and Director of Dean Witter,
                              Discover & Co. ("DWDC"); Director and/or officer
                              of various DWDC subsidiaries.


Philip J. Purcell             Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Director                      of DWDC and DWR; Director of DWSC and
                              Distributors; Director or Trustee of the Dean
                              Witter Funds; Director and/or officer of various
                              DWDC subsidiaries.

Richard M. DeMartini          Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director                      Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter Capital;
                              Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC;
                              Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Member (since
                              January, 1993) and Chairman (since January,
                              1995) of the Board of Directors of NASDAQ.

James F. Higgins              Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director                      Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter Financial;
                              Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC.

Thomas C. Schneider           Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Executive Vice                Officer of DWDC, DWR, DWSC and Distributors;
President, Chief              Director of DWR, DWSC and Distributors.
Financial Officer and
Director

Christine A. Edwards          Executive Vice President, Secretary and General
Director                      Counsel of DWDC and DWR; Executive Vice President,
                              Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of Distributors;
                              Director of DWR, DWSC and Distributors.

Robert M. Scanlan             President and Chief Operating Officer of DWSC,
President and Chief           Executive Vice President of Distributors;
Operating Officer             Executive Vice President and Director of DWTC;
                              Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds and the
                              TCW/DW Funds.

John Van Heuvelen             President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Executive Vice                of DWTC.
President

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Joseph J. McAlinden
Executive Vice President
and Chief Investment
Officer                       Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds and
                              Director of DWTC.

Sheldon Curtis                Assistant Secretary of DWR; Senior Vice President,
Senior Vice President,        Secretary and General Counsel of DWSC; Senior Vice
General Counsel and           President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant
Secretary                     Secretary of Distributors; Senior Vice President
                              and Secretary of DWTC; Vice President, Secretary
                              and General Counsel of the Dean Witter Funds and
                              the TCW/DW Funds.


Peter M. Avelar
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Mark Bavoso
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Richard Felegy
Senior Vice President

Edward Gaylor
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Robert S. Giambrone
Senior Vice President         Senior Vice President of DWSC, Distributors
                              and DWTC and Director of DWTC; Vice President
                              of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Rajesh K. Gupta
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kenton J. Hinchcliffe
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kevin Hurley
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Jenny Beth Jones              Vice President of Dean Witter Special Value Fund.
Senior Vice President

John B. Kemp, III             Director of the Provident Savings Bank, Jersey
Senior Vice President         City, New Jersey.

Anita Kolleeny
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Jonathan R. Page
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Ira N. Ross
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Rochelle G. Siegel
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.


Paul D. Vance
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Elizabeth A. Vetell
Senior Vice President

James F. Willison
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Ronald J. Worobel
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Thomas F. Caloia              First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of
First Vice President          DWSC, Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;
and Assistant                 Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the
Treasurer                     Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Marilyn K. Cranney            Assistant Secretary of DWR; First Vice President
First Vice President          and Assistant Secretary of DWSC; Assistant
and Assistant Secretary       Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW
                              Funds.

Barry Fink                    First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Vice President          DWSC; Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter
and Assistant Secretary       Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Michael Interrante            First Vice President and Controller of DWSC;
First Vice President          Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;First Vice
and Controller                President and Treasurer of DWTC.

Robert Zimmerman
First Vice President

Joan Allman
Vice President

Joseph Arcieri
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kirk Balzer
Vice President                Vice President of Various Dean Witter Funds.

Douglas Brown
Vice President

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Philip Casparius
Vice President

Thomas Chronert
Vice President


Rosalie Clough
Vice President

Patricia A. Cuddy
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

B. Catherine Connelly
Vice President

Salvatore DeSteno
Vice President                Vice President of DWSC.

Frank J. DeVito
Vice President                Vice President of DWSC.

Bruce Dunn
Vice President

Jeffrey D. Geffen
Vice President

Deborah Genovese
Vice President

Peter W. Gurman
Vice President

John Hechtlinger
Vice President

Peter Hermann
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds

Elizabeth Hinchman
Vice President

David Hoffman
Vice President

David Johnson
Vice President

Christopher Jones
Vice President

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

James Kastberg
Vice President

Stanley Kapica
Vice President

Michael Knox
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds

Konrad J. Krill
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Paula LaCosta
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Thomas Lawlor
Vice President

Gerard Lian
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

LouAnne D. McInnis            Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and            Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary           the TCW/DW Funds.

Sharon K. Milligan
Vice President

Julie Morrone
Vice President

David Myers
Vice President

James Nash
Vice President

Richard Norris
Vice President

Anne Pickrell
Vice President                Vice President of Dean Witter Global Short-
                              Term Income Fund Inc.
Hugh Rose
Vice President

Robert Rossetti
Vice President

Ruth Rossi                    Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and            Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary           the TCW/DW Funds.

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Carl F. Sadler
Vice President

Rafael Scolari
Vice President                Vice President of Prime Income Trust

Peter Seeley                  Vice President of Dean Witter World
Vice President                Wide Income Trust

Jayne M. Stevlingson
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kathleen Stromberg
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Vinh Q. Tran
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Alice Weiss
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Katherine Wickham
Vice President

Item 29.    PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

     (a)  Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("Distributors"), a Delaware
          corporation, is the principal underwriter of the Registrant.
          Distributors is also the principal underwriter of the following
          investment companies:

 (1)             Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
 (2)             Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
 (3)             Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
 (4)             Dean Witter Retirement Series
 (5)             Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
 (6)             Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation
 (7)             Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
 (8)             Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
 (9)             Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(10)             Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(11)             Active Assets Money Trust
(12)             Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(13)             Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(14)             Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(15)             Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(16)             Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(17)             Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(18)             Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(19)             Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(20)             Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(21)             Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust

<PAGE>

(22)             Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(23)             Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(24)             Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(25)             Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(26)             Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(27)             Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(28)             Prime Income Trust
(29)             Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(30)             Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(31)             Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(32)             Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(33)             Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(34)             Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(35)             Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(36)             Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(37)             Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(38)             Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(39)             Dean Witter American Value Fund
(40)             Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(41)             Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(42)             Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(43)             Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44)             Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(45)             Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46)             Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47)             Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48)             Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(49)             Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(50)             Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(51)             Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(52)             Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(53)             Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(54)             Dean Witter Information Fund
(55)             Dean Witter Japan Fund
(56)             Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
(57)             Dean Witter Special Value Fund
(58)             Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
 (1)             TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
 (2)             TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
 (3)             TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
 (4)             TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
 (5)             TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
 (6)             TCW/DW Balanced Fund
 (7)             TCW/DW Total Return Trust
 (8)             TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
 (9)             TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
 (10)            TCW/DW Strategic Income Trust

     (b)  The following information is given regarding directors and officers 
     of Distributors not listed in Item 28 above.  The principal address of 
     Distributors is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.  None 
     of the following persons has any position or office with the Registrant.

<PAGE>



                                    Positions and
                                    Office with
Name                                Distributors
- ----                                --------------

Fredrick K. Kubler                  Senior Vice President, Assistant
                                    Secretary and Chief Compliance
                                    Officer.


Michael T. Gregg                    Vice President and Assistant
                                    Secretary.

Item 30.    LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

       All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder are
maintained by the Investment Manager at its offices, except records relating to
holders of shares issued by the Registrant, which are maintained by the
Registrant's Transfer Agent, at its place of business as shown in the
prospectus.


Item 31.    MANAGEMENT SERVICES

        Registrant is not a party to any such management-related service
contract.

Item 32.    UNDERTAKINGS

        Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus
is delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to
shareholders, upon request and without charge.



<PAGE>

                                      SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York
and State of New York on the 28th day of January, 1997.

                              DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND

                                      By  /s/ Sheldon Curtis
                                     ----------------------
                                     Sheldon Curtis
                                    Vice President and Secretary

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.

    Signatures                    Title                     Date
    ----------                    -----                     ----

(1) Principal Executive Officer    President, Chief
                                   Executive Officer,
                                   Trustee and Chairman
By   /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo                                01/28/97
    ------------------------------
        Charles A. Fiumefreddo

(2) Principal Financial Officer    Treasurer and Principal
                                   Accounting Officer

By  /s/ Thomas F. Caloia                                       01/28/97
    ------------------------------
        Thomas F. Caloia

(3) Majority of the Trustees

    Charles A. Fiumefreddo (Chairman)
    Philip J. Purcell

By   /s/ Sheldon Curtis                                        01/28/97
    -------------------------------
        Sheldon Curtis
        Attorney-in-Fact


    Michael Bozic              Manuel H. Johnson
    Edwin J.Garn               Michael E. Nugent
    John R. Haire              John L. Schroeder

By   /s/ David M. Butowsky                                     01/28/97
    --------------------------------
        David M. Butowsky
        Attorney-in-Fact

<PAGE>

                        DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
                                    EXHIBIT INDEX

2.       -  Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant dated
            as of October 25, 1996

8.       -  Amendment to the Custody Agreement between the
            Registrant and The Bank of New York

11.      -  Consent of Independent Accountants

16.      -  Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotations

27.      -  Financial Data Schedule

Other.   -  Power of Attorney of Michael E. Nugent

       -------------------------------
       All other exhibits were previously filed and are hereby
       incorporated by reference.


<PAGE>

                                   BY-LAWS

                                      OF

                    DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
                 AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF OCTOBER 25, 1996

                                  ARTICLE I
                                 DEFINITIONS

   The terms "COMMISSION", "DECLARATION", "DISTRIBUTOR", "INVESTMENT
ADVISER", "MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER VOTE", "1940 ACT", "SHAREHOLDER", "SHARES",
"TRANSFER AGENT", "TRUST", "TRUST PROPERTY", and "TRUSTEES" have the
respective meanings given them in the Declaration of Trust of Dean Witter
Capital Appreciation Fund dated July 28, 1995.

                                  ARTICLE II
                                   OFFICES

   SECTION 2.1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. Until changed by the Trustees, the
principal office of the Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be
in the City of Boston, County of Suffolk.

   SECTION 2.2. OTHER OFFICES. In addition to its principal office in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Trust may have an office or offices in the
City of New York, State of New York, and at such other places within and
without the Commonwealth as the Trustees may from time to time designate or
the business of the Trust may require.

                                 ARTICLE III
                            SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS

   SECTION 3.1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of Shareholders shall be held at
such place, within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as may be
designated from time to time by the Trustees.

   SECTION 3.2. MEETINGS. Meetings of Shareholders of the Trust shall be held
whenever called by the Trustees or the President of the Trust and whenever
election of a Trustee or Trustees by Shareholders is required by the
provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, for that purpose. Meetings of
Shareholders shall also be called by the Secretary upon the written request
of the holders of Shares entitled to vote as otherwise required by Section
16(c) of the 1940 Act and to the extent required by the corporate or business
statute of any state in which the Shares of the Trust are sold, as made
applicable to the Trust by the provisions of Section 2.3 of the Declaration.
Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting and the
matters proposed to be acted on thereat. Except to the extent otherwise
required by Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, as made applicable to the Trust by
the provisions of Section 2.3 of the Declaration, the Secretary shall inform
such Shareholders of the reasonable estimated cost of preparing and mailing
such notice of the meeting, and upon payment to the Trust of such costs, the
Secretary shall give notice stating the purpose or purposes of the meeting to
all entitled to vote at such meeting. No meeting need be called upon the
request of the holders of Shares entitled to cast less than a majority of all
votes entitled to be cast at such meeting, to consider any matter which is
substantially the same as a matter voted upon at any meeting of Shareholders
held during the preceding twelve months.

   SECTION 3.3. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written or printed notice of every
Shareholders' meeting stating the place, date, and purpose or purposes
thereof, shall be given by the Secretary not less than ten (10) nor more than
ninety (90) days before such meeting to each Shareholder entitled to vote at
such meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the
United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Shareholder at his
address as it appears on the records of the Trust.

                                1
<PAGE>

   SECTION 3.4. QUORUM AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS. Except as otherwise
provided by law, by the Declaration or by these By-Laws, at all meetings of
Shareholders the holders of a majority of the Shares issued and outstanding
and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy,
shall be requisite and shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. In the absence of a quorum, the Shareholders present or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote thereat shall have power to adjourn the meeting
from time to time. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned without
further notice. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present,
any business may be transacted as if the meeting had been held as originally
called.

   SECTION 3.5. VOTING RIGHTS, PROXIES. At each meeting of Shareholders, each
holder of record of Shares entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to one
vote in person or by proxy, executed in writing by the Shareholder or his
duly authorized attorney-in-fact, for each Share of beneficial interest of
the Trust and for the fractional portion of one vote for each fractional
Share entitled to vote so registered in his name on the records of the Trust
on the date fixed as the record date for the determination of Shareholders
entitled to vote at such meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months
from its date, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. At all meetings of
Shareholders, unless the voting is conducted by inspectors, all questions
relating to the qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the
acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by the chairman of the
meeting. Pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the Trustees, proxies may
be solicited in the name of one or more Trustees or Officers of the Trust.

   SECTION 3.6. VOTE REQUIRED. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the
Declaration of Trust, or by these By-Laws, at each meeting of Shareholders at
which a quorum is present, all matters shall be decided by Majority
Shareholder Vote.

   SECTION 3.7. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. In advance of any meeting of
Shareholders, the Trustees may appoint Inspectors of Election to act at the
meeting or any adjournment thereof. If Inspectors of Election are not so
appointed, the chairman of any meeting of Shareholders may, and on the
request of any Shareholder or his proxy shall, appoint Inspectors of Election
of the meeting. In case any person appointed as Inspector fails to appear or
fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the
Trustees in advance of the convening of the meeting or at the meeting by the
person acting as chairman. The Inspectors of Election shall determine the
number of Shares outstanding, the Shares represented at the meeting, the
existence of a quorum, the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies,
shall receive votes, ballots or consents, shall hear and determine all
challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to
vote, shall count and tabulate all votes or consents, determine the results,
and do such other acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with
fairness to all Shareholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting, or
of any Shareholder or his proxy, the Inspectors of Election shall make a
report in writing of any challenge or question or matter determined by them
and shall execute a certificate of any facts found by them.

   SECTION 3.8. INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS. Shareholders shall have such
rights and procedures of inspection of the books and records of the Trust as
are granted to Shareholders under Section 32 of the Corporations Law of the
State of Massachusetts.

   SECTION 3.9. ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS WITHOUT MEETING. Except as otherwise
provided by law, the provisions of these By-Laws relating to notices and
meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a
majority of the Shareholders entitled to vote upon the action consent to the
action in writing and such consents are filed with the records of the Trust.
Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting
of Shareholders.

   SECTION 3.10 PRESENCE AT MEETINGS. Presence at meetings of shareholders
require physical attendance by the shareholders or his or her proxy at the
meeting site and does not encompass attendance by telephonic or other
electronic means.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE IV
                                   TRUSTEES

   SECTION 4.1. MEETINGS OF THE TRUSTEES. The Trustees may in their
discretion provide for regular or special meetings of the Trustees. Regular
meetings of the Trustees may be held at such time and place as shall be
determined from time to time by the Trustees without further notice. Special
meetings of the Trustees may be called at any time by the Chairman and shall
be called by the Chairman or the Secretary upon the written request of any
two (2) Trustees.

   SECTION 4.2. NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS. Written notice of special
meetings of the Trustees, stating the place, date and time thereof, shall be
given not less than two (2) days before such meeting to each Trustee,
personally, by telegram, by mail, or by leaving such notice at his place of
residence or usual place of business. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed
to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid,
directed to the Trustee at his address as it appears on the records of the
Trust. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, notice or waiver of notice
need not specify the purpose of any special meeting.

   SECTION 4.3. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Subject to the provisions of the 1940
Act, any Trustee, or any member or members of any committee designated by the
Trustees, may participate in a meeting of the Trustees, or any such
committee, as the case may be, by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means
constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

   SECTION 4.4. QUORUM, VOTING AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS. At all meetings
of the Trustees, a majority of the Trustees shall be requisite to and shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present,
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present shall be the act
of the Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is expressly
required for such action by law, the Declaration or these By-Laws. If at any
meeting of the Trustees there be less than a quorum present, the Trustees
present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice
other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall have been
obtained.

   SECTION 4.5. ACTION BY TRUSTEES WITHOUT MEETING. The provisions of these
By-Laws covering notices and meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, and
except as required by law, any action required or permitted to be taken at
any meeting of the Trustees may be taken without a meeting if a consent in
writing setting forth the action shall be signed by all of the Trustees
entitled to vote upon the action and such written consent is filed with the
minutes of proceedings of the Trustees.

   SECTION 4.6. EXPENSES AND FEES. Each Trustee may be allowed expenses, if
any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Trustees, and
each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Trust or of its
investment manager or underwriter or of any corporate affiliate of any of
said persons shall receive for services rendered as a Trustee of the Trust
such compensation as may be fixed by the Trustees. Nothing herein contained
shall be construed to preclude any Trustee from serving the Trust in any
other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

   SECTION 4.7.  EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS AND DOCUMENTS AND SIGNING OF CHECKS
AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS AND TRANSFERS. All instruments, documents and other
papers shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Trust and all
checks, notes, drafts and other obligations for the payment of money by the
Trust shall be signed, and all transfer of securities standing in the name of
the Trust shall be executed, by the Chairman, the President, any Vice
President or the Treasurer or by any one or more officers or agents of the
Trust as shall be designated for that purpose by vote of the Trustees;
notwithstanding the above, nothing in this Section 4.7 shall be deemed to
preclude the electronic authorization, by designated persons, of the Trust's
Custodian (as described herein in Section 9.1) to transfer assets of the
Trust, as provided for herein in Section 9.1.

   SECTION 4.8. INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND
AGENTS. (a) The Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative

                                3
<PAGE>

(other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact
that he is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust. The
indemnification shall be against expenses, including attorneys' fees,
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding, if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment,
order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did
not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his
conduct was unlawful.

   (b) The Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action
or suit by or on behalf of the Trust to obtain a judgment or decree in its
favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Trustee, officer, employee,
or agent of the Trust. The indemnification shall be against expenses,
including attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit, if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the Trust; except that no indemnification shall be
made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which the person has
been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of
his duty to the Trust, except to the extent that the court in which the
action or suit was brought, or a court of equity in the county in which the
Trust has its principal office, determines upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, the
person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for those expenses
which the court shall deem proper, provided such Trustee, officer, employee
or agent is not adjudged to be liable by reason of his willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of his office.

   (c) To the extent that a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit
or proceeding referred to in subsection (a) or (b) or in defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses,
including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.

   (d) (1) Unless a court orders otherwise, any indemnification under
subsections (a) or (b) of this section may be made by the Trust only as
authorized in the specific case after a determination that indemnification of
the Trustee, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
subsections (a) or (b).

       (2) The determination shall be made:

       (i) By the Trustees, by a majority vote of a quorum which consists of
    Trustees who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding; or

      (ii) If the required quorum is not obtainable, or if a quorum of
    disinterested Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a
    written opinion; or

     (iii) By the Shareholders.

     (3) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 4.8, no person shall
    be entitled to indemnification for any liability, whether or not there is
    an adjudication of liability, arising by reason of willful misfeasance,
    bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties as described
    in Section 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
    ("disabling conduct"). A person shall be deemed not liable by reason of
    disabling conduct if, either:

       (i) a final decision on the merits is made by a court or other body
    before whom the proceeding was brought that the person to be indemnified
    ("indemnitee") was not liable by reason of disabling conduct; or

      (ii) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination,
    based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnitee was not liable by
    reason of disabling conduct, is made by either--

                                       4
<PAGE>

          (A) a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither "interested
         persons" of the Trust, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the
         Investment Company Act of 1940, nor parties to the action, suit or
         proceeding, or

          (B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

   (e) Expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by a Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust in defending a civil or criminal action, suit
or proceeding may be paid by the Trust in advance of the final disposition
thereof if:

        (1) authorized in the specific case by the Trustees; and

        (2) the Trust receives an undertaking by or on behalf of the Trustee,
    officer, employee or agent of the Trust to repay the advance if it is not
    ultimately determined that such person is entitled to be indemnified by
    the Trust; and

        (3) either, (i) such person provides a security for his undertaking,
    or

           (ii) the Trust is insured against losses by reason of any lawful
         advances, or

          (iii) a determination, based on a review of readily available
         facts, that there is reason to believe that such person ultimately
         will be found entitled to indemnification, is made by either--

              (A) a majority of a quorum which consists of Trustees who are
             neither "interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in Section
             2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, nor parties to the action, suit or
             proceeding, or

              (B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

   (f) The indemnification provided by this Section shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled under any
by-law, agreement, vote of Shareholders or disinterested Trustees or
otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding the office, and shall continue as to a person
who has ceased to be a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent and inure to the
benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person; provided
that no person may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement granted
herein or to which he may be otherwise entitled except out of the property of
the Trust, and no Shareholder shall be personally liable with respect to any
claim for indemnity or reimbursement or otherwise.

   (g) The Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person
who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust, against
any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity,
or arising out of his status as such. However, in no event will the Trust
purchase insurance to indemnify any officer or Trustee against liability for
any act for which the Trust itself is not permitted to indemnify him.

   (h) Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to protect any
Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to its
security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.

                                  ARTICLE V
                                  COMMITTEES

   SECTION 5.1. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES. The Trustees, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the Trustees, may designate an Executive Committee
and/or committees, each committee to consist of two (2) or more of the
Trustees of the Trust and may delegate to such committees, in the intervals
between meetings of the Trustees, any or all of the powers of the Trustees in
the management of the business and affairs of the Trust. In the absence of
any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting,
whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a Trustee to act in
place of such absent member. Each such committee shall keep a record of its
proceedings.

                                       5
<PAGE>

   The Executive Committee and any other committee shall fix its own rules or
procedure, but the presence of at least fifty percent (50%) of the members of
the whole committee shall in each case be necessary to constitute a quorum of
the committee and the affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the
committee present at the meeting shall be necessary to take action.

   All actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Trustees
at the meeting thereof next succeeding to the taking of such action.

   SECTION 5.2. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The Trustees may appoint an advisory
committee which shall be composed of persons who do not serve the Trust in
any other capacity and which shall have advisory functions with respect to
the investments of the Trust but which shall have no power to determine that
any security or other investment shall be purchased, sold or otherwise
disposed of by the Trust. The number of persons constituting any such
advisory committee shall be determined from time to time by the Trustees. The
members of any such advisory committee may receive compensation for their
services and may be allowed such fees and expenses for the attendance at
meetings as the Trustees may from time to time determine to be appropriate.

   SECTION 5.3. COMMITTEE ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. The provisions of these
By-Laws covering notices and meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, and
except as required by law, any action required or permitted to be taken at
any meeting of any Committee of the Trustees appointed pursuant to Section
5.1 of these By-Laws may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing
setting forth the action shall be signed by all members of the Committee
entitled to vote upon the action and such written consent is filed with the
records of the proceedings of the Committee.

                                  ARTICLE VI
                                   OFFICERS

   SECTION 6.1. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The executive officers of the Trust shall
be a Chairman, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a
Treasurer. The Chairman shall be selected from among the Trustees but none of
the other executive officers need be a Trustee. Two or more offices, except
those of President and any Vice President, may be held by the same person,
but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more
than one capacity. The executive officers of the Trust shall be elected
annually by the Trustees and each executive officer so elected shall hold
office until his successor is elected and has qualified.

   SECTION 6.2. OTHER OFFICERS AND AGENTS. The Trustees may also elect one or
more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant
Treasurers and may elect, or may delegate to the Chairman the power to
appoint, such other officers and agents as the Trustees shall at any time or
from time to time deem advisable.

   SECTION 6.3. TERM AND REMOVAL AND VACANCIES. Each officer of the Trust
shall hold office until his successor is elected and has qualified. Any
officer or agent of the Trust may be removed by the Trustees whenever, in
their judgment, the best interests of the Trust will be served thereby, but
such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of
the person so removed.

   SECTION 6.4. COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS. The compensation of officers and
agents of the Trust shall be fixed by the Trustees, or by the President to
the extent provided by the Trustees with respect to officers appointed by the
President.

   SECTION 6.5. POWER AND DUTIES. All officers and agents of the Trust, as
between themselves and the Trust, shall have such authority and perform such
duties in the management of the Trust as may be provided in or pursuant to
these By-Laws, or to the extent not so provided, as may be prescribed by the
Trustees; provided, that no rights of any third party shall be affected or
impaired by any such By-Law or resolution of the Trustees unless he has
knowledge thereof.

   SECTION 6.6. THE CHAIRMAN. (a) The Chairman shall preside at all meetings
of the Shareholders and of the Trustees, he shall be a signatory on all
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports as may be sent to shareholders, and he shall
perform such other duties as the Trustees may from time to time prescribe.

                                       6
<PAGE>

   SECTION 6.7. THE PRESIDENT. (a) The President shall be the chief executive
officer of the Trust; he shall have general and active management of the
business of the Trust, shall see that all orders and resolutions of the
Trustees are carried into effect, and, in connection therewith, shall be
authorized to delegate to one or more Vice Presidents such of his powers and
duties at such times and in such manner as he may deem advisable.

   (b) In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at all
meetings of the shareholders and the Board of Trustees; and he shall perform
such other duties as the Board of Trustees may from time to time preside.

   SECTION 6.8. THE VICE PRESIDENTS. The Vice Presidents shall be of such
number and shall have such titles as may be determined from time to time by
the Trustees. The Vice President, or, if there be more than one, the Vice
Presidents in the order of their seniority as may be determined from time to
time by the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of
the President, exercise the powers and perform the duties of the President,
and he or they shall perform such other duties as the Trustees or the
President may from time to time prescribe.

   SECTION 6.9. THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS. The Assistant Vice President,
or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Vice Presidents, shall perform
such duties and have such powers as may be assigned them from time to time by
the Trustees or the President.

   SECTION 6.10. THE SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of
the Trustees and all meetings of the Shareholders and record all the
proceedings of the meetings of the Shareholders and of the Trustees in a book
to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for the standing
committees when required. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all
meetings of the Shareholders and special meetings of the Trustees, and shall
perform such other duties and have such powers as the Trustees, or the
President, may from time to time prescribe. He shall keep in safe custody the
seal of the Trust and affix or cause the same to be affixed to any instrument
requiring it, and, when so affixed, it shall be attested by his signature or
by the signature of an Assistant Secretary.

   SECTION 6.11. THE ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. The Assistant Secretary, or, if
there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by
the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of the
Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and
shall perform such duties and have such other powers as the Trustees or the
President may from time to time prescribe.

   SECTION 6.12. THE TREASURER. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial
officer of the Trust. He shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate
accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Trust, and
he shall render to the Trustees and the President, whenever any of them
require it, an account of his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial
condition of the Trust; and he shall perform such other duties as the
Trustees, or the President, may from time to time prescribe.

   SECTION 6.13. THE ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The Assistant Treasurer, or, if
there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order
determined by the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or
disability of the Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of
the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers
as the Trustees, or the President, may from time to time prescribe.

   SECTION 6.14. DELEGATION OF DUTIES. Whenever an officer is absent or
disabled, or whenever for any reason the Trustees may deem it desirable, the
Trustees may delegate the powers and duties of an officer or officers to any
other officer or officers or to any Trustee or Trustees.

                                 ARTICLE VII
                         DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

   Subject to any applicable provisions of law and the Declaration, dividends
and distributions upon the Shares may be declared at such intervals as the
Trustees may determine, in cash, in securities or other property, or in
Shares, from any sources permitted by law, all as the Trustees shall from
time to time determine.

                                7
<PAGE>

   Inasmuch as the computation of net income and net profits from the sales
of securities or other properties for federal income tax purposes may vary
from the computation thereof on the records of the Trust, the Trustees shall
have power, in their discretion, to distribute as income dividends and as
capital gain distributions, respectively, amounts sufficient to enable the
Trust to avoid or reduce liability for federal income taxes.

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                            CERTIFICATES OF SHARES

   SECTION 8.1. CERTIFICATES OF SHARES. Certificates for Shares of each
series or class of Shares shall be in such form and of such design as the
Trustees shall approve, subject to the right of the Trustees to change such
form and design at any time or from time to time, and shall be entered in the
records of the Trust as they are issued. Each such certificate shall bear a
distinguishing number; shall exhibit the holder's name and certify the number
of full Shares owned by such holder; shall be signed by or in the name of the
Trust by the President, or a Vice President, and countersigned by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer and an Assistant
Treasurer of the Trust; shall be sealed with the seal; and shall contain such
recitals as may be required by law. Where any certificate is signed by a
Transfer Agent or by a Registrar, the signature of such officers and the seal
may be facsimile, printed or engraved. The Trust may, at its option,
determine not to issue a certificate or certificates to evidence Shares owned
of record by any Shareholder.

   In case any officer or officers who shall have signed, or whose facsimile
signature or signatures shall appear on, any such certificate or certificates
shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Trust, whether because of
death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates
shall have been delivered by the Trust, such certificate or certificates
shall, nevertheless, be adopted by the Trust and be issued and delivered as
though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or
whose facsimile signature or signatures shall appear therein had not ceased
to be such officer or officers of the Trust.

   No certificate shall be issued for any share until such share is fully
paid.

   SECTION 8.2. LOST, STOLEN, DESTROYED AND MUTILATED CERTIFICATES. The
Trustees may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place
of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Trust alleged to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon satisfactory proof of such loss,
theft, or destruction; and the Trustees may, in their discretion, require the
owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal
representative, to give to the Trust and to such Registrar, Transfer Agent
and/or Transfer Clerk as may be authorized or required to countersign such
new certificate or certificates, a bond in such sum and of such type as they
may direct, and with such surety or sureties, as they may direct, as
indemnity against any claim that may be against them or any of them on
account of or in connection with the alleged loss, theft or destruction of
any such certificate.

                                  ARTICLE IX
                                  CUSTODIAN

   SECTION 9.1. APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES. The Trust shall at times employ a
bank or trust company having capital, surplus and undivided profits of at
least five million dollars ($5,000,000) as custodian with authority as its
agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other requirements,
if any, as may be contained in these By-Laws and the 1940 Act:

     (1) to receive and hold the securities owned by the Trust and deliver
    the same upon written or electronically transmitted order;

     (2) to receive and receipt for any moneys due to the Trust and deposit
    the same in its own banking department or elsewhere as the Trustees may
    direct;

     (3) to disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers;

                                       8

<PAGE>

all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the
Trustees and the custodian. If so directed by a Majority Shareholder Vote,
the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Trust held by it
as specified in such vote.

   The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or more
sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of
the custodian and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon
between the custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees.

   SECTION 9.2. CENTRAL CERTIFICATE SYSTEM. Subject to such rules,
regulations and orders as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct
the custodian to deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust
in a system for the central handling of securities established by a national
securities exchange or a national securities association registered with the
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or such other person as
may be permitted by the Commission, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940
Act, pursuant to which system all securities of any particular class or
series of any issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and
may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery
of such securities, provided that all such deposits shall be subject to
withdrawal only upon the order of the Trust.

                                  ARTICLE X
                               WAIVER OF NOTICE

   Whenever any notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of
Shareholders, Trustees, or of any committee is required to be given in
accordance with law or under the provisions of the Declaration or these
By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons
entitled to such notice and filed with the records of the meeting, whether
before or after the holding thereof, or actual attendance at the meeting of
shareholders, Trustees or committee, as the case may be, in person, shall be
deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice to such person.

                                  ARTICLE XI
                                MISCELLANEOUS

   SECTION 11.1. LOCATION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS. The books and records of the
Trust may be kept outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at such place or
places as the Trustees may from time to time determine, except as otherwise
required by law.

   SECTION 11.2. RECORD DATE. The Trustees may fix in advance a date as the
record date for the purpose of determining Shareholders entitled to notice
of, or to vote at, any meeting of Shareholders, or Shareholders entitled to
receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any rights, or in order
to make a determination of Shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such
date, in any case, shall be not more than ninety (90) days, and in case of a
meeting of Shareholders not less than ten (10) days, prior to the date on
which particular action requiring such determination of Shareholders is to be
taken. In lieu of fixing a record date the Trustees may provide that the
transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not to exceed, in any
case, twenty (20) days. If the transfer books are closed for the purpose of
determining Shareholders entitled to notice of a vote at a meeting of
Shareholders, such books shall be closed for at least ten (10) days
immediately preceding such meeting.

   SECTION 11.3. SEAL. The Trustees shall adopt a seal, which shall be in
such form and shall have such inscription thereon as the Trustees may from
time to time provide. The seal of the Trust may be affixed to any document,
and the seal and its attestation may be lithographed, engraved or otherwise
printed on any document with the same force and effect as if it had been
imprinted and attested manually in the same manner and with the same effect
as if done by a Massachusetts business corporation under Massachusetts law.

   SECTION 11.4. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Trust shall end on such
date as the Trustees may by resolution specify, and the Trustees may by
resolution change such date for future fiscal years at any time and from time
to time.

                                       9
<PAGE>

   SECTION 11.5. ORDERS FOR PAYMENT OF MONEY. All orders or instructions for
the payment of money of the Trust, and all notes or other evidences of
indebtedness issued in the name of the Trust, shall be signed by such officer
or officers or such other person or persons as the Trustees may from time to
time designate, or as may be specified in or pursuant to the agreement
between the Trust and the bank or trust company appointed as Custodian of the
securities and funds of the Trust.

                                 ARTICLE XII
                     COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS

   The Trustees are hereby empowered to take such action as they may deem to
be necessary, desirable or appropriate so that the Trust is or shall be in
compliance with any federal or state statute, rule or regulation with which
compliance by the Trust is required.

                                 ARTICLE XIII
                                  AMENDMENTS

   These By-Laws may be amended, altered, or repealed, or new By-Laws may be
adopted, (a) by a Majority Shareholder Vote, or (b) by the Trustees;
provided, however, that no By-Law may be amended, adopted or repealed by the
Trustees if such amendment, adoption or repeal requires, pursuant to law, the
Declaration, or these By-Laws, a vote of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall
in no event adopt By-Laws which are in conflict with the Declaration, and any
apparent inconsistency shall be construed in favor of the related provisions
in the Declaration.

                                 ARTICLE XIV
                             DECLARATION OF TRUST

   The Declaration of Trust establishing Dean Witter Capital Appreciation
Fund, dated July 28, 1995, a copy of which is on file in the office of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name Dean
Witter Capital Appreciation Fund refers to the Trustees under the Declaration
collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and no
Trustee, Shareholder, officer, employee or agent of Dean Witter Capital
Appreciation Fund shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort
be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or
claim or otherwise, in connection with the affairs of said Dean Witter
Capital Appreciation Fund, but the Trust Estate only shall be liable.

                                       10



<PAGE>

                         AMENDMENT TO CUSTODY AGREEMENT

     Amendment made as of this 17th day of April, 1996 by and between Dean 
Witter Capital Appreciation Fund (the "Fund") and The Bank of New York (the 
"Custodian") to the Custody Agreement between the Fund and the Custodian 
dated October 27, 1995 (the "Custody Agreement"). The Custody Agreement is 
hereby amended as follows:

     Article XV Section 8 of the Custody Agreement shall be deleted and be
replaced by Sections 8.(a), 8.(b) and 8.(c) as set forth below:

     "8.  (a)  The Custodian will use reasonable care with respect to its 
obligations under this Agreement and the safekeeping of Securities and moneys 
owned by the Fund. The Custodian shall indemnify the Fund against and save 
the Fund harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever, 
including attorneys' fees, howsoever arising or incurred as the result of the 
failure of a subcustodian which is a banking institution located in a foreign 
country and identified on Schedule A attached hereto and as amended from time 
to time upon mutual agreement of the parties (each, a "Subcustodian") to 
exercise reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of such Securities 
and moneys to the same extent that the Custodian would be liable to the Fund 
if the Custodian were holding such securities and moneys in New York. In the 
event of any loss to the Fund by reason of the failure of the Custodian or a 
Subcustodian to utilize reasonable care, the Custodian shall be liable to the 
Fund only to the extent of the Fund's direct damages, to be determined based 
on the market value of the Securities and moneys which are the subject of the 
loss at the date of discovery of such loss and without reference to any 
special conditions or circumstances.

     8.   (b)  The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss which results from
(i) the general risk of investing, or (ii) investing or holding Securities and
moneys in a particular country including, but not limited to, losses resulting
from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation of
the banking or securities industry; currency restrictions, devaluations or
fluctuations; or market conditions which prevent the orderly execution of
securities transactions or affect the value of Securities or moneys.

     8.   (c)  Neither party shall be liable to the other for any loss due to
forces beyond its control including, but not limited to, strikes or work
stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear fusion,
fission or radiation, or acts of God."

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized and their
respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above
written.

                                        DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND


[SEAL]                                  By: /s/ David Hughey
                                           ------------------------------------

Attest:

/s/ R.M. Scanlan
- -----------------------------


                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK


[SEAL]                                  By: /s/ Steven Grunton
                                           ------------------------------------

Attest:

/s/ Vincent Blazewicz
- -----------------------------

<PAGE>

                             SCHEDULE A

COUNTRY/MARKET                     SUBCUSTODIAN
- --------------                     ------------

Argentina                          The Bank of Boston
Australia                          ANZ Banking Group Limited
Austria                            Girocredit Bank AG
Bangladesh*                        Standard Chartered Bank
Belgium                            Banque Bruxelles Lambert
Botswana*                          Stanbic Bank Botswana Ltd.
Brazil                             The Bank of Boston
Canada                             Royal Trust/Royal Bank of Canada
Chile                              The Bank of Boston/Banco de Chile
China                              Standard Chartered Bank
Columbia                           Citibank, N.A.
Denmark                            Den Danske Bank
Euromarket                         CEDEL
                                   Euroclear
                                   First Chicago Clearing Centre
Finland                            Union Bank of Finland
France                             Banque Paribas/Credit Commercial de France
Germany                            Dresdner Bank A.G.
Ghana*                             Merchant Bank Ghana Ltd.
Greece                             Alpha Credit Bank
Hong Kong                          Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Indonesia                          Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Ireland                            Allied Irish Bank
Israel                             Israel Discount Bank
Italy                              Banca Commerciale Italiana
Japan                              Yasuda Trust & Banking Co., Lt.
Korea                              Bank of Seoul
Luxembourg                         Kredietbank S.A.
Malaysia                           Hong Kong Bank Malaysia Berhad
Mexico                             Banco Nacional de Mexico (Banamex)
Netherlands                        Mees Pierson
New Zealand                        ANZ Banking Group Limited
Norway                             Den Norske Bank
Pakistan                           Standard Chartered Bank
Peru                               Citibank, N.A.
Philippines                        Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Poland                             Bank Handlowy w Warsawie
Portugal                           Banco Comercial Portugues
Singapore                          United Overseas Bank
South Africa                       Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Spain                              Banco Bilbao Vizcaya
Sri Lanka                          Standard Chartered Bank

<PAGE>

                             SCHEDULE A

COUNTRY/MARKET                     SUBCUSTODIAN
- --------------                     ------------

Sweden                             Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken
Switzerland                        Union Bank of Switzerland
Taiwan                             Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Thailand                           Siam Commercial Bank
Turkey                             Citibank, N.A.
United Kingdom                     The Bank of New York
United States                      The Bank of New York
Uruguay                            The Bank of Boston
Venezuela                          Citibank N.A.
Zimbabwe*                          Stanbic Bank of Zimbabwe Ltd.


* Not yet 17(f)5 compliant

<PAGE>

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information 
constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration 
Statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated 
January 10, 1997, relating to the financial statements and financial 
highlights of Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund, which appears in such 
Statement of Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference of 
our report into the Prospectus which constitutes part of this Registration 
Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Financial 
Highlights" in such Prospectus and to the references to us under the headings 
"Independent Accountants" and "Experts" in the Statement of Additional 
Information.

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
January 28, 1997


<PAGE>

                 SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATIONS OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
                        DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND




(A) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (I.E. STANDARDIZED COMPUTATIONS)

                             _                                  _
                            |        ______________________  |
FORMULA:                    |       |                        |
                            |  /\ n |          ERV           |
                    T  =    |    \  |     -------------      |  - 1
                            |     \ |           P            |
                            |      \|                        |
                            |_                              _|

                   T = AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND RETURN
                   n = NUMBER OF YEARS
                 ERV = ENDING REDEEMABLE VALUE
                   P = INITIAL INVESTMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 (A)
  $1,000         ERV AS OF             NUMBER OF             AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P      30-Nov-96            YEARS - n             COMPOUND RETURN - T
- -------------    -----------           -----------           ----------------------
<S>              <C>                   <C>                   <C>
 30-Nov-95        $1,183.60                  1.00                       18.36%

 27-Oct-95        $1,259.00                  1.10                       23.41%

</TABLE>



(B) TOTAL RETURN WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE
    (NON STANDARD COMPUTATIONS)
(C) AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURN WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE
    (NON STANDARD COMPUTATIONS)

                             _                                  _
                            |        ______________________  |
FORMULA:                    |       |                        |
                            |  /\ n |          EV            |
                    t  =    |    \  |     -------------      |  - 1
                            |     \ |           P            |
                            |      \|                        |
                            |_                              _|

                                EV
                   TR  =    ----------   - 1
                                 P


             t = AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND RETURN
                 (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
             n = NUMBER OF YEARS
            EV = ENDING VALUE (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
             P = INITIAL INVESTMENT
            TR = TOTAL RETURN (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          (B)                                                (C)
  $1,000         EV AS OF              TOTAL                 NUMBER OF                   AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P      30-Nov-96            RETURN - TR           YEARS - n                   COMPOUND RETURN - t
- -------------    -----------           -----------           -----------------           ------------------------
<S>              <C>                   <C>                   <C>                         <C>
 30-Nov-95        $1,233.60                 23.36%                       1.00                      23.36%

 27-Oct-95        $1,299.00                 29.90%                       1.10                      26.98%

</TABLE>

(D)        GROWTH OF $10,000
(E)        GROWTH OF $50,000
(F)        GROWTH OF $100,000

FORMULA:   G= (TR+1)*P
           G= GROWTH OF INITIAL INVESTMENT
           P= INITIAL INVESTMENT
           TR= TOTAL RETURN SINCE INCEPTION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 TOTAL                  (D)   GROWTH OF        (E)   GROWTH OF          (F)   GROWTH OF
INVESTED - P     RETURN - TR           $10,000 INVESTMENT - G  $50,000 INVESTMENT-G     $100,000 INVESTMENT - G
- -----------      -----------           ---------------------   --------------------------------------
<S>              <C>                   <C>                     <C>                      <C>
 27-Oct-95            29.90               $12,990                          $64,950           $129,900

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                      256,833,118
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                     310,525,450
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,480,256
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                 166,824
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             314,172,530
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                     1,958,750
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                    1,404,799
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                          3,363,549
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                   273,802,192
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                       23,929,847
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        9,688,528
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                   (16,685,543)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    53,692,332
<NET-ASSETS>                               310,808,981
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              414,965
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              191,463
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               4,283,923
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                    (3,677,495)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                  (16,624,523)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   48,698,318
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                       28,396,300
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                     20,783,480
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  6,542,161
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     208,800,450
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (61,020)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                        1,607,148
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                              4,283,923
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                       214,286,402
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.53
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  (.15)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.61
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              12.99
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    2.0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                             POWER OF ATTORNEY





     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that Michael E. Nugent, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints David M. Butowsky, Ronald M. Feiman 
and Stuart M. Strauss, or either of them, his true and lawful 
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution among himself 
and each of the persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and 
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration 
statement of DEAN WITTER CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND, and to file the same, 
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes 
as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that 
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, may lawfully do or 
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



Dated: August 24, 1995





                 /s/ Michael E. Nugent
             ---------------------------
                     Michael E. Nugent


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