-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, BLj+ThA42LKfzDGO2xr0xUXBX4E8oidHWdra77ajDKYbvcebax0jjrQdSJ+vcXzg fW1OZOkHWONu2+SFHQZIww== 0000088053-10-000593.txt : 20100429 0000088053-10-000593.hdr.sgml : 20100429 20100429155330 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000088053-10-000593 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-CSRS PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 10 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20100228 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100429 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100429 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20100429 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DWS EQUITY TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001052427 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-CSRS SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-08599 FILM NUMBER: 10781620 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 345 PARK AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10154-0004 BUSINESS PHONE: 212-454-6778 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 345 PARK AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10154-0004 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SCUDDER EQUITY TRUST/IL DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20010726 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: KEMPER EQUITY TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980106 0001052427 S000023628 DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund C000069598 Class A C000069599 Class C C000069600 Class S C000069601 Institutional Class N-CSRS 1 sr022810det_saaf.htm DWS SELECT ALTERNATIVE ALLOCATION FUND

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSRS

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-08599

 

DWS Equity Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154-0004

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 454-7190

 

Paul Schubert

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154-0004

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Date of fiscal year end:

8/31

 

Date of reporting period:

2/28/2010

 

ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

Semiannual Report
to Shareholders

 

 

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund

saa_cover1a0

Contents

4 Performance Summary

7 Information About Your Fund's Expenses

9 Portfolio Summary

10 Investment Portfolio

12 Financial Statements

15 Financial Highlights

19 Notes to Financial Statements

26 Investment Management Agreement Approval

31 Summary of Management Fee Evaluation by Independent Fee Consultant

36 Account Management Resources

37 Privacy Statement

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, refer to the Account Management Resources information provided in the back of this booklet. We advise you to consider the fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

Although allocation among different asset categories generally limits risk, the investment advisor may favor an asset category that underperforms other assets or markets as a whole. The fund expects to invest in underlying funds that emphasize alternatives or non-traditional asset categories or investment strategies, and as a result, it is subject to the risk factors of those underlying funds. Some of those risks include stock market risk, credit and interest rate risk, floating rate risk, volatility in commodity prices, infrastructure and high-yield debt securities, short sales risk and the political, general economic, liquidity and currency risks of foreign investments, which may be particularly significant for emerging markets. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increased volatility. Short sales — which involve selling borrowed securities in anticipation of a price decline, then returning an equal number of the securities at some point in the future — could magnify losses and increase volatility. See the prospectus for additional risks and specific details regarding the fund's risk profile.

DWS Investments is part of Deutsche Bank's Asset Management division and, within the US, represents the retail asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. and DWS Trust Company.

NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

Performance Summary February 28, 2010

Average Annual Total Returns as of 2/28/10

Unadjusted for Sales Charge

6-Month

1-Year

Life of Fund*

Class A

6.10%

31.34%

7.22%

Class C

5.73%

30.38%

6.41%

Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge

 

 

 

Class A (max 5.75% load)

0.00%

23.78%

2.80%

Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)

4.73%

30.38%

6.41%

No Sales Charges

 

 

 

Class S

6.27%

31.67%

7.46%

Institutional Class

6.27%

31.67%

7.46%

MSCI World Index+

5.21%

54.30%

-0.81%

Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index+

3.19%

9.32%

8.94%

Blended Index +

4.48%

34.95%

3.81%

Sources: Lipper Inc. and Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.

Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.

* The Fund commenced operations on October 1, 2008. Index returns began on September 30, 2008.

Performance in the Average Annual Total Returns table above and the Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment line graph that follows is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal fluctuate so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may differ from performance data shown. Please visit www.dws-investments.com for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had.

The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated December 1, 2009 are 2.12%, 2.94%, 1.84% and 1.80% for Class A, Class C, Class S and Institutional Class shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. These expense ratios include net expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends and, unlike Fund returns, do not reflect any fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly into an index.

Performance figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment (Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)

[] DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund — Class A

[] MSCI World Index+

[] Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index+

[] Blended Index+

saa_g10k160

 

The Fund's growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425.

The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.

Performance of other share classes will vary based on the sales charges and the fee structure of those classes.

* The Fund commenced operations on October 1, 2008. Index returns began on September 30, 2008.

+ The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index is an unmanaged, capitalization-weighted measure of global stock markets including the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and the Far East. The index is calculated using closing local market prices and translates into US dollars using the London close foreign exchange rates.

The Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market-value-weighted measure of Treasury issues, agency issues, corporate bond issues and mortgage securities.

The Blended Index consists of 60% in the MSCI World Index and 40% in the Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index.

Net Asset Value and Distribution Information

 

Class A

Class C

Class S

Institutional Class

Net Asset Value:

2/28/10

$ 10.24

$ 10.23

$ 10.24

$ 10.24

8/31/09

$ 9.89

$ 9.84

$ 9.90

$ 9.90

Distribution Information:

Six Months as of 2/28/10:

Income Dividends

$ .21

$ .13

$ .24

$ .24

Capital Gain Distributions

$ .04

$ .04

$ .04

$ .04

Lipper Rankings — Global Flexible Portfolio Funds Category as of 2/28/10

Period

Rank

 

Number of Fund Classes Tracked

Percentile Ranking (%)

Class A

1-Year

95

of

153

62

Class C

1-Year

101

of

153

66

Class S

1-Year

92

of

153

60

Institutional Class

1-Year

92

of

153

60

Source: Lipper Inc. Rankings are historical and do not guarantee future results. Rankings are based on total return unadjusted for sales charges with distributions reinvested. If sales charges had been included, rankings might have been less favorable.

Information About Your Fund's Expenses

As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include sales charges (loads) and account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following table is intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In addition to the ongoing expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund's shareholders indirectly bear the expense of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests. These expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratios used to calculate the expense estimate in the table. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited the ongoing expenses the Fund bears directly; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The examples in the table are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (September 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010).

The table illustrates your Fund's expenses in two ways:

Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.

Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. An account maintenance fee of $6.25 per quarter for Class S shares may apply for certain accounts whose balances do not meet the applicable minimum initial investment. This fee is not included in the table. If it was, the estimate of expenses paid for Class S shares during the period would be higher, and account value during the period would be lower, by this amount.

Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended February 28, 2010

Actual Fund Return

Class A

Class C

Class S

Institutional Class

Beginning Account Value 9/1/09

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,000.00

Ending Account Value 2/28/10

$ 1,061.00

$ 1,057.30

$ 1,062.70

$ 1,062.70

Expenses Paid per $1,000*

$ 1.84

$ 5.66

$ .56

$ .56

Hypothetical 5% Fund Return

Class A

Class C

Class S

Institutional Class

Beginning Account Value 9/1/09

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,000.00

Ending Account Value 2/28/10

$ 1,023.01

$ 1,019.29

$ 1,024.25

$ 1,024.25

Expenses Paid per $1,000*

$ 1.81

$ 5.56

$ .55

$ .55

* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent six-month period, then divided by 365.

Annualized Expense Ratios**

Class A

Class C

Class S

Institutional Class

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund

.36%

1.11%

.11%

.11%

** The Fund invests in other funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. These ratios do not include these indirect fees and expenses.

For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.

Portfolio Summary

Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio)

2/28/10

8/31/09

 

 

 

Equity Funds

57%

56%

Fixed Income Funds

41%

41%

Money Market Fund

2%

3%

 

100%

100%

Asset allocation is subject to change.

For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 10. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available upon request. A complete list of the Fund's portfolio holdings is posted as of the month end on www.dws-investments.com on or about the 15th day of the following month. More frequent posting of portfolio holdings information may be made from time to time on www.dws-investments.com. Please see the Account Management Resources section for contact information.

Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. This form will be available on the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Investment Portfolio as of February 28, 2010 (Unaudited)

 


Shares

Value ($)

 

 

Equity — Equity Funds 54.9%

DWS Commodity Securities Fund "Institutional"

4,375,657

15,489,824

DWS Disciplined Market Neutral Fund "Institutional"

3,302,726

31,012,593

DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund "Institutional"

490,720

7,777,914

DWS Gold & Precious Metals Fund "Institutional"

255,278

4,720,092

DWS RREEF Global Infrastructure Fund "Institutional"

1,475,871

12,353,037

DWS RREEF Global Real Estate Securities Fund "Institutional"

2,399,962

15,599,752

Total Equity — Equity Funds (Cost $81,808,820)

86,953,212

 

Exchange-Traded Funds 6.6%

iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index Fund

64,433

2,244,201

SPDR Barclays Capital International Treasury Bond

133,457

7,494,945

WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

18,204

752,918

Total — Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $10,557,612)

10,492,064

 

Fixed Income — Bond Funds 36.1%

DWS Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund "Institutional"

1,495,081

15,548,844

DWS Floating Rate Plus Fund "Institutional"

2,029,524

18,488,960

DWS Inflation Protected Plus Fund "Institutional"

2,349,193

23,116,062

Total Fixed Income — Bond Funds (Cost $53,185,990)

57,153,866

 

Fixed Income — Money Market Fund 1.9%

Central Cash Management Fund (Cost $2,897,997)

2,897,997

2,897,997

 

% of Net Assets

Value ($)

 

 

Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $148,450,419)+

99.5

157,497,139

Other Assets and Liabilities, Net

0.5

823,419

Net Assets

100.0

158,320,558

+ The cost for federal income tax purposes was $148,603,130. At February 28, 2010, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $8,894,009. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $9,179,634 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $285,625.

EAFE: Europe, Australasia and Far East

MSCI: Morgan Stanley Capital International

SPDR: Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipt

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of February 28, 2010 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

Assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Equity Funds

$ 86,953,212

$ —

$ —

$ 86,953,212

Exchange-Traded Funds

10,492,064

10,492,064

Bond Funds

57,153,866

57,153,866

Money Market Funds

2,897,997

2,897,997

Total

$ 157,497,139

$ —

$ —

$ 157,497,139

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of February 28, 2010 (Unaudited)

Assets

Investments in Underlying Affiliated Funds, at value (cost $137,892,807)

$ 147,005,075

Investments in Non-Affiliated Funds, at value (cost $10,557,612)

10,492,064

Total investments, at value (cost $148,450,419)

157,497,139

Receivable for Fund shares sold

939,007

Interest receivable

439

Dividends receivable

5,807

Other assets

42,076

Total assets

158,484,468

Liabilities

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

50,112

Other accrued expenses and payables

113,798

Total liabilities

163,910

Net assets, at value

$ 158,320,558

Net Assets Consist of

Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income

(313,801)

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

9,046,720

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

(134,145)

Paid-in capital

149,721,784

Net assets, at value

$ 158,320,558

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of February 28, 2010 (Unaudited) (continued)

Net Asset Value

Class A

Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($140,422,467 ÷ 13,709,619 shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)

$ 10.24

Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 94.25 of $10.24)

$ 10.86

Class C

Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price (subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share ($9,115,257 ÷ 890,977 shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)

$ 10.23

Class S

Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($8,097,302 ÷ 790,843 shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)

$ 10.24

Institutional Class

Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($685,532 ÷ 66,955 shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)

$ 10.24

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Statement of Operations for the six months ended February 28, 2010 (Unaudited)

Investment Income

Income distributions from Underlying Affiliated Funds

$ 2,333,079

Dividends

76,168

Income distributions — affiliated cash management vehicles

2,270

Total Income

2,411,517

Expenses:

Administration fee

59,449

Distribution and service fees

154,361

Services to shareholders

70,679

Custodian fee

3,977

Trustees' fees and expenses

2,217

Reports to shareholders

3,204

Registration fees

33,500

Professional fees and other

19,763

Total expenses before expense reductions

347,150

Expense reductions

(117,001)

Total expenses after expense reductions

230,149

Net investment income

2,181,368

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

Net realized gain (loss) from sale of Underlying Affiliated Funds

(290,820)

Capital gain distributions from Underlying Affiliated Funds

319,702

 

28,882

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

3,231,643

Net gain (loss)

3,260,525

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

$ 5,441,893

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

Six Months Ended February 28, 2010 (Unaudited)

Period Ended August 31, 2009*

Operations:

Net investment income

$ 2,181,368

$ 402,395

Net realized gain (loss)

28,882

830,576

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

3,231,643

5,815,077

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

5,441,893

7,048,048

Distributions to shareholders from:

Net investment income:

Class A

(2,467,572)

(594,015)

Class C

(92,974)

(27,492)

Class S

(146,388)

(10,117)

Institutional Class

(15,431)

(2,203)

Net realized gains:

Class A

(488,190)

Class C

(29,478)

Class S

(25,751)

Institutional Class

(2,715)

Total distributions

(3,268,499)

(633,827)

Fund share transactions:

Proceeds from shares sold

82,881,505

74,234,444

Reinvestment of distributions

3,242,630

625,361

Cost of shares redeemed

(7,869,370)

(3,581,627)

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

78,254,765

71,278,178

Increase (decrease) in net assets

80,428,159

77,692,399

Net assets at beginning of period

77,892,399

200,000

Net assets at end of period (including accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income of $313,801 and undistributed net investment income of $227,196, respectively)

$ 158,320,558

$ 77,892,399

* For the period from October 1, 2008 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2009.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Financial Highlights

Class A

Year Ended August 31,

2010a

2009b

Selected Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 9.89

$ 10.00

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment incomec

.19

.13

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

.41

.20

Total from investment operations

.60

.33

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

(.21)

(.44)

Net realized gains on investment transactions

(.04)

Total distributions

(.25)

(.44)

Net asset value, end of period

$ 10.24

$ 9.89

Total Return (%)d,e,f

6.10**

3.96**

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period ($ millions)

140

71

Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)g

.55*

1.43*

Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)g

.36*

.36*

Ratio of net investment income (%)

3.80*

1.62*

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

2**

28**

a For the six months ended February 28, 2010 (Unaudited).

b For the period from October 1, 2008 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2009.

c Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

d Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.

e Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

f Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.

g The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.

* Annualized

** Not annualized

Class C

Year Ended August 31,

2010a

2009b

Selected Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 9.84

$ 10.00

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment incomec

.15

.07

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

.41

.19

Total from investment operations

.56

.26

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

(.13)

(.42)

Net realized gains on investment transactions

(.04)

Total distributions

(.17)

(.42)

Net asset value, end of period

$ 10.23

$ 9.84

Total Return (%)d,e,f

5.73**

3.23**

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period ($ millions)

9

4

Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)g

1.42*

2.25*

Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)g

1.11*

1.11*

Ratio of net investment income (%)

3.05*

.87*

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

2**

28**

a For the six months ended February 28, 2010 (Unaudited).

b For the period from October 1, 2008 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2009.

c Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

d Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.

e Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

f Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.

g The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.

* Annualized

** Not annualized

Class S

Year Ended August 31,

2010a

2009b

Selected Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 9.90

$ 10.00

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment incomec

.20

.15

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

.42

.19

Total from investment operations

.62

.34

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

(.24)

(.44)

Net realized gains on investment transactions

(.04)

Total distributions

(.28)

(.44)

Net asset value, end of period

$ 10.24

$ 9.90

Total Return (%)d,e

6.27**

4.13**

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period ($ millions)

8

2

Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)f

.35*

1.15*

Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)f

.11*

.11*

Ratio of net investment income (%)

4.05*

1.87*

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

2**

28**

a For the six months ended February 28, 2010 (Unaudited).

b For the period from October 1, 2008 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2009.

c Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

d Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

e Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.

f The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.

* Annualized

** Not annualized

Institutional Class

Year Ended August 31,

2010a

2009b

Selected Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 9.90

$ 10.00

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment incomec

.20

.15

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

.42

.19

Total from investment operations

.62

.34

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

(.24)

(.44)

Net realized gains on investment transactions

(.04)

Total distributions

(.28)

(.44)

Net asset value, end of period

$ 10.24

$ 9.90

Total Return (%)d,e

6.27**

4.13**

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period ($ millions)

.6

.6

Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)f

.22*

1.11*

Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)f

.11*

.11*

Ratio of net investment income (%)

4.05*

1.87*

Portfolio turnover rate (%)

2**

28**

a For the six months ended February 28, 2010 (Unaudited).

b For the period from October 1, 2008 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2009.

c Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

d Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

e Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.

f The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.

* Annualized

** Not annualized

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified series of DWS Equity Trust (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund invests in a combination of other DWS funds (the "Underlying DWS Funds"), certain other securities and derivative instruments. The Fund may also invest in securities of Exchange-Traded Funds ("ETFs"). ETFs and DWS Funds are collectively referred to as ("Underlying Funds"). Each Underlying DWS Fund's accounting policies and investment holdings are outlined in the Underlying DWS Funds' financial statements and are available upon request.

The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which provide investors with different purchase options. Class A shares are offered to investors subject to an initial sales charge. Class C shares are offered to investors without an initial sales charge but are subject to higher ongoing expenses than Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions within one year of purchase. Class C shares do not automatically convert into another class. Class S shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally not available to new investors except under certain circumstances. Institutional Class shares are offered to a limited group of investors, are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and have lower ongoing expenses than other classes.

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as services to shareholders, distribution and service fees and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.

The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

Security Valuation. Investments in Underlying DWS Funds are valued at the net asset value per share of each class of the Underlying DWS Fund as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.

Exchange-Traded Funds ("ETFs") are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (US or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. ETFs for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation.

Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.

Federal Income Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.

The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax year as of August 31, 2009 and has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax return for the fiscal year remains open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Distribution of Income and Gains. Net investment income of the Fund, if any, is declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed, and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually.

The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gains distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.

The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

Offering Costs. Offering costs for the Fund were paid in connection with the offering of shares and were amortized over one year.

Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust.

Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment security transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost pending basis. Distributions of income and capital gains from the Underlying Funds are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

B. Purchases and Sales of Mutual Funds

During the six months ended February 28, 2010, purchases and sales of mutual funds (excluding Central Cash Management Fund) aggregated $77,975,765 and $2,230,000, respectively.

C. Related Parties

Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments in Underlying Funds to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund. The Advisor does not receive any advisory fee for managing the Fund. However, the Advisor will receive management fees from managing the Underlying DWS Funds in which the Fund invests.

On January 26, 2010, the Advisor announced its intention to transition members of the Fund's portfolio management team who are part of its Quantitative Strategies Group, out of DIMA into a separate independent investment advisory firm that is not affiliated with DIMA. In order for the Fund to continue to benefit from the investment expertise offered by the affected portfolio managers, DIMA has recommended to the Fund's Board of Trustees the approval of a sub-advisory agreement between DIMA and the newly created investment advisory firm (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement"). The Sub-Advisory Agreement is subject to Board approval. If approved, the transition is expected to be completed on or about July 1, 2010.

The Fund does not invest in Underlying DWS Funds for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, investments may represent 5% or more of an Underlying DWS Fund's outstanding shares. At February 28, 2010, the Fund held the following Underlying DWS Fund's outstanding shares: approximately 14% of DWS Inflation Protected Plus Fund, 13% of DWS RREEF Global Infrastructure Fund, 11% of DWS Disciplined Market Neutral Fund, 9% of DWS Floating Rate Plus Fund, and 6% of DWS Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund.

For the period from September 1, 2009 through November 30, 2010, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest and acquired funds (Underlying Funds) fees and expenses) of each class as follows:

Class A

.36%

Class C

1.11%

Class S

.11%

Institutional Class

.11%

Accordingly, for the six months ended February 28, 2010, the Advisor reimbursed $2,292 of sub-recordkeeping fees for Class S shares.

The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which it is invested.

Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended February 28, 2010, the Administration Fee was $59,449, of which $59,154 was waived and $295 is unpaid.

Service Provider Fees. DWS Investments Service Company ("DISC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent of the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DISC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DISC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DISC compensates DST out of the shareholder serving fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended February 28, 2010, the amounts charged to the Fund by DISC were as follows:

Services to Shareholders

Total Aggregated

Waived

Unpaid at
February 28, 2010

Class A

$ 5,598

$ 5,598

$ —

Class C

2,887

2,887

Class S

1,441

1,441

Institutional Class

36

19

17

 

$ 9,962

$ 9,945

$ 17

Distribution and Service Fees. Under the Fund's Class C 12b-1 Plan, DWS Investments Distributors, Inc. ("DIDI"), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee ("Distribution Fee") of 0.75% of average daily net assets of Class C shares. In accordance with the Fund's Underwriting and Distribution Service Agreement, DIDI enters into related selling group agreements with various firms at various rates for sales of Class C shares. For the six months ended February 28, 2010, the Distribution Fee charged to Class C shares by DIDI was $23,658, of which $5,020 is unpaid.

In addition, DIDI provides information and administrative services for a fee ("Service Fee") to Class A and C shareholders at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets for each such class. DIDI in turn has various agreements with financial services firms that provide these services and pays these fees based upon the assets of shareholder accounts the firms service. For the six months ended February 28, 2010, the Service Fee was as follows:

Service Fee

Total Aggregated

Waived

Unpaid at February 28, 2010

Annualized Effective Rate

Class A

$ 123,436

$ 41,959

$ 50,208

.15%

Class C

7,267

3,651

1,771

.11%

 

$ 130,703

$ 45,610

$ 51,979

 

Underwriting Agreement and Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. DIDI is the principal underwriter for the Fund. Underwriting commissions paid in connection with the distribution of Class A shares for the six months ended February 28, 2010 aggregated $797.

In addition, DIDI receives any contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") from Class C share redemptions occurring within one year of purchase. There is no such charge upon redemption of any share appreciation or reinvested dividends. The CDSC is based on 1% of the value of the shares redeemed for Class C. For the six months ended February 28, 2010, the CDSC for the Fund's Class C shares aggregated $1,298. A deferred sales charge of up to 1% is assessed on certain redemptions of Class A shares.

Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended February 28, 2010, no fee was charged to the Fund by DIMA.

Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor retainer fees plus specified amounts for various committee services and for the Board Chairperson.

Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in affiliated funds managed by the Advisor. Affiliated cash management vehicles do not pay the Advisor a management fee. The Fund currently invests in Central Cash Management Fund. Prior to October 2, 2009, the Fund invested in Cash Management QP Trust ("QP Trust"). Effective October 2, 2009, QP Trust merged into Central Cash Management Fund. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital.

D. Line of Credit

The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $450 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 10 percent of its net assets under the agreement.

Effective April 1, 2010, the Fund is no longer a participant in the revolving credit facility.

E. Share Transactions

The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:

 

Six Months Ended February 28, 2010

Period Ended
August 31, 2009*

 

Shares

Dollars

Shares

Dollars

Shares sold

Class A

6,919,239

$ 71,440,183

7,487,600

$ 67,925,502

Class C

524,048

5,395,739

389,615

3,584,052

Class S

587,417

6,036,581

233,962

2,198,802

Institutional Class

869

9,002

64,324

526,088

 

 

$ 82,881,505

 

$ 74,234,444

Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions

Class A

285,199

$ 2,940,408

69,511

$ 590,845

Class C

11,497

118,534

2,609

22,196

Class S

16,072

165,542

1,190

10,117

Institutional Class

1,762

18,146

259

2,203

 

 

$ 3,242,630

 

$ 625,361

Shares redeemed

Class A

(701,531)

$ (7,235,900)

(355,399)

$ (3,234,344)

Class C

(22,465)

(232,575)

(19,327)

(171,361)

Class S

(38,798)

(400,895)

(14,000)

(126,486)

Institutional Class

(5,259)

(49,436)

 

 

$ (7,869,370)

 

$ (3,581,627)

Net increase (decrease)

Class A

6,502,907

$ 67,144,691

7,201,712

$ 65,282,003

Class C

513,080

5,281,698

372,897

3,434,887

Class S

564,691

5,801,228

221,152

2,082,433

Institutional Class

2,631

27,148

59,324

478,855

 

 

$ 78,254,765

 

$ 71,278,178

Initial Capital

Class A

$ —

5,000

$ 50,000

Class C

5,000

50,000

Class S

5,000

50,000

Institutional Class

5,000

50,000

 

 

$ —

 

$ 200,000

* For the period from October 1, 2008 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2009.

F. Review for Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the events and transactions subsequent to period end and has determined that there were no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund's financial statements.

Investment Management Agreement Approval

The Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, approved the renewal of your Fund's investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DWS") in September 2009.

In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:

In September 2009, all but one of the Fund's Trustees were independent of DWS and its affiliates.

The Trustees meet frequently to discuss fund matters. Each year, the Trustees dedicate substantial time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board's Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board's Fixed Income and Quant Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DWS, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund's performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by the Fund's independent fee consultant. The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.

The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with their independent counsel (and, as needed, other advisors) to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were also advised by the Fund's independent fee consultant in the course of their review of the Fund's contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the independent fee consultant in connection with their deliberations (the "IFC Report").

In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.

Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Independent Trustees as a group. The Independent Trustees reviewed the Contract Committee's findings and recommendations and presented their recommendations to the full Board.

In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DWS and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DWS managed the Fund. DWS is part of Deutsche Bank, a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are significant advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.

While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund's Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DWS's personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DWS provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DWS provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DWS to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DWS. The Board reviewed the Fund's performance and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market indices and a peer universe supplied by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper"). The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to their benchmark or a peer universe compiled by Lipper), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DWS regarding such funds, along with DWS's remedial plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the three-month period ended December 31, 2008, the Fund's performance (Class A shares) was in the 2nd quartile of the applicable Lipper universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).

On the basis of this evaluation and the ongoing review of investment results by the Board, the Board concluded that the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DWS historically have been and continue to be satisfactory.

Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund's investment management fee schedule, operating expenses, and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper and the independent fee consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Trustees noted that the Fund does not pay any Fund-level investment advisory fees, but does bear an administrative fee. As a result of the administrative fee, the total management fee rates paid by the Fund were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2008). The Board also reviewed data comparing each share class's total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Lipper expense universe. The Board concluded that the comparative Lipper operating expense data was of limited utility, as it likely significantly understated the current expense ratios of many peer funds due to the substantial declines in net assets as a result of market losses and net redemptions that many funds experienced between mid-September 2008 and March 2009 and that were not reflected in the data. The Board also noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DWS helped to ensure that the Fund's total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive.

The information considered by the Board as part of their review of management fees included information regarding fees charged by DWS and its affiliates to similar institutional accounts and to similar funds managed by the same portfolio management teams but offered primarily to European investors ("DWS Europe funds"), in each case as applicable. The Board observed that advisory fee rates for institutional accounts generally were lower than the management fees charged by similarly managed DWS US Mutual Funds ("DWS Funds"), but also took note of the differences in services provided to DWS Funds as compared to institutional accounts. In the case of DWS Europe funds, the Board observed that fee rates for DWS Europe funds generally were higher than for similarly managed DWS Funds, but noted that differences in the types of services provided to DWS Funds relative to DWS Europe funds made it difficult to compare such fees.

On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DWS.

Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DWS from advising the DWS Funds along with the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DWS from advising the DWS Funds. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DWS and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality. The Board did not receive profitability information with respect to the Fund (which, as noted above, does not pay any investment advisory fees), but did receive such information with respect to the funds in which the Fund invests. The Board also reviewed information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DWS and its affiliates' overall profitability with respect to the DWS Investments fund complex (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DWS and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of many comparable firms for which such data was available.

Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that DWS does not receive a management fee under the Agreement.

Other Benefits to DWS and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DWS and its affiliates, including any fees received by DWS for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DWS for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DWS related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DWS related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DWS Investments products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.

Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DWS to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of both DWS's chief compliance officer and the Fund's chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DWS compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DWS and its affiliates to compliance matters.

Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously (including the Independent Trustees) determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and their counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.

Summary of Management Fee Evaluation by Independent Fee Consultant

October 9, 2009, As Revised November 20, 2009

Pursuant to an Order entered into by Deutsche Investment Management Americas and affiliates (collectively, "DeAM") with the Attorney General of New York, I, Thomas H. Mack, have been appointed the Independent Fee Consultant for the DWS Funds (formerly the DWS Scudder Funds). My duties include preparing an annual written evaluation of the management fees DeAM charges the Funds, considering among other factors the management fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services, management fees DeAM charges other clients for like services, DeAM's costs of supplying services under the management agreements and related profit margins, possible economies of scale if a Fund grows larger, and the nature and quality of DeAM's services, including fund performance. This report summarizes my evaluation for 2009, including my qualifications, the evaluation process for each of the DWS Funds, consideration of certain complex-level factors, and my conclusions. I served in substantially the same capacity in 2007 and 2008.

Qualifications

For more than 35 years I have served in various professional capacities within the investment management business. I have held investment analysis and advisory positions, including securities analyst, portfolio strategist and director of investment policy with a large investment firm. I have also performed business management functions, including business development, financial management and marketing research and analysis.

Since 1991, I have been an independent consultant within the asset management industry. I have provided services to over 125 client organizations, including investment managers, mutual fund boards, product distributors and related organizations. Over the past ten years I have completed a number of assignments for mutual fund boards, specifically including assisting boards with management contract renewal.

I hold a Master of Business Administration degree, with highest honors, from Harvard University and Master of Science and Bachelor of Science (highest honors) degrees from the University of California at Berkeley. I am an independent director and audit committee financial expert for two closed-end mutual funds and serve in various leadership and financial oversight capacities with non-profit organizations.

Evaluation of Fees for each DWS Fund

My work focused primarily on evaluating, fund-by-fund, the fees charged to each of the 124 publicly offered Fund portfolios in the DWS Fund family. For each Fund, I considered each of the key factors mentioned above, as well as any other relevant information. In doing so I worked closely with the Funds' Independent Directors in their annual contract renewal process, as well as in their approval of contracts for several new funds (documented separately).

In evaluating each Fund's fees, I reviewed comprehensive materials provided by or on behalf of DeAM, including expense information prepared by Lipper Analytical, comparative performance information, profitability data, manager histories, and other materials. I also accessed certain additional information from the Lipper, Strategic Insight, and Morningstar databases and drew on my industry knowledge and experience.

To facilitate evaluating this considerable body of information, I prepared for each Fund a document summarizing the key data elements in each area as well as additional analytics discussed below. This made it possible to consider each key data element in the context of the others.

In the course of contract renewal, DeAM agreed to implement a number of fee and expense adjustments requested by the Independent Directors which will favorably impact future fees and expenses, and my evaluation includes the effects of these changes.

Fees and Expenses Compared with Other Funds

The competitive fee and expense evaluation for each fund focused on two primary comparisons:

The Fund's contractual management fee (the advisory fee plus the administration fee where applicable) compared with those of a group of typically 12-15 funds in the same Lipper investment category (e.g. Large Capitalization Growth) having similar distribution arrangements and being of similar size.

The Fund's total expenses compared with a broader universe of funds from the same Lipper investment category and having similar distribution arrangements.

These two comparisons provide a view of not only the level of the fee compared with funds of similar scale but also the total expense the Fund bears for all the services it receives, in comparison with the investment choices available in the Fund's investment category and distribution channel. The principal figure-of-merit used in these comparisons was the subject Fund's percentile ranking against peers.

DeAM's Fees for Similar Services to Others

DeAM provided management fee schedules for all of its US domiciled fund and non-fund investment management accounts in any of the investment categories where there is a DWS Fund. These similar products included the other DWS Funds, non-fund pooled accounts, institutional accounts and sub-advisory accounts. Using this information, I calculated for each Fund the fee that would be charged to each similar product, at the subject Fund's asset level.

Evaluating information regarding non-fund products is difficult because there are varying levels of services required for different types of accounts, with mutual funds generally requiring considerably more regulatory and administrative types of service as well as having more frequent cash flows than other types of accounts. Also, while mutual fund fees for similar fund products can be expected to be similar, there will be some differences due to different pricing conditions in different distribution channels (e.g. retail funds versus those used in variable insurance products), differences in underlying investment processes and other factors.

Costs and Profit Margins

DeAM provided a detailed profitability analysis for each Fund. After making some adjustments so that the presentation would be more comparable to the available industry figures, I reviewed profit margins from investment management alone, from investment management plus other fund services (excluding distribution) provided to the Funds by DeAM (principally shareholder services), and DeAM profits from all sources, including distribution. A later section comments on overall profitability.

Economies of Scale

Economies of scale — an expected decline in management cost per dollar of fund assets as fund assets grow — are very rarely quantified and documented because of inherent difficulties in collecting and analyzing relevant data. However, in virtually every investment category that I reviewed, larger funds tend to have lower fees and lower total expenses than smaller funds. To see how each DWS Fund compares with this industry observation, I reviewed:

The trend in Fund assets over the last five years and the accompanying trend in total expenses. This shows if the Fund has grown and, if so, whether total expense (management fees as well as other expenses) have declined as a percent of assets.

Whether the Fund has break-points in its management fee schedule, the extent of the fee reduction built into the schedule and the asset levels where the breaks take effect, and in the case of a sub-advised Fund how the Fund's break-points compare with those of the sub-advisory fee schedule.

How the Fund's contractual fee schedule compares with trends in the industry data. To accomplish this, I constructed a chart showing how actual latest-fiscal-year contractual fees of the Fund and of other similar funds relate to average fund assets, with the subject Fund's contractual fee schedule superimposed.

Quality of Service — Performance

The quality-of-service evaluation focused on investment performance, which is the principal result of the investment management service. Each Fund's performance was reviewed over the past 1, 3, 5 and 10 years, as applicable, and compared with that of other funds in the same investment category and with a suitable market index.

In addition, I calculated and reviewed risk-adjusted returns relative to an index of similar mutual funds' returns and a suitable market index. The risk-adjusted returns analysis provides a way of determining the extent to which the Fund's return comparisons are mainly the product of investment value-added (or lack thereof) or alternatively taking considerably more or less risk than is typical in its investment category.

I also received and considered the history of portfolio manager changes for each Fund, as this provided an important context for evaluating the performance results.

Complex-Level Considerations

While this evaluation was conducted mainly at the individual fund level, there are some issues relating to the reasonableness of fees that can alternatively be considered across the whole fund complex:

I reviewed DeAM's profitability analysis for all DWS Funds, with a view toward determining if the allocation procedures used were reasonable and how profit levels compared with public data for other investment managers.

I considered whether DeAM and affiliates receive any significant ancillary or "fall-out" benefits that should be considered in interpreting the direct profitability results. These would be situations where serving as the investment manager of the Funds is beneficial to another part of the Deutsche Bank organization.

I considered how aggregated DWS Fund expenses had varied over the years, by asset class and in the context of trends in asset levels.

I reviewed the structure of the DeAM organization, trends in staffing levels, and information on compensation of investment management and other professionals compared with industry data.

Findings

Based on the process and analysis discussed above, which included reviewing a wide range of information from management and external data sources and considering among other factors the fees DeAM charges other clients, the fees charged by other fund managers, DeAM's costs and profits associated with managing the Funds, economies of scale, possible fall-out benefits, and the nature and quality of services provided, in my opinion the management fees charged the DWS Funds are reasonable.

saa_sigmack0
Thomas H. Mack

Account Management Resources

 

For More Information

The automated telephone system allows you to access personalized account information and obtain information on other DWS funds using either your voice or your telephone keypad. Certain account types within Classes A, C and S also have the ability to purchase, exchange or redeem shares using this system.

For more information, contact your financial advisor. You may also access our automated telephone system or speak with a DWS Investments representative by calling the appropriate number below:

For shareholders of Classes A, C and Institutional Class:

(800) 621-1048

For shareholders of Class S:

(800) 728-3337

Web Site

www.dws-investments.com

View your account transactions and balances, trade shares, monitor your asset allocation, and change your address, 24 hours a day.

Obtain prospectuses and applications, blank forms, interactive worksheets, news about DWS funds, subscription to fund updates by e-mail, retirement planning information, and more.

Written Correspondence

DWS Investments

PO Box 219151
Kansas City, MO 64121-9151

Proxy Voting

The fund's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — www.dws-investments.com (click on "proxy voting"at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — www.sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the fund's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 621-1048.

Principal Underwriter

If you have questions, comments or complaints, contact:

DWS Investments Distributors, Inc.

222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808

(800) 621-1148

 

Class A

Class C

Class S

Institutional Class

Nasdaq Symbol

SELAX

SELEX

SELSX

SELIX

CUSIP Number

233376 722

233376 714

233376 698

233376 680

Fund Number

488

788

2088

1488

Privacy Statement

Dear Valued Client:

Your confidence is important to us. So we want to make sure you know our policies regarding the handling of our clients' private information. The following information is issued by DWS Investments Distributors, Inc., Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., DeAM Investor Services, Inc., DWS Trust Company and the DWS Funds.

We consider privacy fundamental to our client relationships and adhere to the policies and practices described below to protect current and former clients' information. We never sell customer lists or individual client information. Internal policies are in place to protect confidentiality, while allowing client needs to be served. Only individuals who need to do so in carrying out their job responsibilities may access client information. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal and state standards to protect confidentiality. These safeguards extend to all forms of interaction with us, including the Internet.

In the normal course of business, clients give us nonpublic personal information on applications and other forms, on our Web sites, and through transactions with us or our affiliates. Examples of the nonpublic personal information collected are name, address, Social Security number, and transaction and balance information. To be able to serve our clients, certain of this client information is shared with affiliated and nonaffiliated third-party service providers such as transfer agents, custodians and broker-dealers to assist us in processing transactions and servicing your account.

In addition, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf or to other financial institutions with which we have joint marketing agreements. These organizations may only use client information for the purpose designated by the companies listed above. Additional requirements beyond federal law may be imposed by certain states. To the extent that these state laws apply, we will comply with them before we share information about you.

We may also disclose nonpublic personal information about you to other parties as required or permitted by law. For example, we are required to or may provide information to government entities or regulatory bodies in response to requests for information or subpoenas, to private litigants in certain circumstances, to law enforcement authorities, or any time we believe it necessary to protect the firm.

At any time, if you have questions about our policy, please write to us at:

DWS Investments
Attention: Correspondence — Chicago
P.O. Box 219415
Kansas City, MO 64121-9415 September 2009

saa_notesblank0Notes

saa_backcover0

 

 

ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

 

 

 

Not Applicable

 

 

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

Not Applicable

 

 

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

ITEM 9.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

 

 

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board. The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Paul K. Freeman, Independent Chairman, DWS Funds, P.O. Box 101833, Denver, CO 80250-1833.

 

 

ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

 

 

(a)        The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

 

 

 

(b)       There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

 

ITEM 12.

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

(a)(1)   Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

 

 

 

(b)       Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.

 

Form N-CSRS Item F

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Registrant:

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Michael G. Clark

Michael G. Clark

President

 

 

Date:

April 30, 2010

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Registrant:

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Michael G. Clark

Michael G. Clark

President

 

 

Date:

April 30, 2010

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Paul Schubert

Paul Schubert

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

Date:

April 30, 2010

 

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President

Form N-CSRS Certification under Sarbanes Oxley Act

 

 

 

I, Michael G. Clark, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report, filed on behalf of DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust, on Form N-CSRS;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

April 30, 2010

/s/Michael G. Clark

 

Michael G. Clark

 

President

 

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust

 

 


 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Form N-CSRS Certification under Sarbanes Oxley Act

 

 

 

I, Paul Schubert, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report, filed on behalf of DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust, on Form N-CSRS;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

April 30, 2010

/s/Paul Schubert

 

Paul Schubert

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust

 

 

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President

Section 906 Certification under Sarbanes Oxley Act

 

 

 

I, Michael G. Clark, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report, filed on behalf of DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust, on Form N-CSRS;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the periodic report on Form N-CSRS (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of § 13 (a) or §15 (d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 

April 30, 2010

/s/Michael G. Clark

 

Michael G. Clark

 

President

 

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust

 

 


 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Section 906 Certification under Sarbanes Oxley Act

 

 

 

I, Paul Schubert, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report, filed on behalf of DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust, on Form N-CSRS;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the periodic report on Form N-CSRS (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of § 13 (a) or § 15 (d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

April 30, 2010

/s/Paul Schubert

 

Paul Schubert

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

DWS Select Alternative Allocation Fund, a series of DWS Equity Trust

 

 

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