-----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, ViI3XHIYzrPoYz5AViwHQVXNT+VKC7w6KoMthDXepoy5qWrYVf2xSNwIz3BI3UV9 4F6NV7yi3UOJ64y6YGh5zw== 0000088053-06-001412.txt : 20061128 0000088053-06-001412.hdr.sgml : 20061128 20061128163419 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000088053-06-001412 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 485BPOS PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 FILED AS OF DATE: 20061128 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20061128 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20061201 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DWS INVESTMENT TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000088064 IRS NUMBER: 042212654 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 485BPOS SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-00043 FILM NUMBER: 061242545 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT STREET 2: TWO INTERNATIONAL PLACE CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02110 BUSINESS PHONE: 617-295-3986 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT STREET 2: TWO INTERNATIONAL PLACE CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02110 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: INVESTMENT TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980529 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SCUDDER INVESTMENT TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SCUDDER GROWTH & INCOME FUND DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19910402 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DWS INVESTMENT TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000088064 IRS NUMBER: 042212654 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 485BPOS SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 002-13628 FILM NUMBER: 061242546 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT STREET 2: TWO INTERNATIONAL PLACE CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02110 BUSINESS PHONE: 617-295-3986 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT STREET 2: TWO INTERNATIONAL PLACE CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02110 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: INVESTMENT TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980529 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SCUDDER INVESTMENT TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SCUDDER GROWTH & INCOME FUND DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19910402 0000088064 S000005707 DWS Large Company Growth Fund C000015684 Class A SGGAX C000015686 Class B SGGBX C000015687 Class C SGGCX C000015689 Class S SCQGX C000015690 Institutional Class SGGIX 485BPOS 1 ptc-inv.txt 485B FILING Filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 28, 2006 File No. 2-13628 File No. 811-43 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549 FORM N-1A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 Pre-Effective Amendment No. Post-Effective Amendment No. 158 [X] and/or REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 Amendment No. 108 [X] DWS INVESTMENT TRUST -------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110-4103 ---------------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (6l7) 295-2572 -------------- John Millette, Secretary Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110 ----------------------------------------- (Name and Address of Agent for Service) It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box): [_] Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) [X] On December 1, 2006 pursuant to paragraph (b) [_] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) [_] On ______________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) [_] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) [_] On ______________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 If appropriate, check the following box: [_] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. This post-effective amendment contains the prospectuses and statements of additional information relating to the following series of the registrant: o DWS Large Company Growth Fund (Classes A, B, C, S and Institutional) This post-effective amendment is not intended to update or amend any other prospectuses or statements of additional information of the registrant's other series or classes. 1 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 1, 2006 PROSPECTUS ----------------- CLASSES A, B and C - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DWS Large Company Growth Fund (formerly Scudder Large Company Growth Fund) As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not approve or disapprove these shares or determine whether the information in this prospectus is truthful or complete. It is a criminal offense for anyone to inform you otherwise. ONE GLOBAL FORCE. ONE FOCUS. YOU. [DWS SCUDDER Logo] Deutsche Bank Group - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contents - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How the Fund Works How to Invest in the Fund 4 The Fund's Main Investment 24 Choosing a Share Class Strategy 32 How to Buy Class A, B and C 5 The Main Risks of Investing in Shares the Fund 33 How to Exchange or Sell 7 The Fund's Performance History Class A, B and C Shares 9 How Much Investors Pay 34 Policies You Should Know About 11 Other Policies and Secondary Risks 48 Understanding Distributions and Taxes 13 Who Manages and Oversees the Fund 20 Financial Highlights How the Fund Works On the next few pages, you'll find information about the fund's investment goal, the main strategies it uses to pursue that goal and the main risks that could affect performance. Whether you are considering investing in the fund or are already a shareholder, you'll want to look this information over carefully. You may want to keep it on hand for reference as well. Remember that mutual funds are investments, not bank deposits. They're not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Their share prices will go up and down and you could lose money by investing in them. You can find DWS prospectuses on the Internet at www.dws-scudder.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus). - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A Class B Class C ticker symbol SGGAX SGGBX SGGCX fund number 469 669 769 DWS Large Company Growth Fund (formerly Scudder Large Company Growth Fund) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Fund's Main Investment Strategy The fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in large US companies that are similar in size to the companies in the Russell 1000r Growth Index (as of October 31, 2006, the Russell 1000r Growth Index had a median market capitalization of $5 billion). The fund intends to invest primarily in companies whose market capitalizations fall within the normal range of the Index. These investments are in equities, mainly common stocks. In managing the fund, the managers use a combination of three analytical disciplines: Top-down analysis. The managers consider the economic outlooks for various sectors and industries while looking for those that may benefit from changes in the overall business environment. Fundamental company research. The managers look for individual companies with a history of above-average growth, strong competitive positioning, attractive prices relative to potential growth, sound financial strength and effective management, among other factors. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER INVESTMENTS The fund is permitted, but not required, to use various types of derivatives (contracts whose value is based on, for example, indexes, currencies or securities). In particular, the fund may use futures, options and covered call options. The fund may use derivatives in circumstances where the managers believe they offer an economical means of gaining exposure to a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions or other needs while maintaining exposure to the market (see "Secondary risks" for more information). 4 Growth orientation. The managers generally look for companies that they believe have above-average potential for sustainable growth of revenue or earnings and whose market value appears reasonable in light of their business prospects. The managers may favor different types of securities from different industries and companies at different times. The managers will normally sell a stock when the managers believe its price is unlikely to go higher, the company's fundamentals have changed, other investments offer better opportunities or in the course of adjusting the fund's emphasis on a given industry. The fund may lend its investment securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets to approved institutional borrowers who need to borrow securities in order to complete certain transactions. The Main Risks of Investing in the Fund There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund's performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund's performance to trail that of other investments. Stock Market Risk. As with most stock funds, the most important factor with this fund is how stock markets perform -- in this case, large company growth stocks. When large company growth stock prices fall, you should expect the value of your investment to fall as well. Large company growth stocks may be somewhat less volatile than shares of smaller companies, but at times may not perform as well. Because a stock represents ownership in its issuer, stock prices can be hurt by poor management, shrinking product demand and other business risks. These may affect single companies as well as groups of companies. In addition, movements in financial markets may adversely affect a stock's price, regardless of how well the company performs. The market as a whole may not favor the types of investments the fund makes and the fund may not be able to get an attractive price for them. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. This fund is designed for investors with long-term goals who are interested in a fund with a growth-style approach to large-cap investing. 5 Growth Investing Risk. Since growth stocks usually reinvest a large portion of earnings in their own businesses, they may lack the dividends associated with value stocks that might otherwise cushion their decline in a falling market. Earnings disappointments in growth stocks often result in sharp price declines because investors buy these stocks because of their potential for superior earnings growth. Growth stocks may also be out of favor for certain periods in relation to value stocks. Industry Risk. While the fund does not concentrate in any industry, to the extent that the fund has exposure to a given industry or sector, any factors affecting that industry or sector could affect the value of portfolio securities. For example, manufacturers of consumer goods could be hurt by a rise in unemployment, or technology companies could be hurt by such factors as market saturation, price competition and rapid obsolescence. Other factors that could affect performance include: o the managers could be incorrect in their analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, the relative attractiveness of different sizes of stocks, geographical trends or other matters o derivatives could produce disproportionate losses due to a variety of factors, including the unwillingness or inability of the counterparty to meet its obligations or unexpected price or interest rate movements (see "Secondary risks" for more information) 6 The Fund's Performance History While a fund's past performance (before and after taxes) isn't necessarily a sign of how it will do in the future, it can be valuable for an investor to know. The bar chart shows how the performance for the fund's Class A shares has varied from year to year, which may give some idea of risk. The bar chart does not reflect sales loads; if it did, total returns would be lower than those shown. The table on the following page shows how fund performance compares with a broad-based market index (which, unlike the fund, does not have any fees or expenses). The table includes the effects of maximum sales loads. The performance of both the fund and the index varies over time. All figures assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions (in the case of after-tax returns, reinvested net of assumed tax rates). The inception date for Class A was August 2, 1999. In the bar chart, the performance figures for Class A shares for the period prior to its inception are based on the historical performance of the fund's original share class (Class S), adjusted to reflect the higher gross total annual operating expenses of Class A. In the table, the performance figures for each share class for the periods prior to its inception (August 2, 1999 for Class A and December 29, 2000 for Classes B and C) are based on the historical performance of Class S, adjusted to reflect both the higher gross total annual operating expenses of Classes A, B or C and the current applicable sales charges of Classes A, B and C. Class S shares are offered in a separate prospectus. The table shows returns on a before-tax and after-tax basis. After-tax returns are shown for Class A only and will vary for Classes B and C. After-tax returns are estimates calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown in the table. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. DWS Large Company Growth Fund Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31 each year -- Class A THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT CONTAINS A BAR CHART HERE BAR CHART DATA: 1996 17.89 1997 32.43 1998 32.86 1999 34.69 2000 -19.43 2001 -22.85 2002 -29.89 2003 24.71 2004 4.22 2005 7.93 2006 Total Return as of September 30: 1.88% For the periods included in the bar chart: Best Quarter: 28.00%, Q4 1999 Worst Quarter: -21.27%, Q1 2001 7 Average Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31/2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return before Taxes 1.72 -6.49 4.88 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after Taxes on 1.68 -6.49 4.21 Distributions - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after Taxes on -0.83 -5.61* 3.87 Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (Return before Taxes) 4.11 -6.29 4.66 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (Return before Taxes) 7.10 -6.08 4.69 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Index (reflects no deductions for 5.26 -3.58 6.73 fees, expenses or taxes) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Index: Russell 1000R Growth Index consists of those stocks in the Russell 1000R Index that have a greater-than-average growth orientation. Total returns would have been lower if operating expenses hadn't been reduced. * Return after Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares is higher than other return figures for the same period due to a capital loss occurring upon redemption resulting in an assumed tax deduction for the shareholder. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted above. For more recent performance information, call your financial advisor or (800) 621-1048 or visit our Web site at www.dws-scudder.com. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Return after Taxes on Distributions assumes that an investor holds fund shares at the end of the period. The number only represents the fund's taxable distributions, not a shareholder's gain or loss from selling fund shares. The Return after Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares assumes that an investor sold his or her fund shares at the end of the period. The number reflects both the fund's taxable distributions and a shareholder's gain or loss from selling fund shares. 8 How Much Investors Pay This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold fund shares. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fee Table Class A Class B Class C - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholder Fees, paid directly from your investment - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as % of offering price) 5.75%(1) None None - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as % of redemption proceeds) None(2) 4.00% 1.00% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption/Exchange fee on shares owned less than 15 days (as % of amount redeemed, if applicable)(3) 2.00 2.00 2.00 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Operating Expenses, deducted from fund assets - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fee(4) 0.71% 0.71% 0.71% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution/Service (12b-1) Fee 0.24 0.99 0.99 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Expenses(5) 0.33 0.47 0.45 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses(6) 1.28 2.17 2.15 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Because of rounding in the calculation of the offering price, the actual maximum front-end sales charge paid by an investor may be higher than the percentage noted (see "Choosing a Share Class -- Class A shares"). (2) The redemption of shares purchased at net asset value under the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege (see "Choosing a Share Class -- Class A shares") may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase and 0.50% if redeemed within the next six months following purchase. (3) This fee is charged on applicable redemptions or exchanges. Please see "Policies You Should Know About -- Policies about transactions" for further information. (4) Restated on an annualized basis to reflect fee changes which took effect on June 1, 2006. Includes 0.10% administration fee. (5) Restated on an annualized basis to reflect fee changes which took effect on June 1, 2006. Class A shares have been restated to reflect the acquisition of Class R shares on November 17, 2006. (6) Through September 30, 2007, the advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund to the extent necessary to maintain the fund's total annual operating expenses at a ratio no higher than 1.27% for Class A shares and 2.15% for Class B and Class C shares, excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest, proxy and organizational and offering expenses. Although there can be no assurances that the current waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement will be maintained beyond September 30, 2007, the advisor has committed to review the continuance of waiver/expense reimbursement arrangements by September 30, 2007. 9 Based on the costs above, this example helps you compare the expenses of each share class to those of other mutual funds. This example assumes the expenses above remain the same. It also assumes that you invested $10,000, earned 5% annual returns and reinvested all dividends and distributions. This is only an example; actual expenses will be different. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Example 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Expenses, assuming you sold your shares at the end of each period - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A shares $698 $958 $1,237 $2,031 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B shares 620 979 1,364 2,064 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C shares 318 673 1,154 2,483 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Expenses, assuming you kept your shares - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A shares $698 $958 $1,237 $2,031 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B shares 220 679 1,164 2,064 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C shares 218 673 1,154 2,483 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Other Policies and Secondary Risks While the sections on the previous pages describe the main points of the fund's strategy and risks, there are a few other issues to know about. Other policies o The fund's objective is not a fundamental policy. Although major changes tend to be infrequent, the fund's Board could change the fund's investment goal without seeking shareholder approval. In addition, the Board will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to making any changes to the fund's 80% investment policy, as described herein. o As a temporary defensive measure, the fund could shift up to 100% of assets into investments such as money market securities. This could prevent losses, but, while engaged in a temporary defensive position, the fund will not be pursuing its investment objective. However, the portfolio managers may choose not to use these strategies for various reasons, even in very volatile market conditions. o The fund's equity investments are mainly common stocks, but may also include other types of equities such as preferred or convertible securities. o The fund may trade securities actively. This could raise transaction costs (thus lowering return) and could mean higher taxable distributions. Secondary risks Derivatives Risk. Although not one of its principal investment strategies, the fund may invest in certain types of derivatives. Risks associated with derivatives include: the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives used for risk management may not have the intended effects and may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; and the risk that the derivatives transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses. There is no guarantee that derivatives' activities will be employed or that they will work, and their use could cause lower returns or even losses to the fund. 11 Pricing Risk. At times, market conditions might make it hard to value some investments. For example, if the fund has valued its securities too highly, you may end up paying too much for fund shares when you buy into the fund. If the fund underestimates its price, you may not receive the full market value for your fund shares when you sell. IPO Risk. Securities purchased in initial public offerings (IPOs) may be very volatile, rising and falling rapidly, often based, among other reasons, on investor perceptions rather than on economic factors. Additionally, investments in IPOs may magnify the fund's performance if it has a small asset base. The fund is less likely to experience a similar impact on its performance as its assets grow because it is unlikely that the fund will be able to obtain proportionately larger IPO allocations. Securities Lending Risk. Any loss in the market price of securities loaned by the fund that occurs during the term of the loan would be borne by the fund and would adversely affect the fund's performance. Also, there may be delays in recovery of securities loaned or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while the loan is outstanding. However, loans will be made only to borrowers selected by the fund's delegate after a review of relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. For more information This prospectus doesn't tell you about every policy or risk of investing in the fund. If you want more information on the fund's allowable securities and investment practices and the characteristics and risks of each one, you may want to request a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (the back cover tells you how to do this). Keep in mind that there is no assurance that any mutual fund will achieve its goal. 12 A complete list of the fund's portfolio holdings is posted on www.dws-scudder.com as of the month-end on or after the last day of the following month. This posted information generally remains accessible at least until the date on which the fund files its Form N-CSR or N-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the period that includes the date as of which the posted information is current. In addition, the fund's top ten holdings and other information about the fund is posted on www.dws-scudder.com as of the calendar quarter-end on or after the 15th day following quarter-end. The fund's Statement of Additional Information includes a description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the fund's portfolio holdings. Who Manages and Oversees the Fund The investment advisor Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DeIM"or the "Advisor"), which is part of Deutsche Asset Management, is the investment advisor for the fund. Under the supervision of the fund's Board of Trustees, DeIM, with headquarters at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, makes the fund's investment decisions, buys and sells securities for the fund and conducts research that leads to these purchase and sale decisions. DeIM and its predecessors have more than 80 years of experience managing mutual funds. DeIM provides a full range of investment advisory services to institutional and retail clients. DeIM is also responsible for selecting brokers and dealers and for negotiating brokerage commissions and dealer charges. DWS Scudder is part of Deutsche Asset Management, which is the marketing name in the US for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, DeIM, Deutsche Asset Management, Inc., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and DWS Trust Company. 13 Deutsche Asset Management is a global asset management organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts and an office network that reaches the world's major investment centers. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles. DeIM is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services, including investment management, mutual fund, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance. DeIM receives a management fee from the fund. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006, DeIM received an annual fee of 0.69% of the fund's average daily net assets. On May 5, 2006, shareholders of the fund approved an amended and restated investment management agreement (the "Investment Management Agreement") with the Advisor. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Advisor provides continuing investment management of the assets of the fund. Effective June 1, 2006, the fund pays the Advisor under the Investment Management Agreement a fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.615% of the fund's average daily net assets up to $1.5 billion, 0.565% of the next $500 million and 0.515% thereafter. In addition, under a separate administrative services agreement between the fund and the Advisor, the fund pays the Advisor for providing most of the fund's administrative services. The fund's shareholder report for the semiannual period ended January 31, 2006 contains a discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' renewal of the investment management agreement (see "Shareholder reports" on the back cover). 14 The portfolio managers The fund is managed by a team of investment professionals who collaborate to develop and implement the fund's investment strategy. Each portfolio manager on the team has authority over all aspects of the fund's investment portfolio, including but not limited to, purchases and sales of individual securities, portfolio construction techniques, portfolio risk assessment, and the management of daily cash flows in accordance with portfolio holdings. The following people handle the day-to-day management of the fund. Julie M. Van Cleave, CFA Jack A. Zehner Managing Director of Deutsche Director of Deutsche Asset Management Asset Management and Lead and Portfolio Manager of the fund. Portfolio Manager of the fund. o Joined Deutsche Asset Management o Joined Deutsche Asset Management and the fund in 2002. and the fund in 2002. o Previous experience includes nine o Head of Large Cap Growth. years of investment industry o Previous experience includes 19 experience at Mason Street years of investment industry Advisors where he served most experience at Mason Street recently as Director -- Advisors, most recently serving Common Stock. as Managing Director and team o MBA, Marquette University. leader for the large cap investment team. Thomas J. Schmid, CFA o MBA, University of Wisconsin -- Director of Deutsche Asset Management Madison. and Portfolio Manager of the fund. o Joined Deutsche Asset Management and the fund in 2002. o Previous experience includes 17 years of investment industry experience, most recently serving as Director -- Common Stock at Mason Street Advisors. o MBA, University of Chicago. The fund's Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio managers' investments in the fund, a description of their compensation structure and information regarding other accounts they manage. 15 Market timing related regulatory and litigation matters Since at least July 2003, federal, state and industry regulators have been conducting ongoing inquiries and investigations ("inquiries") into the mutual fund industry, and have requested information from numerous mutual fund companies, including DWS Scudder. The DWS funds' advisors have been cooperating in connection with these inquiries and are in discussions with the regulators concerning proposed settlements. Publicity about mutual fund practices arising from these industrywide inquiries serves as the general basis of a number of private lawsuits against the DWS funds. These lawsuits, which previously have been reported in the press, involve purported class action and derivative lawsuits, making various allegations and naming as defendants various persons, including certain DWS funds, the funds' investment advisors and their affiliates, and certain individuals, including in some cases fund Trustees/Directors, officers, and other parties. Each DWS fund's investment advisor has agreed to indemnify the applicable DWS funds in connection with these lawsuits, or other lawsuits or regulatory actions that may be filed making allegations similar to these lawsuits regarding market timing, revenue sharing, fund valuation or other subjects arising from or related to the pending inquiries. It is not possible to determine with certainty what the outcome of these inquiries will be or what the effect, if any, would be on the funds or their advisors. With respect to the lawsuits, based on currently available information, the funds' investment advisors believe the likelihood that the pending lawsuits will have a material adverse financial impact on a DWS fund is remote and such actions are not likely to materially affect their ability to perform under their investment management agreements with the DWS funds. With respect to the regulatory matters, Deutsche Asset Management ("DeAM") has advised the funds as follows: DeAM expects to reach final agreements with regulators in 2006 regarding allegations of improper trading in the DWS funds. DeAM expects that it will reach settlement agreements with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Attorney General and the Illinois Secretary of State providing for payment of disgorgement, penalties, and investor education contributions totaling approximately 16 $134 million. Approximately $127 million of this amount would be distributed to shareholders of the affected DWS funds in accordance with a distribution plan to be developed by an independent distribution consultant. DeAM does not believe that any of the DWS funds will be named as respondents or defendants in any proceedings. The funds' investment advisors do not believe these amounts will have a material adverse financial impact on them or materially affect their ability to perform under their investment management agreements with the DWS funds. The above-described amounts are not material to Deutsche Bank, and they have already been reserved. Based on the settlement discussions thus far, DeAM believes that it will be able to reach a settlement with the regulators on a basis that is generally consistent with settlements reached by other advisors, taking into account the particular facts and circumstances of market timing at DeAM and at the legacy Scudder and Kemper organizations prior to their acquisition by DeAM in April 2002. Among the terms of the expected settled orders, DeAM would be subject to certain undertakings regarding the conduct of its business in the future, including maintaining existing management fee reductions for certain funds for a period of five years. DeAM expects that these settlements would resolve regulatory allegations that it violated certain provisions of federal and state securities laws (i) by entering into trading arrangements that permitted certain investors to engage in market timing in certain DWS funds and (ii) by failing more generally to take adequate measures to prevent market timing in the DWS funds, primarily during the 1999-2001 period. With respect to the trading arrangements, DeAM expects that the settlement documents will include allegations related to one legacy DeAM arrangement, as well as three legacy Scudder and six legacy Kemper arrangements. All of these trading arrangements originated in businesses that existed prior to the current DeAM organization, which came together in April 2002 as a result of the various mergers of the legacy Scudder, Kemper and Deutsche fund groups, and all of the arrangements were terminated prior to the start of the regulatory investigations that began in the summer of 2003. No current DeAM employee approved the trading arrangements. 17 There is no certainty that the final settlement documents will contain the foregoing terms and conditions. The independent Trustees/Directors of the DWS funds have carefully monitored these regulatory investigations with the assistance of independent legal counsel and independent economic consultants. Additional information announced by DeAM regarding the terms of the expected settlements will be made available at www.dws-scudder.com/regulatory_settlements, which will also disclose the terms of any final settlement agreements once they are announced. Other regulatory matters On September 28, 2006, the SEC and the National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") announced final agreements in which Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DeIM"), Deutsche Asset Management, Inc. ("DeAM, Inc.") and Scudder Distributors, Inc. ("SDI") (now known as DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc.) settled administrative proceedings regarding disclosure of brokerage allocation practices in connection with sales of the Scudder Funds' (now known as the DWS Scudder Funds) shares during 2001-2003. The agreements with the SEC and NASD are reflected in orders which state, among other things, that DeIM and DeAM, Inc. failed to disclose potential conflicts of interest to the fund Boards and to shareholders relating to SDI's use of certain funds' brokerage commissions to reduce revenue sharing costs to broker-dealer firms with whom it had arrangements to market and distribute Scudder Fund shares. These directed brokerage practices were discontinued in October 2003. Under the terms of the settlements, in which DeIM, DeAM, Inc. and SDI neither admitted nor denied any of the regulators' findings, DeIM, DeAM, Inc. and SDI agreed to pay disgorgement, prejudgment interest and civil penalties in the total amount of $19.3 million. The portion of the settlements distributed to the funds was approximately $17.8 million and was paid to the funds as prescribed by the settlement orders based upon the amount of brokerage commissions from each fund used to satisfy revenue sharing agreements with broker-dealers who sold fund shares. 18 As part of the settlements, DeIM, DeAM, Inc. and SDI also agreed to implement certain measures and undertakings relating to revenue sharing payments including making additional disclosures in the fund Prospectuses or Statements of Additional Information, adopting or modifying relevant policies and procedures and providing regular reporting to the fund Boards. SDI has also offered to settle with the NASD regarding SDI's provision of non-cash compensation to associated persons of NASD member firms and related policies. In the offer, SDI consents to the imposition of a censure by the NASD and a fine of $425,000. The NASD has not yet accepted SDI's offer. Additional information announced by DeAM regarding the terms of the expected settlements will be made available at www.dws-scudder.com/regulatory_settlements, which will also disclose the terms of any final settlement agreements once they are announced. 19 Financial Highlights These tables are designed to help you understand the fund's financial performance in recent years. The figures in the first part of each table are for a single share. The total return figures represent the percentage that an investor in the fund would have earned (or lost), assuming all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the fund's annual report (see "Shareholder reports" on the back cover). DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Class A
Years Ended July 31, 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Selected Per Share Data - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $24.36 $21.54 $20.32 $18.64 $27.15 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss)^a (.07) .05 (.08) (.07) (.14) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions .25 2.77 1.30 1.75 (8.37) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total from investment operations .18 2.82 1.22 1.68 (8.51) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less distributions from: Net investment income (.07) -- -- -- -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees .00* .00* -- -- -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $24.47 $24.36 $21.54 $20.32 $18.64 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Return (%)^b .69^c 13.09 6.00^c 9.01 (31.34) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets, end of period ($ millions) 24 28 42 41 44 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%) 1.37 1.27 1.35 1.27 1.28 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%) 1.35 1.27 1.29 1.27 1.28 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%) (.26) .22 (.38) (.36) (.57) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portfolio turnover rate (%) 16 20 21 31 48 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
^a Based on average shares outstanding during the period. ^b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. ^c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. * Amount is less than $.005. 20 DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Class B
Years Ended July 31, 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Selected Per Share Data - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $23.51 $20.94 $19.91 $18.42 $27.04 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss)^a (.24) (.11) (.24) (.21) (.31) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions .23 2.68 1.27 1.70 (8.31) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total from investment operations (.01) 2.57 1.03 1.49 (8.62) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees .00* .00* -- -- -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $23.50 $23.51 $20.94 $19.91 $18.42 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Return (%)^b (.04)^c 12.27^c 5 .17^c 8.09 (31.88) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets, end of period ($ millions) 3 4 4 3 2 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%) 2.45 2.30 2.15 2.07 2.08 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%) 2.11 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%) (1.02) (.56) (1.15) (1.16) (1.37) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portfolio turnover rate (%) 16 20 21 31 48 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
^a Based on average shares outstanding during the period. ^b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. ^c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. * Amount is less than $.005. 21 DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Class C
Years Ended July 31, 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Selected Per Share Data - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $23.54 $20.97 $19.94 $18.43 $27.04 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss)^a (.24) (.11) (.24) (.20) (.30) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions .23 2.68 1.27 1.71 (8.31) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total from investment operations (.01) 2.57 1.03 1.51 (8.61) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees .00* .00* -- -- -- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $23.53 $23.54 $20.97 $19.94 $18.43 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Return (%)^b (.04)^c 12.26^c 5.17^c 8.19 (31.84) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets, end of period ($ millions) 3 3 3 2 1 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%) 2.22 2.20 2.18 2.04 2.06 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%) 2.12 2.04 2.06 2.04 2.06 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%) (1.03) (.55) (1.15) (1.13) (1.35) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portfolio turnover rate (%) 16 20 21 31 48 - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
^a Based on average shares outstanding during the period. ^b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges. ^c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. * Amount is less than $.005. 22 How to Invest in the Fund The following pages tell you about many of the services, choices and benefits of being a shareholder. You'll also find information on how to check the status of your account using the method that's most convenient for you. You can find out more about the topics covered here by speaking with your financial advisor or a representative of your workplace retirement plan or other investment provider. Choosing a Share Class This prospectus offers three share classes for the fund. Each class has its own fees and expenses, offering you a choice of cost structures. The fund offers other classes of shares separately. Class A, Class B and Class C shares are intended for investors seeking the advice and assistance of a financial advisor, who will typically receive compensation for those services. Before you invest, take a moment to look over the characteristics of each share class, so that you can be sure to choose the class that's right for you. You may want to ask your financial advisor to help you with this decision. We describe each share class in detail on the following pages. But first, you may want to look at the table below, which gives you a brief comparison of the main features of each class. ================================================================================ Classes A, B and C features Points to help you compare ================================================================================ Class A o Sales charges of up to 5.75%, charged o Some investors may be able to reduce when you buy shares or eliminate their sales charges; see "Class A shares" o In most cases, no charges when you sell shares o Total annual operating expenses are lower than those for Class B or o Up to 0.25% annual shareholder Class C servicing fee ================================================================================ Class B o No charges when you buy shares o The deferred sales charge rate falls to zero after six years o Deferred sales charge declining from 4.00%, charged when you sell shares o Shares automatically convert to you bought within the last six years Class A after six years, which means lower annual expenses going forward o Up to 0.75% annual distribution fee and 0.25% shareholder servicing fee ================================================================================ Class C o No charges when you buy shares o The deferred sales charge rate is lower than Class B shares, but your shares never convert o Deferred sales charge of 1.00%, to Class A, so annual expenses when you sell shares you remain higher bought within the last year o Up to 0.75% annual distribution fee and 0.25% shareholder servicing fee ================================================================================ Your financial advisor will typically be paid a fee when you buy shares and may receive different levels of compensation depending upon which class of shares you buy. The fund may pay financial advisors or other intermediaries compensation for the services they provide to their clients. This compensation may vary depending on the fund you buy or the class of shares of the fund that you buy. 24 In addition to these payments, the fund's investment advisor (the "Advisor"), DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") and/or their affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their own assets and not as an additional charge to the fund, to selected affiliated and unaffiliated brokers, dealers, participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries ("financial advisors") in connection with the sale and/or distribution of fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of fund investors and fund shares ("revenue sharing"). Such revenue sharing payments are in addition to any distribution or service fees payable under any Rule 12b-1 or service plan of any fund, any record keeping/sub-transfer agency fees payable by the fund (generally by reimbursement to the Distributor or an affiliate) to certain financial advisors for performing such services and any sales charges, commissions, non-cash compensation arrangements expressly permitted under applicable rules of the NASD or other concessions described in the fee table or elsewhere in this prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI") as payable to all financial advisors. For example, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may compensate financial advisors for administrative, sub-accounting, or shareholder processing services and/or for providing the fund with "shelf space" or access to a third party platform or fund offering list, or other marketing programs including, without limitation, inclusion of the fund on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund "supermarket" platforms and other formal sales programs; granting the Distributor access to the financial advisor's sales force; granting the Distributor access to the financial advisor's conferences and meetings; assistance in training and educating the financial advisor's personnel; and, obtaining other forms of marketing support. The level of revenue sharing payments made to financial advisors may be a fixed fee or based upon one or more of the following factors: gross sales, current assets and/or number of accounts of the fund attributable to the financial advisor, the particular fund or fund type or other measures as agreed to by the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates and the financial advisors or any combination thereof. The amount of these revenue sharing payments is determined at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different financial advisors based on, for example, the nature of the services provided by the financial advisor. 25 The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates currently make revenue sharing payments from their own assets in connection with the sale and/or distribution of DWS Fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of investors and DWS Fund shares to financial advisors in amounts that generally range from 0.01% up to 0.50% of assets of the fund serviced and maintained by the financial advisor, 0.05% to 0.40% of sales of the fund attributable to the financial advisor, a flat fee of $12,500 up to $500,000, or any combination thereof. These amounts are subject to change at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates. Receipt of, or the prospect of receiving, this additional compensation, may influence your financial advisor's recommendation of these funds or of any particular share class of the fund. You should review your financial advisor's compensation disclosure and/or talk to your financial advisor to obtain more information on how this compensation may have influenced your financial advisor's recommendation of the fund. Additional information regarding these revenue sharing payments is included in the fund's SAI, which is available to you on request at no charge (see the back cover of this prospectus for more information on how to request a copy of the SAI). The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may also make such revenue sharing payments to financial advisors under the terms discussed above in connection with the distribution of both DWS funds and non-DWS funds by financial advisors to retirement plans that obtain record keeping services from ADP, Inc. on the DWS Scudder branded retirement plan platform (the "Platform") with the level of revenue sharing payments being based upon sales of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds by the financial advisor on the Platform or current assets of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds serviced and maintained by the financial advisor on the Platform. It is likely that broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions for the funds will include firms that also sell shares of the DWS funds to their customers. However, the Advisor will not consider sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the DWS funds. Accordingly, the Advisor has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent its traders from considering sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the fund. In addition, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates will not use fund brokerage to pay for their obligation to provide additional compensation to financial advisors as described above. 26 Class A shares Class A shares have a 12b-1 plan, under which a shareholder servicing fee of up to 0.25% is deducted from class assets each year. Class A shares have a sales charge that varies with the amount you invest: - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Your investment Front-end Sales Front-end Sales Charge as % Charge as % of your of offering net investment(2) price(1),(2) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Up to $50,000 5.75 6.10 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- $50,000-$99,999 4.50 4.71 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- $100,000-$249,999 3.50 3.63 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- $250,000-$499,999 2.60 2.67 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- $500,000-$999,999 2.00 2.04 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- $1 million or more See below and page 29 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) The offering price includes the sales charge. (2) Because of rounding in the calculation of the offering price, the actual maximum front-end sales charge paid by an investor may be higher or lower than the percentage noted above. You may be able to lower your Class A sales charges if: o you plan to invest at least $50,000 in Class A shares (including Class A shares in other retail DWS funds) over the next 24 months ("Letter of Intent") o the amount of Class A shares you already own (including Class A shares in other retail DWS funds) plus the amount you're investing now in Class A shares is at least $50,000 ("Cumulative Discount") o you are investing a total of $50,000 or more in Class A shares of several funds on the same day ("Combined Purchases") The point of these three features is to let you count investments made at other times and in certain other funds for purposes of calculating your present sales charge. Any time you can use the privileges to "move" your investment into a lower sales charge category, it's generally beneficial for you to do so. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. Class A shares may make sense for long-term investors, especially those who are eligible for reduced or eliminated sales charges. 27 For purposes of determining whether you are eligible for a reduced Class A sales charge, you and your immediate family (your spouse or life partner and your children or stepchildren age 21 or younger) may aggregate your investments in the DWS family of funds. This includes, for example, investments held in a retirement account, an employee benefit plan, or at a financial advisor other than the one handling your current purchase. These combined investments will be valued at their current offering price to determine whether your current investment qualifies for a reduced sales charge. To receive a reduction in your Class A initial sales charge, you must let your financial advisor or Shareholder Services know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction. You may be asked by your financial advisor or Shareholder Services to provide account statements or other information regarding related accounts of you or your immediate family in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge. For more information about sales charge discounts, please visit the "Individual Investors" section of www.dws-scudder.com (click on the link entitled "Fund Sales Charge and Breakpoint Schedule"), consult with your financial advisor or refer to the section entitled "Purchase or Redemption of Shares" in the fund's Statement of Additional Information. You may be able to buy Class A shares without sales charges when you are: o reinvesting dividends or distributions o participating in an investment advisory or agency commission program under which you pay a fee to an investment advisor or other firm for portfolio management or brokerage services o exchanging an investment in Class A shares of another fund in the DWS family of funds for an investment in the fund o a current or former director or trustee of the Deutsche or DWS mutual funds 28 o an employee (including the employee's spouse or life partner and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger) of Deutsche Bank or its affiliates or of a subadvisor to any fund in the DWS family of funds or of a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares of such funds There are a number of additional provisions that apply in order to be eligible for a sales charge waiver. The fund may waive the sales charges for investors in other situations as well. Your financial advisor or Shareholder Services can answer your questions and help you determine if you are eligible. If you're investing $1 million or more, either as a lump sum or through one of the sales charge reduction features described above, you may be eligible to buy Class A shares without sales charges ("Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege"). However, you may be charged a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1.00% on any shares you sell within 12 months of owning them and a similar charge of 0.50% on shares you sell within the next six months of owning them. This CDSC is waived under certain circumstances (see "Policies You Should Know About"). Your financial advisor or Shareholder Services can answer your questions and help you determine if you're eligible. Class B shares With Class B shares, you pay no up-front sales charges. Class B shares have a 12b-1 plan, under which a distribution fee of 0.75% and a shareholder servicing fee of up to 0.25% are deducted from class assets each year. This means the annual expenses for Class B shares are somewhat higher (and their performance correspondingly lower) compared to Class A shares. After six years, Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares which has the net effect of lowering the annual expenses from the seventh year on. However, unlike Class A shares, your entire investment goes to work immediately. 29 Class B shares have a CDSC. This charge declines over the years you own shares and disappears completely after six years of ownership. But for any shares you sell within those six years, you may be charged as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Year after you bought shares CDSC on shares you sell ---------------------------------------------------------------------- First year 4.00% ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Second or third year 3.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fourth or fifth year 2.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sixth year 1.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Seventh year and later None (automatic conversion to Class A) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This CDSC is waived under certain circumstances (see "Policies You Should Know About"). Your financial advisor or Shareholder Services can answer your questions and help you determine if you're eligible. While Class B shares don't have any front-end sales charges, their higher annual expenses mean that over the years you could end up paying more than the equivalent of the maximum allowable front-end sales charge. If you are thinking of making a large purchase in Class B shares or if you already own a large amount of Class A shares in this fund or other DWS funds, it may be more cost efficient to purchase Class A shares instead. Orders to purchase Class B shares of $100,000 or more will be declined with the exception of orders received from financial representatives acting for clients whose shares are held in an omnibus account and certain employer-sponsored employee benefit plans. You should consult with your financial advisor to determine which class of shares is appropriate for you. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. Class B shares may make sense for long-term investors who prefer to see all of their investment go to work right away and can accept somewhat higher annual expenses. 30 Class C shares With Class C shares, you pay no up-front sales charges. Class C shares have a 12b-1 plan under which a distribution fee of 0.75% and a shareholder servicing fee of up to 0.25% are deducted from class assets each year. Because of these fees, the annual expenses for Class C shares are similar to those of Class B shares, but higher than those for Class A shares (and the performance of Class C shares is correspondingly lower than that of Class A shares). Unlike Class B shares, Class C shares do NOT automatically convert to Class A shares after six years, so they continue to have higher annual expenses. Class C shares have a CDSC, but only on shares you sell within one year of buying them: - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Year after you bought shares CDSC on shares you sell - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- First year 1.00% - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Second year and later None - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This CDSC is waived under certain circumstances (see "Policies You Should Know About"). Your financial advisor or Shareholder Services can answer your questions and help you determine if you're eligible. While Class C shares don't have any front-end sales charge, their higher annual expenses mean that over the years, you could end up paying more than the equivalent of the maximum allowable front-end sales charge. Orders to purchase Class C shares of $500,000 or more will be declined with the exception of orders received from financial representatives acting for clients whose shares are held in an omnibus account and certain employer-sponsored employee benefit plans. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. Class C shares may appeal to investors who plan to sell some or all shares within six years of buying them or who aren't certain of their investment time horizon. 31 How to Buy Class A, B and C Shares Once you've chosen a share class, use these instructions to make investments. ================================================================================ First investment Additional investments ================================================================================ $1,000 or more for regular accounts $50 or more for regular accounts and $500 or more for IRAs IRA accounts $50 or more with an Automatic $50 or more with an Automatic Investment Plan Investment Plan ================================================================================ Through a financial advisor o Contact your advisor using the method o Contact your advisor using the that's most convenient for you method that's most convenient for you ================================================================================ By mail or express mail (see below) o Fill out and sign an application o Send a check made out to "DWS Scudder" and an investment slip to o Send it to us at the appropriate us at the appropriate address below address, along with an investment check o If you don't have an investment slip, simply include a letter with your name, account number, the full name of the fund and the share class and your investment instructions ================================================================================ By wire o Call (800) 621-1048 for instructions o Call (800) 621-1048 for instructions ================================================================================ By phone Not available o Call (800) 621-1048 for instructions ================================================================================ With an automatic investment plan o Fill in the information on your o To set up regular investments from application and include a voided check. a bank checking account, call (800) 621-1048 ================================================================================ Using QuickBuy Not available o Call (800) 621-1048 to make sure QuickBuy is set up on your account; if it is, you can request a transfer from your bank account of any amount between $50 and $250,000 ================================================================================ On the Internet Not available o Register at www.dws-scudder.com o Follow the instructions for buying shares with money from your bank account ================================================================================ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regular mail: First Investment: DWS Scudder, PO Box 219356, Kansas City, MO 64121-9356 Additional Investments: DWS Scudder, PO Box 219154, Kansas City, MO 64121-9154 Express, registered or certified mail: DWS Scudder, 210 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1614 32 How to Exchange or Sell Class A, B and C Shares Use these instructions to exchange or sell shares in your account. ================================================================================ Exchanging into another fund Selling shares ================================================================================ $1,000 or more to open a new account Some transactions, including most for ($500 for IRAs) over $100,000, can only be ordered in writing with a signature guarantee; if $50 or more for exchanges between you're in doubt, see page 42 existing accounts ================================================================================ Through a financial advisor o Contact your advisor by the method o Contact your advisor by the method that's most convenient for you that's most convenient for you ================================================================================ By phone or wire o Call (800) 621-1048 for instructions o Call (800) 621-1048 for instructions ================================================================================ By mail or express mail (see previous page) Write a letter that includes: Write a letter that includes: o the fund, class and account number o the fund, class and account number you're exchanging out of from which you want to sell shares o the dollar amount or number of shares o the dollar amount or number of you want to exchange shares you want to sell o the name and class of the fund you o your name(s), signature(s) and want to exchange into address, as they appear on your account o your name(s), signature(s) and address, as they appear on your o a daytime telephone number account o a daytime telephone number ================================================================================ Using QuickSell Not available o Call (800) 621-1048 to make sure QuickSell is set up on your account; if it is, you can request a transfer to your bank account of any amount between $50 and $250,000 ================================================================================ With an automatic exchange plan o To set up regular exchanges from a Not available fund account, call (800) 621-1048 ================================================================================ With an automatic withdrawal plan Not available o To set up regular cash payments from a fund account, call (800) 621-1048 (minimum $50) ================================================================================ On the Internet o Register at www.dws-scudder.com o Register at www.dws-scudder.com o Follow the instructions for making o Follow the instructions for making on-line exchanges on-line redemptions ================================================================================ To reach us: Web site: www.dws-scudder.com Telephone representative: (800) 621-1048, M-F, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET TDD line: (800) 972-3006, M-F, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET 33 Policies You Should Know About Along with the instructions on the previous pages, the policies below may affect you as a shareholder. Some of this information, such as the section on dividends and taxes, applies to all investors, including those investing through financial advisors. If you are investing through a financial advisor or through a retirement plan, check the materials you received from them about how to buy and sell shares because particular financial advisors or other intermediaries may adopt policies, procedures or limitations that are separate from those described by the fund. Please note that a financial advisor may charge fees separate from those charged by the fund. Keep in mind that the information in this prospectus applies only to the fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares. The fund has other share classes, which are described in separate prospectuses and have different fees, requirements and services. In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact your financial advisor or call (800) 621-1048. Policies about transactions The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. The fund calculates its share price for each class every business day, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, but sometimes earlier, as in the case of scheduled half-day trading or unscheduled suspensions of trading). You can place an order to buy or sell shares at any time. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. The DWS Scudder Web site can be a valuable resource for shareholders with Internet access. Go to www.dws- scudder.com to get up-to-date information, review balances or even place orders for exchanges. 34 To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means to you: when you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. Some or all of this information will be used to verify the identity of all persons opening an account. We might request additional information about you (which may include certain documents, such as articles of incorporation for companies) to help us verify your identity, and in some cases the information and/or documents may be required to conduct the verification. The information and documents will be used solely to verify your identity. We will attempt to collect any missing required and requested information by contacting you or your financial advisor. If we are unable to obtain this information within the time frames established by the fund, then we may reject your application and order. The fund will not invest your purchase until all required and requested identification information has been provided and your application has been submitted in "good order." After we receive all the information, your application is deemed to be in good order and we accept your purchase, you will receive the net asset value per share next calculated (less any applicable sales charges). If we are unable to verify your identity within time frames established by the fund, after a reasonable effort to do so, you will receive written notification. The fund generally will not accept new account applications to establish an account with a non-US address (APO/FPO and US territories are acceptable) or for a non-resident alien. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. If you ever have difficulty placing an order by phone or Internet, you can send us your order in writing. 35 Because orders placed through a financial advisor must be forwarded to the transfer agent before they can be processed, you'll need to allow extra time. A representative of your financial advisor should be able to tell you approximately when your order will be processed. It is the responsibility of your financial advisor to forward your order to the transfer agent in a timely manner. Initial Purchase. The minimum initial investment for Class A, B and C shares is $1,000, except for investments on behalf of participants in certain fee-based and wrap programs offered through certain financial intermediaries approved by the Advisor, for which there is no minimum initial investment; and IRAs for which the minimum initial investment is $500 per account. The minimum initial investment is $50 per account if you establish an automatic investment plan. Group retirement plans and certain other accounts have similar or lower minimum share balance requirements. In addition, the fund may waive minimums for investments on behalf of fund trustees and directors or officers or employees of the Advisor and its affiliates. Market Timing Policies and Procedures. Short-term and excessive trading of fund shares may present risks to the fund's long-term shareholders, including potential dilution in the value of fund shares, interference with the efficient management of the fund's portfolios (including losses on the sale of investments), taxable gains to remaining shareholders and increased brokerage and administrative costs. These risks may be more pronounced for funds investing in certain securities such as those that trade in foreign markets, are illiquid or do not otherwise have "readily available market quotations." Certain investors may seek to employ short-term trading strategies aimed at exploiting variations in portfolio valuation that arise from the nature of the securities held by the fund (e.g., "time zone arbitrage"). 36 The fund discourages short-term and excessive trading. The fund will take steps to detect and deter short-term and excessive trading pursuant to the fund's policies as described in this prospectus and approved by the Board. The fund generally defines short-term trading as purchase and redemption activity, including exchanges, that occurs within the time period for imposition of redemption fees. The fund may also take trading activity that occurs over longer periods into account if the fund reasonably believes such activity is of an amount or frequency that may be harmful to long-term shareholders or disruptive to portfolio management. The fund's policies include: o a 2% redemption fee on fund shares held for less than a specified holding period (subject to certain exceptions discussed below under "Redemption fees"); o the fund reserves the right to reject or cancel a purchase or exchange order for any reason when, in the opinion of the advisor, there appears to be a pattern of short-term or excessive trading activity by a shareholder or any other trading activity deemed harmful or disruptive to the fund; and o the fund has adopted certain fair valuation practices intended to protect the fund from "time zone arbitrage" with respect to its foreign securities holdings and other trading practices that seek to exploit variations in portfolio valuation that arise from the nature of the securities held by the fund. (See "How the fund calculates share price.") When a pattern of short-term or excessive trading activity or other trading activity deemed harmful or disruptive to the funds by an investor is detected, the advisor may determine to prohibit that investor from future purchases in the funds or to limit or terminate the investor's exchange privilege. The detection of these patterns and the banning of further trading are inherently subjective and therefore involve some selectivity in their application. The advisor seeks to make such determinations in a manner consistent with the interests of the fund's long-term shareholders. 37 There is no assurance that these policies and procedures will be effective in limiting short-term and excessive trading in all cases. For example, the advisor may not be able to effectively monitor, detect or limit short-term or excessive trading by underlying shareholders that occurs through omnibus accounts maintained by broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. Depending on the amount of fund shares held in such omnibus accounts (which may represent most of the fund's shares) short-term and/or excessive trading of fund shares could adversely affect long-term shareholders in the fund. It is important to note that shareholders that invest through omnibus accounts also may be subject to the policies and procedures of their financial intermediaries with respect to short-term and excessive trading in the fund. The fund's policies and procedures may be modified or terminated at any time. Redemption fees. The fund imposes a redemption fee of 2% of the total redemption amount (calculated at net asset value, without regard to the effect of any contingent deferred sales charge; any contingent deferred sales charge is also assessed on the total redemption amount without regard to the assessment of the 2% redemption fee) on all fund shares redeemed or exchanged within 15 days of buying them (either by purchase or exchange). The redemption fee is paid directly to the fund, and is designed to encourage long-term investment and to offset transaction and other costs associated with short-term or excessive trading. For purposes of determining whether the redemption fee applies, shares held the longest time will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held the shortest time will be treated as being redeemed last. 38 The redemption fee is applicable to fund shares purchased either directly or through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer. Transactions through financial intermediaries typically are placed with the funds on an omnibus basis and include both purchase and sale transactions placed on behalf of multiple investors. These purchase and sale transactions are generally netted against one another and placed on an aggregate basis; consequently the identities of the individuals on whose behalf the transactions are placed generally are not known to the funds. For this reason, the fund has undertaken to notify financial intermediaries of their obligation to assess the redemption fee on customer accounts and to collect and remit the proceeds to the fund. However, due to operational requirements, the intermediaries' methods for tracking and calculating the fee may be inadequate or differ in some respects from the fund's. Subject to approval by DeAM or the fund's Board, intermediaries who transact business on an omnibus basis may implement the redemption fees according to their own operational guidelines (which may be different than the fund's policies) and remit the fees to the fund. In addition, certain intermediaries that do not currently have the capacity to collect redemption fees at an account level may be granted a temporary waiver from the fund's policies until such time as they can develop and implement a system to collect the redemption fees. 39 The redemption fee will not be charged in connection with the following exchange or redemption transactions: (i) transactions on behalf of participants in certain research wrap programs; (ii) transactions on behalf of participants in certain group retirement plans and financial intermediaries whose processing systems are incapable of properly applying the redemption fee to underlying shareholders; (iii) transactions on behalf of a shareholder to return any excess IRA contributions to the shareholder; (iv) transactions on behalf of a shareholder to effect a required minimum distribution on an IRA; (v) transactions on behalf of any mutual fund advised by the fund's investment advisor and its affiliates (e.g., "funds of funds") or, in the case of a master/feeder relationship, redemptions by the feeder fund from the master portfolio; (vi) transactions on behalf of certain unaffiliated mutual funds operating as funds of funds; (vii) transactions following death or disability of any registered shareholder, beneficial owner or grantor of a living trust with respect to shares purchased before death or disability; (viii) transactions involving hardship of any registered shareholder; (ix) systematic transactions with predefined trade dates for purchases, exchanges or redemptions, such as automatic account rebalancing, or loan origination and repayments; (x) transactions involving shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions; (xi) transactions involving shares transferred from another account in the same fund or converted from another class of the same fund (e.g., shares converting from Class B to Class A) (the redemption fee period will carry over to the acquired shares); (xii) transactions initiated by the fund or administrator (e.g., redemptions for not meeting account minimums, to pay account fees funded by share redemptions, or in the event of the liquidation or merger of the fund); (xiii) transactions in cases when there are legal or contractual limitations or restrictions on the imposition of the redemption fee (as determined by the fund or its agents in their sole discretion); or (xiv) for DWS Massachusetts Tax-Free Fund, DWS Short Term Bond Fund and DWS Intermediate Tax/AMT Free Fund only: checkwriting transactions in these funds. 40 The fund expects that the waiver for certain group retirement plans and financial intermediaries will be eliminated over time as their respective operating systems are improved. Until such time that these operating systems are improved, the funds' investment advisor will attempt to monitor the trading activity in these accounts and will take appropriate corrective action if it appears that a pattern of short-term or excessive trading or other harmful or disruptive trading by underlying shareholders exists. The funds reserve the right to withdraw waivers, and to modify or terminate these waivers or the redemption fee at any time. Automated phone information is available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 621-1048. You can use our automated phone services to get information on DWS funds generally and on accounts held directly at DWS Scudder. You can also use this service to make exchanges and sell shares. QuickBuy and QuickSell let you set up a link between a DWS fund account and a bank account. Once this link is in place, you can move money between the two with a phone call. You'll need to make sure your bank has Automated Clearing House (ACH) services. Transactions take two to three days to be completed and there is a $50 minimum and a $250,000 maximum. To set up QuickBuy and QuickSell on a new account, see the account application; to add it to an existing account, call (800) 621-1048. Telephone and electronic transactions. Generally, you are automatically entitled to telephone and electronic transaction privileges, but you may elect not to have them when you open your account or by contacting Shareholder Services at (800) 621-1048 at a later date. Since many transactions may be initiated by telephone or electronically, it's important to understand that as long as we take reasonable steps to ensure that an order to purchase or redeem shares is genuine, such as recording calls or requesting personalized security codes or other information, we are not responsible for any losses that may occur as a result. For transactions conducted over the Internet, we recommend the use of a secure Internet browser. In addition, you should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them. 41 The fund accepts payment for shares only in US dollars by check, bank or Federal Funds wire transfer, or by electronic bank transfer. Please note that the fund cannot accept cash, traveler's checks, starter checks, money orders, third party checks, checks drawn on foreign banks, or checks issued by credit card companies or Internet-based companies. We do not issue share certificates. However, if you currently have shares in certificated form, you must include the share certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock power when exchanging or redeeming shares. You may not exchange or redeem shares in certificate form by telephone or via the Internet. When you ask us to send or receive a wire, please note that while we don't charge a fee to send or receive wires, it's possible that your bank may do so. Wire transactions are generally completed within 24 hours. The fund can only send wires of $1,000 or more and accept wires of $50 or more. When you want to sell more than $100,000 worth of shares or send proceeds to a third party or to a new address, you'll usually need to place your order in writing and include a signature guarantee. However, if you want money wired to a bank account that is already on file with us, you don't need a signature guarantee. Also, you generally don't need a signature guarantee for an exchange, although we may require one in certain other circumstances. A signature guarantee is simply a certification of your signature -- a valuable safeguard against fraud. You can get a signature guarantee from an eligible guarantor institution, including commercial banks, savings and loans, trust companies, credit unions, member firms of a national stock exchange, or any member or participant of an approved signature guarantor program. Note that you can't get a signature guarantee from a notary public and we must be provided the original guarantee. Selling shares of trust accounts and business or organization accounts may require additional documentation. Please contact your financial advisor for more information. 42 When you sell shares that have a CDSC, we calculate the CDSC as a percentage of what you paid for the shares or what you are selling them for -- whichever results in the lower charge to you. In processing orders to sell shares, the shares with the lowest CDSC are sold first. Exchanges from one fund into another fund don't affect CDSCs. For each investment you make, the date you first bought shares is the date we use to calculate a CDSC on that particular investment. There are certain cases in which you may be exempt from a CDSC. Among others, these include: o the death or disability of an account owner (including a joint owner). This waiver applies only under certain conditions. Please contact your financial advisor or Shareholder Services to determine if the conditions exist. o withdrawals made through an automatic withdrawal plan. Such withdrawals may be made at a maximum of 12% per year of the net asset value of the account o withdrawals related to certain retirement or benefit plans o redemptions for certain loan advances, hardship provisions or returns of excess contributions from retirement plans o for Class A shares purchased through the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege, redemption of shares whose dealer of record at the time of the investment notifies DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc., the fund's distributor, that the dealer waives the applicable commission o for Class C shares, redemption of shares purchased through a dealer-sponsored asset allocation program maintained on an omnibus record-keeping system, provided the dealer of record has waived the advance of the first year distribution and service fees applicable to such shares and has agreed to receive such fees quarterly In each of these cases, there are a number of additional provisions that apply in order to be eligible for a CDSC waiver. Your financial advisor or Shareholder Services can answer your questions and help you determine if you are eligible. 43 If you sell shares in a DWS fund and then decide to invest with DWS Scudder again within six months, you can take advantage of the "reinstatement feature." With this feature, you can put your money back into the same class of a DWS fund at its current NAV and for purposes of sales charges it will be treated as if it had never left DWS Scudder. You'll be reimbursed (in the form of fund shares) for any CDSC you paid when you sold. Future CDSC calculations will be based on your original investment date, rather than your reinstatement date. There is also an option that lets investors who sold Class B shares buy Class A shares with no sales charge, although they won't be reimbursed for any CDSC they paid. You can only use the reinstatement feature once for any given group of shares. To take advantage of this feature, contact Shareholder Services or your financial advisor. Money from shares you sell is normally sent out within one business day of when your order is processed (not when it is received), although it could be delayed for up to seven days. There are other circumstances when it could be longer: when you are selling shares you bought recently by check and that check hasn't cleared yet (maximum delay: 10 days) or when unusual circumstances prompt the SEC to allow further delays. Certain expedited redemption processes may also be delayed when you are selling recently purchased shares or in the event of the closing of the Federal Reserve Bank's wire payment system. For additional circumstances where redemption proceeds could be delayed, please see "Other rights we reserve." You may obtain additional information about other ways to sell your shares by contacting your financial advisor. 44 How the fund calculates share price To calculate net asset value per share, or NAV, each share class uses the following equation: TOTAL ASSETS - TOTAL LIABILITIES -------------------------------------------- = NAV TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING The price at which you buy shares is the NAV, although for Class A shares it will be adjusted to allow for any applicable sales charges (see "Choosing a Share Class"). The price at which you sell shares is also the NAV, although for Class B and Class C investors a CDSC may be taken out of the proceeds (see "Choosing a Share Class"). The fund charges a short-term redemption fee equal to 2.00% of the value of shares redeemed or exchanged within 15 days of buying them. Please see "Policies about transactions -- Redemption fees" for further information. We typically value securities using information furnished by an independent pricing service or market quotations, where appropriate. Generally, we may use methods approved by the fund's Board, such as a fair valuation model, which are intended to reflect fair value when pricing service information or market quotations are not readily available or when a security's value or a meaningful portion of the value of the fund's portfolio is believed to have been materially affected by a significant event, such as a natural disaster, an economic event like a bankruptcy filing, or a substantial fluctuation in domestic or foreign markets, that has occurred between the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market) and the close of the New York Stock Exchange. In such a case, the fund's value for a security is likely to be different from the last quoted market price or pricing service information. In addition, due to the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, it is possible that the value determined for a particular asset may be materially different from the value realized upon such asset's sale. It is expected that the greater the percentage of fund assets that is invested in non-US securities, the more extensive will be the fund's use of fair value pricing. This is intended to reduce the fund's exposure to "time zone arbitrage" and other harmful trading practices. (See "Market Timing Policies and Procedures.") 45 To the extent that the fund invests in securities that are traded primarily in foreign markets, the value of its holdings could change at a time when you aren't able to buy or sell fund shares. This is because some foreign markets are open on days or at times when the funds don't price their shares. Other rights we reserve You should be aware that we may do any of the following: o withdraw or suspend the offering of shares at any time o withhold a portion of your distributions as federal income tax if we have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding or if you fail to provide us with a correct taxpayer ID number and certain certifications or certification that you are exempt from backup withholding o reject a new account application if you don't provide any required or requested identifying information, or for any other reasons o refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order; freeze any account (meaning you will not be able to purchase fund shares in your account); suspend account services; and/or involuntarily redeem your account if we think that the account is being used for fraudulent or illegal purposes; one or more of these actions will be taken when, at our sole discretion, they are deemed to be in the fund's best interest or when the fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority or by applicable law o close and liquidate your account if we are unable to verify your identity or for other reasons; if we decide to close your account, your fund shares will be redeemed at the net asset value per share next calculated after we determine to close your account (less any applicable sales charges or redemption fees); you may recognize gain or loss on the redemption of your fund shares and you may incur a tax liability 46 o close your account and send you the proceeds if your balance falls below $1,000; we will give you 60 days' notice (90 days for retirement accounts) so you can either increase your balance or close your account (this policy doesn't apply to investors with $100,000 or more in DWS fund shares, investors with an Automatic Investment Plan established with $50 or more per month, investors in certain fee-based and wrap programs offered through certain financial intermediaries approved by the Advisor, or in any case, where a fall in share price created the low balance) o pay you for shares you sell by "redeeming in kind," that is, by giving you marketable securities (which typically will involve brokerage costs for you to liquidate) rather than cash, but which will be taxable to the same extent as a redemption for cash; the fund generally won't make a redemption in kind unless your requests over a 90-day period total more than $250,000 or 1% of the value of the fund's net assets, whichever is less o change, add or withdraw various services, fees and account policies (for example, we may change or terminate the exchange privilege or adjust the fund's investment minimums at any time) o suspend or postpone redemptions as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Generally, those circumstances are when: 1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary weekend or holiday closings; 2) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted; 3) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by a portfolio or the fair determination of the value of a portfolio's net assets not reasonably practicable; or 4) the SEC, by order, permits the suspension of the right of redemption. Redemption payments by wire may also be delayed in the event of a nonroutine closure of the Federal Reserve wire payment system. 47 Understanding Distributions and Taxes The fund intends to distribute to its shareholders virtually all of its net earnings. The fund can earn money in two ways: by receiving interest, dividends or other income from securities it holds and by selling securities for more than it paid for them. (The fund's earnings are separate from any gains or losses stemming from your own purchase and sale of shares.) The fund may not always pay a distribution for a given period. The fund intends to pay dividends and distributions to its shareholders annually in December, and if necessary, may do so at other times as well. For federal income tax purposes, income and capital gains distributions are generally taxable. Dividends and distributions received by retirement plans qualifying for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws generally will not be taxable. Similarly, there will be no federal income tax consequences when a qualified retirement plan buys or sells fund shares. You can choose how to receive your dividends and distributions. You can have them all automatically reinvested in fund shares (at NAV), all deposited directly to your bank account or all sent to you by check, have one type reinvested and the other sent to you by check or have them invested in a different fund. Tell us your preference on your application. If you don't indicate a preference, your dividends and distributions will all be reinvested in shares of the fund without applicable sales charges. Dividends and distributions are taxable whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. For retirement plans, reinvestment (at NAV) is the only option. Dividends and distributions received by retirement plan qualifying for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws generally will not be taxable. Buying, selling or exchanging fund shares will usually have federal income tax consequences for you (except in an IRA or other tax-advantaged account). Your sale of shares may result in a capital gain or loss. The gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on how long you owned the shares that were sold. For federal income tax purposes, an exchange is treated the same as a sale. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. Because each shareholder's tax situation is unique, ask your tax professional about the tax consequences of your investments, including any state and local tax consequences. 48 The federal income tax status of the fund's earnings you receive and your own fund transactions generally depends on their type: ==================================================================== Generally taxed at long-term Generally taxed at ordinary capital gain rates: income rates: ==================================================================== Distributions from the fund o gains from the sale of o gains from the sale of securities held by the fund for securities held by the fund more than one year for one year or less o qualified dividend income o all other taxable income ==================================================================== Transactions involving fund shares o gains from selling fund shares o gains from selling fund held for more than one year shares held for one year or less ==================================================================== Any investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. In that case, the fund's yield on those securities would generally be decreased. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the fund. In addition, any investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the fund's recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the fund's distributions. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, distributions to individuals and other noncorporate shareholders of investment income designated by the fund as derived from qualified dividend income are eligible for taxation for federal income tax purposes at the more favorable long-term capital gain rates. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends from domestic and some foreign corporations. The fund must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the fund's shares for lower tax rates to apply. 49 For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, the maximum federal income tax rate imposed on long-term capital gain imposed on individuals and other noncorporate shareholders has been temporarily reduced to 15%. For more information, see the Statement of Additional Information, under "Federal Income Taxes." Your fund will send you detailed federal income tax information every January. These statements tell you the amount and the federal income tax category of any dividends or distributions you received. They also have certain details on your purchases and sales of shares. The federal income tax status of dividends and distributions is the same whether you reinvest them or not. Dividends or distributions declared in the last quarter of a given year are taxed in that year, even though you may not receive the money until the following January. If you invest right before the fund pays a dividend, you'll be getting some of your investment back as a taxable dividend. You can avoid this, if you want, by investing after the fund declares a dividend. In tax-advantaged retirement accounts you don't need to worry about this. Corporations are taxed at the same rates on ordinary income and capital gains, but may be eligible for a dividends-received deduction for a portion of income dividends they receive from the fund, provided certain holding period and other requirements are met. The above discussion is applicable to shareholders who are US persons. If you are a non-US person, please consult your own tax advisor with respect to the US tax consequences of an investment in the fund. Additional information may be found in the fund's Statement of Additional Information. 50 Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For More Information Shareholder reports -- These include commentary from the fund's management team about recent market conditions and the effects of the fund's strategies on its performance. They also have detailed performance figures, a list of everything the fund owns, and the fund's financial statements. Shareholders get these reports automatically. Statement of Additional Information (SAI) -- This tells you more about the fund's features and policies, including additional risk information. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this document (meaning that it's legally part of this prospectus). For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other information about the fund, call (800) 621-1048, or contact DWS Scudder at the address listed below. The fund's SAI and shareholder reports are also available through the DWS Scudder Web site at www.dws-scudder.com. These documents and other information about the fund are available from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at www.sec.gov. If you like, you may obtain copies of this information, after paying a copying fee, by e-mailing a request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the SEC at the address listed below. You can also review and copy these documents and other information about the fund, including the fund's SAI, 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. DWS Scudder SEC Distributor - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PO Box 219151 100 F Street, N.E. DWS Scudder Distributors, Kansas City, MO 64121-9151 Washington, D.C. Inc. www.dws-scudder.com 20549-0102 222 South Riverside Plaza (800) 621-1048 www.sec.gov Chicago, IL 60606-5808 (800) SEC-0330 (800) 621-1148 SEC File Number: DWS Large Company Growth Fund 811-43 [DWS SCUDDER Logo] Deutsche Bank Group - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 1, 2006 PROSPECTUS ----------------- INSTITUTIONAL CLASS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DWS Large Company Growth Fund (formerly Scudder Large Company Growth Fund) As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not approve or disapprove these shares or determine whether the information in this prospectus is truthful or complete. It is a criminal offense for anyone to inform you otherwise. ONE GLOBAL FORCE. ONE FOCUS. YOU. [DWS SCUDDER Logo] Deutsche Bank Group Contents - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How the Fund Works How to Invest in the Fund 4 The Fund's Main Investment 21 Buying and Selling Strategy Institutional Class Shares 5 The Main Risks of Investing in 23 Policies You Should Know the Fund About 7 The Fund's Performance History 40 Understanding Distributions and Taxes 9 How Much Investors Pay 10 Other Policies and Secondary Risks 12 Who Manages and Oversees the Fund 19 Financial Highlights How the Fund Works On the next few pages, you'll find information about the fund's investment goal, the main strategies it uses to pursue that goal and the main risks that could affect performance. Whether you are considering investing in the fund or are already a shareholder, you'll want to look this information over carefully. You may want to keep it on hand for reference as well. Remember that mutual funds are investments, not bank deposits. They're not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Their share prices will go up and down and you could lose money by investing in them. You can find DWS prospectuses on the Internet at www.dws-scudder.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus). - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class ticker symbol SGGIX fund number 1469 DWS Large Company Growth Fund (formerly Scudder Large Company Growth Fund) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Fund's Main Investment Strategy The fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in large US companies that are similar in size to the companies in the Russell 1000(R) Growth Index (as of October 31, 2006, the Russell 1000(R) Growth Index had a median market capitalization of $5 billion). The fund intends to invest primarily in companies whose market capitalizations fall within the normal range of the Index. These investments are in equities, mainly common stocks. In managing the fund, the managers use a combination of three analytical disciplines: Top-down analysis. The managers consider the economic outlooks for various sectors and industries while looking for those that may benefit from changes in the overall business environment. Fundamental company research. The managers look for individual companies with a history of above-average growth, strong competitive positioning, attractive prices relative to potential growth, sound financial strength and effective management, among other factors. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER INVESTMENTS The fund is permitted, but not required, to use various types of derivatives (contracts whose value is based on, for example, indexes, currencies or securities). In particular, the fund may use futures, options and covered call options. The fund may use derivatives in circumstances where the managers believe they offer an economical means of gaining exposure to a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions or other needs while maintaining exposure to the market (see "Secondary risks" for more information). 4 Growth orientation. The managers generally look for companies that they believe have above-average potential for sustainable growth of revenue or earnings and whose market value appears reasonable in light of their business prospects. The managers may favor different types of securities from different industries and companies at different times. The managers will normally sell a stock when the managers believe its price is unlikely to go higher, the company's fundamentals have changed, other investments offer better opportunities or in the course of adjusting the fund's emphasis on a given industry. The fund may lend its investment securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets to approved institutional borrowers who need to borrow securities in order to complete certain transactions. The Main Risks of Investing in the Fund There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund's performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund's performance to trail that of other investments. Stock Market Risk. As with most stock funds, the most important factor with this fund is how stock markets perform -- in this case, large company growth stocks. When large company growth stock prices fall, you should expect the value of your investment to fall as well. Large company growth stocks may be somewhat less volatile than shares of smaller companies, but at times may not perform as well. Because a stock represents ownership in its issuer, stock prices can be hurt by poor management, shrinking product demand and other business risks. These may affect single companies as well as groups of companies. In addition, movements in financial markets may adversely affect a stock's price, regardless of how well the company performs. The market as a whole may not favor the types of investments the fund makes and the fund may not be able to get an attractive price for them. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. This fund is designed for investors with long-term goals who are interested in a fund with a growth-style approach to large-cap investing. 5 Growth Investing Risk. Since growth stocks usually reinvest a large portion of earnings in their own businesses, they may lack the dividends associated with value stocks that might otherwise cushion their decline in a falling market. Earnings disappointments in growth stocks often result in sharp price declines because investors buy these stocks because of their potential for superior earnings growth. Growth stocks may also be out of favor for certain periods in relation to value stocks. Industry Risk. While the fund does not concentrate in any industry, to the extent that the fund has exposure to a given industry or sector, any factors affecting that industry or sector could affect the value of portfolio securities. For example, manufacturers of consumer goods could be hurt by a rise in unemployment, or technology companies could be hurt by such factors as market saturation, price competition and rapid obsolescence. Other factors that could affect performance include: o the managers could be incorrect in their analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, the relative attractiveness of different sizes of stocks, geographical trends or other matters o derivatives could produce disproportionate losses due to a variety of factors, including the unwillingness or inability of the counterparty to meet its obligations or unexpected price or interest rate movements (see "Secondary risks" for more information) 6 The Fund's Performance History While a fund's past performance (before and after taxes) isn't necessarily a sign of how it will do in the future, it can be valuable for an investor to know. The bar chart shows how the performance for the fund's Institutional Class shares (formerly Class I shares) has varied from year to year, which may give some idea of risk. The table on the following page shows how fund performance compares with a broad-based market index (which, unlike the fund, does not have any fees or expenses). The performance of both the fund and the index varies over time. All figures assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions (in the case of after-tax returns, reinvested net of assumed tax rates). The table shows returns on a before-tax and after-tax basis. After-tax returns are estimates calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown in the table. After-tax returns shown are not relevant for investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. DWS Large Company Growth Fund Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31 each year -- Institutional Class THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT CONTAINS A BAR CHART HERE BAR CHART DATA: 2001 -22.48 2002 -29.55 2003 25.19 2004 4.65 2005 8.40 2006 Total Return as of September 30: 2.20% For the periods included in the bar chart: Best Quarter: 10.64%, Q4 2001 Worst Quarter: -21.18%, Q1 2001 7 Average Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31/2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Year 5 Years Since Inception* - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return before Taxes 8.40 -4.96 -4.96 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after Taxes on 8.28 -4.98 -4.98 Distributions - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after Taxes on 5.62 -4.14** -4.14** Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Index (reflects no deductions 5.26 -3.58 -3.58 for fees, expenses or taxes) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Index: Russell 1000(R) Growth Index consists of those stocks in the Russell 1000 Index that have a greater-than-average growth orientation. Total returns would have been lower if operating expenses hadn't been reduced. * Since 12/29/2000. Index comparison begins 12/31/2000. ** Return after Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares is higher than other return figures for the same period due to a capital loss occurring upon redemption resulting in an assumed tax deduction for the shareholder. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted above. For more recent performance information, call your financial advisor or (800) 730-1313 or visit our Web site at www.dws-scudder.com. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Return after Taxes on Distributions assumes that an investor holds fund shares at the end of the period. The number only represents the fund's taxable distributions, not a shareholder's gain or loss from selling fund shares. The Return after Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares assumes that an investor sold his or her fund shares at the end of the period. The number reflects both the fund's taxable distributions and a shareholder's gain or loss from selling fund shares. 8 How Much Investors Pay This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Class shares of the fund. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fee Table - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholder Fees, paid directly from your investment - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption/Exchange fee on shares owned less than 2.00% 15 days (as % of amount redeemed, if applicable)(1) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Operating Expenses, deducted from fund assets - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fee(2) 0.71% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution (12b-1) Fee None - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Expenses(3) 0.09 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.80 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) This fee is charged on applicable redemptions or exchanges. Please see "Policies You Should Know About -- Policies about transactions" for further information. (2) Restated on an annualized basis to reflect fee changes which took effect on June 1, 2006. Includes 0.10% administrative fee. (3) Restated on an annualized basis to reflect fee changes which took effect on June 1, 2006. Based on the costs above, this example helps you compare the expenses of the share class to those of other mutual funds. This example assumes the expenses above remain the same. It also assumes that you invested $10,000, earned 5% annual returns and reinvested all dividends and distributions. This is only an example; actual expenses will be different. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Example 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class $82 $255 $444 $990 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Other Policies and Secondary Risks While the sections on the previous pages describe the main points of the fund's strategy and risks, there are a few other issues to know about. Other policies o Although major changes tend to be infrequent, the fund's Board could change the fund's investment goal without seeking shareholder approval. In addition, the Board will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to making any changes to the fund's 80% investment policy, as described herein. o As a temporary defensive measure, the fund could shift up to 100% of assets into investments such as money market securities. This could prevent losses, but, while engaged in a temporary defensive position, the fund will not be pursuing its investment objective. However, the portfolio managers may choose not to use these strategies for various reasons, even in very volatile market conditions. o The fund's equity investments are mainly common stocks, but may also include other types of equities such as preferred or convertible securities. o The fund may trade securities actively. This could raise transaction costs (thus lowering return) and could mean higher taxable distributions. Secondary risks Derivatives Risk. Although not one of its principal investment strategies, the fund may invest in certain types of derivatives. Risks associated with derivatives include: the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives used for risk management may not have the intended effects and may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; and the risk that the derivatives transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses. There is no guarantee that derivatives' activities will be employed or that they will work, and their use could cause lower returns or even losses to the fund. 10 Pricing Risk. At times, market conditions might make it hard to value some investments. For example, if the fund has valued its securities too highly, you may end up paying too much for fund shares when you buy into the fund. If the fund underestimates its price, you may not receive the full market value for your fund shares when you sell. IPO Risk. Securities purchased in initial public offerings (IPOs) may be very volatile, rising and falling rapidly, often based, among other reasons, on investor perceptions rather than on economic factors. Additionally, investments in IPOs may magnify the fund's performance if it has a small asset base. The fund is less likely to experience a similar impact on its performance as its assets grow because it is unlikely that the fund will be able to obtain proportionately larger IPO allocations. Securities Lending Risk. Any loss in the market price of securities loaned by the fund that occurs during the term of the loan would be borne by the fund and would adversely affect a fund's performance. Also, there may be delays in recovery of securities loaned or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while the loan is outstanding. However, loans will be made only to borrowers selected by the fund's delegate after a review of relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. For more information This prospectus doesn't tell you about every policy or risk of investing in the fund. If you want more information on the fund's allowable securities and investment practices and the characteristics and risks of each one, you may want to request a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (the back cover tells you how to do this). Keep in mind that there is no assurance that any mutual fund will achieve its goal. 11 A complete list of the fund's portfolio holdings is posted on www.dws-scudder.com as of the month-end on or after the last day of the following month. This posted information generally remains accessible at least until the date on which the fund files its Form N-CSR or N-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the period that includes the date as of which the posted information is current. In addition, the fund's top ten holdings and other information about the fund is posted on www.dws-scudder.com as of the calendar quarter-end on or after the 15th day following quarter-end. The fund's Statement of Additional Information includes a description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the fund's portfolio holdings. Who Manages and Oversees the Fund The investment advisor Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DeIM" or the "Advisor"), which is part of Deutsche Asset Management, is the investment advisor for the fund. Under the supervision of the fund's Board of Trustees, DeIM, with headquarters at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, makes the fund's investment decisions, buys and sells securities for the fund and conducts research that leads to these purchase and sale decisions. DeIM and its predecessors have more than 80 years of experience managing mutual funds. DeIM provides a full range of investment advisory services to institutional and retail clients. DeIM is also responsible for selecting brokers and dealers and for negotiating brokerage commissions and dealer charges. DWS Scudder is part of Deutsche Asset Management, which is the marketing name in the US for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, DeIM, Deutsche Asset Management, Inc., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and DWS Trust Company. 12 Deutsche Asset Management is a global asset management organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts and an office network that reaches the world's major investment centers. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles. DeIM is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services, including investment management, mutual fund, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance. DeIM receives a management fee from the fund. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006, DeIM received an annual fee of 0.69% of the fund's average daily net assets. On May 5, 2006, shareholders of the fund approved an amended and restated investment management agreement (the "Investment Management Agreement") with the Advisor. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Advisor provides continuing investment management of the assets of the fund. Effective June 1, 2006, the fund pays the Advisor under the Investment Management Agreement a fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.615% of the fund's average daily net assets up to $1.5 billion, 0.565% of the next $500 million and 0.515% thereafter. In addition, under a separate administrative services agreement between the fund and the Advisor, the fund pays the Advisor for providing most of the fund's administrative services. The fund's shareholder report for the semiannual period ended January 31, 2006 contains a discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' renewal of the investment management agreement (see "Shareholder reports" on the back cover). 13 The portfolio managers The fund is managed by a team of investment professionals who collaborate to develop and implement the fund's investment strategy. Each portfolio manager on the team has authority over all aspects of the fund's investment portfolio, including but not limited to, purchases and sales of individual securities, portfolio construction techniques, portfolio risk assessment, and the management of daily cash flows in accordance with portfolio holdings. The following people handle the day-to-day management of the fund. Julie M. Van Cleave, CFA Jack A. Zehner Managing Director of Deutsche Asset Director of Deutsche Asset Management and Lead Portfolio Manager Management and Portfolio Manager of of the fund. the fund. o Joined Deutsche Asset Management o Joined Deutsche Asset Management and the fund in 2002. and the fund in 2002. o Head of Large Cap Growth. o Previous experience includes o Previous experience includes nine years of investment 19 years of investment industry industry experience at Mason experience at Mason Street Street Advisors where he Advisors, most recently serving served most recently as Director as Managing Director and -- Common Stock. team leader for the large cap o MBA, Marquette University. investment team. o MBA, University of Wisconsin -- Thomas J. Schmid, CFA Madison. Director of Deutsche Asset Management and Portfolio Manager of the fund. o Joined Deutsche Asset Management and the fund in 2002. o Previous experience includes 17 years of investment industry experience, most recently serving as Director -- Common Stock at Mason Street Advisors. o MBA, University of Chicago. The fund's Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio managers' investments in the fund, a description of their compensation structure and information regarding other accounts they manage. 14 Market timing related regulatory and litigation matters Since at least July 2003, federal, state and industry regulators have been conducting ongoing inquiries and investigations ("inquiries") into the mutual fund industry, and have requested information from numerous mutual fund companies, including DWS Scudder. The DWS funds' advisors have been cooperating in connection with these inquiries and are in discussions with the regulators concerning proposed settlements. Publicity about mutual fund practices arising from these industrywide inquiries serves as the general basis of a number of private lawsuits against the DWS funds. These lawsuits, which previously have been reported in the press, involve purported class action and derivative lawsuits, making various allegations and naming as defendants various persons, including certain DWS funds, the funds' investment advisors and their affiliates, and certain individuals, including in some cases fund Trustees/Directors, officers, and other parties. Each DWS fund's investment advisor has agreed to indemnify the applicable DWS funds in connection with these lawsuits, or other lawsuits or regulatory actions that may be filed making allegations similar to these lawsuits regarding market timing, revenue sharing, fund valuation or other subjects arising from or related to the pending inquiries. It is not possible to determine with certainty what the outcome of these inquiries will be or what the effect, if any, would be on the funds or their advisors. With respect to the lawsuits, based on currently available information, the funds' investment advisors believe the likelihood that the pending lawsuits will have a material adverse financial impact on a DWS fund is remote and such actions are not likely to materially affect their ability to perform under their investment management agreements with the DWS funds. With respect to the regulatory matters, Deutsche Asset Management ("DeAM") has advised the funds as follows: DeAM expects to reach final agreements with regulators in 2006 regarding allegations of improper trading in the DWS funds. DeAM expects that it will reach settlement agreements with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Attorney General and the Illinois Secretary of State providing for payment of disgorgement, penalties, and investor education contributions totaling approximately 15 $134 million. Approximately $127 million of this amount would be distributed to shareholders of the affected DWS funds in accordance with a distribution plan to be developed by an independent distribution consultant. DeAM does not believe that any of the DWS funds will be named as respondents or defendants in any proceedings. The funds' investment advisors do not believe these amounts will have a material adverse financial impact on them or materially affect their ability to perform under their investment management agreements with the DWS funds. The above-described amounts are not material to Deutsche Bank, and they have already been reserved. Based on the settlement discussions thus far, DeAM believes that it will be able to reach a settlement with the regulators on a basis that is generally consistent with settlements reached by other advisors, taking into account the particular facts and circumstances of market timing at DeAM and at the legacy Scudder and Kemper organizations prior to their acquisition by DeAM in April 2002. Among the terms of the expected settled orders, DeAM would be subject to certain undertakings regarding the conduct of its business in the future, including maintaining existing management fee reductions for certain funds for a period of five years. DeAM expects that these settlements would resolve regulatory allegations that it violated certain provisions of federal and state securities laws (i) by entering into trading arrangements that permitted certain investors to engage in market timing in certain DWS funds and (ii) by failing more generally to take adequate measures to prevent market timing in the DWS funds, primarily during the 1999-2001 period. With respect to the trading arrangements, DeAM expects that the settlement documents will include allegations related to one legacy DeAM arrangement, as well as three legacy Scudder and six legacy Kemper arrangements. All of these trading arrangements originated in businesses that existed prior to the current DeAM organization, which came together in April 2002 as a result of the various mergers of the legacy Scudder, Kemper and Deutsche fund groups, and all of the arrangements were terminated prior to the start of the regulatory investigations that began in the summer of 2003. No current DeAM employee approved the trading arrangements. 16 There is no certainty that the final settlement documents will contain the foregoing terms and conditions. The independent Trustees/Directors of the DWS funds have carefully monitored these regulatory investigations with the assistance of independent legal counsel and independent economic consultants. Additional information announced by DeAM regarding the terms of the expected settlements will be made available at www.dws-scudder.com/regulatory_settlements, which will also disclose the terms of any final settlement agreements once they are announced. Other regulatory matters On September 28, 2006, the SEC and the National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") announced final agreements in which Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DeIM"), Deutsche Asset Management, Inc. ("DeAM, Inc.") and Scudder Distributors, Inc. ("SDI") (now known as DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc.) settled administrative proceedings regarding disclosure of brokerage allocation practices in connection with sales of the Scudder Funds' (now known as the DWS Scudder Funds) shares during 2001-2003. The agreements with the SEC and NASD are reflected in orders which state, among other things, that DeIM and DeAM, Inc. failed to disclose potential conflicts of interest to the fund Boards and to shareholders relating to SDI's use of certain funds' brokerage commissions to reduce revenue sharing costs to broker-dealer firms with whom it had arrangements to market and distribute Scudder Fund shares. These directed brokerage practices were discontinued in October 2003. Under the terms of the settlements, in which DeIM, DeAM, Inc. and SDI neither admitted nor denied any of the regulators' findings, DeIM, DeAM, Inc. and SDI agreed to pay disgorgement, prejudgment interest and civil penalties in the total amount of $19.3 million. The portion of the settlements distributed to the funds was approximately $17.8 million and was paid to the funds as prescribed by the settlement orders based upon the amount of brokerage commissions from each fund used to satisfy revenue sharing agreements with broker-dealers who sold fund shares. 17 As part of the settlements, DeIM, DeAM, Inc. and SDI also agreed to implement certain measures and undertakings relating to revenue sharing payments including making additional disclosures in the fund Prospectuses or Statements of Additional Information, adopting or modifying relevant policies and procedures and providing regular reporting to the fund Boards. SDI has also offered to settle with the NASD regarding SDI's provision of non-cash compensation to associated persons of NASD member firms and related policies. In the offer, SDI consents to the imposition of a censure by the NASD and a fine of $425,000. The NASD has not yet accepted SDI's offer. Additional information announced by DeAM regarding the terms of the expected settlements will be made available at www.dws-scudder.com/regulatory_settlements, which will also disclose the terms of any final settlement agreements once they are announced. 18 Financial Highlights This table is designed to help you understand the fund's Institutional Class shares' financial performance in recent years. The figures in the first part of each table are for a single share. The total return figures represent the percentage that an investor in the fund would have earned (or lost), assuming all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the fund's annual report (see "Shareholder reports" on the back cover). DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Institutional Class
Years Ended July 31, 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Selected Per Share Data - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $24.86 $21.88 $20.56 $18.77 $27.23 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss)(a) .03 .15 .01 .02 (.01) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions .26 2.83 1.31 1.77 (8.45) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total from investment operations .29 2.98 1.32 1.79 (8.46) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less distributions from: Net investment income (.19) -- -- -- -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees .00* .00* -- -- -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $24.96 $24.86 $21.88 $20.56 $18.77 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Return (%) 1.12(b) 13.62 6.42 9.54 (31.07) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets, end of period ($ millions) 19 37 20 20 .003 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%) .99 .84 .85 .81 .81 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%) .96 .84 .85 .81 .81 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%) .13 .65 .06 .10 (.10) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portfolio turnover rate (%) 16 20 21 31 48 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Based on average shares outstanding during the period. (b) Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. * Amount is less than $.005. 19 How to Invest in the Fund The following pages tell you about many of the services, choices and benefits of being a shareholder. You'll also find information on how to check the status of your account using the method that's most convenient for you. You can find out more about the topics covered here by speaking with your financial advisor or a representative of your workplace retirement plan or other investment provider. Buying and Selling Institutional Class Shares You may buy Institutional Class shares through your securities dealer or through any financial institution that is authorized to act as a shareholder servicing agent ("financial advisor"). Contact them for details on how to enter and pay for your order. The fund's advisor, administrator or their affiliates may provide compensation to financial advisors for distribution, administrative and promotional services. You may also buy Institutional Class shares by sending your check (along with a completed Application Form) directly to DWS Scudder Investments Service Company (the "transfer agent"). Your purchase order may not be accepted if the fund withdraws the offering of fund shares, the sale of fund shares has been suspended or if it is determined that your purchase would be detrimental to the interests of the fund's shareholders. Eligibility requirements You may buy Institutional Class shares if you are any of the following: o An eligible institution (e.g., a financial institution, corporation, trust, estate or educational, religious or charitable institution). o An employee benefit plan with assets of at least $50 million. o A registered investment advisor or financial planner purchasing on behalf of clients and charging an asset-based or hourly fee. o A client of the private banking division of Deutsche Bank AG. o A current or former director or trustee of the Deutsche or DWS mutual funds. o An employee, the employee's spouse or life partner and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger of Deutsche Bank or its affiliates or a subadvisor to any fund in the DWS family of funds or a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares in the funds. 21 Investment minimums Your initial investment must be at least $1,000,000. There are no minimum subsequent investment requirements. The minimum initial investment is waived for: o Shareholders with existing accounts prior to August 13, 2004 who met the previous minimum investment eligibility requirement. o Investment advisory affiliates of Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. or DWS or Deutsche funds purchasing shares for the accounts of their investment advisory clients. o Employee benefit plans with assets of at least $50 million. o Clients of the private banking division of Deutsche Bank AG. o Institutional clients and qualified purchasers that are clients of a division of Deutsche Bank AG. o A current or former director or trustee of the Deutsche or DWS mutual funds. o An employee, the employee's spouse or life partner and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger of Deutsche Bank or its affiliates or a subadvisor to any fund in the DWS family of funds or a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares of the funds. The fund and its service providers reserve the right to waive or modify the above eligibility requirements and investment minimums from time to time at their discretion. How to contact the transfer agent ====================================================================== By Phone: (800) 730-1313 ====================================================================== First Investments Deutsche Asset Management, c/o DWS Scudder By Mail: P.O. Box 219151 Kansas City, MO 64121-9151 ====================================================================== Additional Deutsche Asset Management, c/o DWS Scudder Investments P.O. Box 219154 By Mail: Kansas City, MO 64121-9154 ====================================================================== By Overnight Mail: DWS Scudder Investments Service Company 210 W. 10th Street Kansas City, MO 64105-1614 ====================================================================== You can reach the automated information line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling (800) 621-1048. 22 How to open your fund account ====================================================================== MAIL: Complete and sign the account application that accompanies this prospectus. (You may obtain additional applications by calling the transfer agent.) Mail the completed application along with a check payable to the fund to the transfer agent. Be sure to include the fund number. (For fund number see below.) The addresses are shown under "How to contact the transfer agent." ====================================================================== WIRE: Call the transfer agent to set up a wire account. ====================================================================== FUND NAME AND DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Institutional FUND NUMBER: Class -- 1469. ====================================================================== Please note that your account cannot become activated until we receive a completed application. How to buy and sell shares MAIL: Buying: Send your check, payable to the fund, to the transfer agent. The addresses are shown above under "How to contact the transfer agent." Be sure to include the fund number and your account number (see your account statement) on your check. If you are investing in more than one fund, make your check payable to "DWS Scudder" and include your account number, the names and numbers of the funds you have selected, and the dollar amount or percentage you would like invested in each fund. Selling: Send a signed letter to the transfer agent with your name, your fund number and account number, the fund's name, and either the number of shares you wish to sell or the dollar amount you wish to receive. Unless exchanging into another DWS fund, you must submit a written authorization to sell shares in a retirement account. 23 WIRE: Buying: You may buy shares by wire only if your account is authorized to do so. Please note that you or your financial advisor must call Shareholder Services at (800) 730-1313 to notify us in advance of a wire transfer purchase. Inform Shareholder Services of the amount of your purchase and receive a trade confirmation number. Instruct your bank to send payment by wire using the wire instructions noted below. All wires must be received by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) the next business day following your purchase. ====================================================================== Bank Name: State Street Kansas City ====================================================================== Routing No: 101003621 ====================================================================== Attn: DWS Scudder ====================================================================== DDA No: 751-069-01 ====================================================================== FBO: (Account name) (Account number) ====================================================================== Credit DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Institutional Class -- 1469. ====================================================================== Refer to your account statement for the account name and number. Wire transfers normally take two or more hours to complete. Wire transfers may be restricted on holidays and at certain other times. If your wire is not received by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the next business day after the fund receives your request to purchase shares, your transaction will be canceled at your expense and risk. Selling: You may sell shares by wire only if your account is authorized to do so. You will be paid for redeemed shares by wire transfer of funds to your financial advisor or bank upon receipt of a duly authorized redemption request as promptly as feasible. For your protection, you may not change the destination bank account over the phone. To sell by wire, contact your financial advisor or Shareholder Services at (800) 730-1313. Inform Shareholder Services of the amount of your redemption and receive a trade confirmation number. The minimum redemption by wire is $1,000. The fund and its service providers reserve the right to waive the minimum from time to time at their discretion. We must receive your order by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) to wire your account the next business day. 24 TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS: You may place orders to buy and sell over the phone by calling your financial advisor or Shareholder Services at (800) 730-1313. If your shares are in an account with the transfer agent, you may (1) redeem by check in an amount up to $100,000, or by wire (minimum $1,000), or (2) exchange the shares for Institutional Class shares of another DWS fund by calling Shareholder Services. You may make regular investments from a bank checking account. For more information on setting up an automatic investment plan or payroll investment plan, call Shareholder Services at (800) 730-1313. Financial intermediary support payments The fund's investment advisor (the "Advisor"), DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") and/or their affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their own assets and not as an additional charge to the fund, to selected affiliated and unaffiliated brokers, dealers, participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries ("financial advisors") in connection with the sale and/or distribution of fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of fund investors and fund shares ("revenue sharing"). Such revenue sharing payments are in addition to any distribution or service fees payable under any Rule 12b-1 or service plan of any fund, any record keeping/sub-transfer agency fees payable by the fund (generally by reimbursement to the Distributor or an affiliate) to certain financial advisors for performing such services and any sales charges, commissions, non-cash compensation arrangements expressly permitted under applicable rules of the NASD or other concessions described in the fee table or elsewhere in this prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI") as payable to all financial advisors. For example, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may compensate financial advisors for administrative, sub-accounting, or shareholder processing services and/or for providing the fund with "shelf space" or access to a third party platform or fund offering list, or other marketing programs including, without limitation, inclusion of the fund on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund "supermarket" platforms and other formal sales programs; granting the Distributor access to the financial advisor's sales force; granting the Distributor access to the financial 25 advisor's conferences and meetings; assistance in training and educating the financial advisor's personnel; and, obtaining other forms of marketing support. The level of revenue sharing payments made to financial advisors may be a fixed fee or based upon one or more of the following factors: gross sales, current assets and/or number of accounts of the fund attributable to the financial advisor, the particular fund or fund type or other measures as agreed to by the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates and the financial advisors or any combination thereof. The amount of these revenue sharing payments is determined at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different financial advisors based on, for example, the nature of the services provided by the financial advisor. The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates currently make revenue sharing payments from their own assets in connection with the sale and/or distribution of DWS Fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of investors and DWS Fund shares to financial advisors in amounts that generally range from 0.01% up to 0.50% of assets of the fund serviced and maintained by the financial advisor, 0.05% to 0.40% of sales of the fund attributable to the financial advisor, a flat fee of $12,500 up to $500,000, or any combination thereof. These amounts are subject to change at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates. Receipt of, or the prospect of receiving, this additional compensation, may influence your financial advisor's recommendation of the fund or of any particular share class of the fund. You should review your financial advisor's compensation disclosure and/or talk to your financial advisor to obtain more information on how this compensation may have influenced your financial advisor's recommendation of the fund. Additional information regarding these revenue sharing payments is included in the fund's SAI, which is available to you on request at no charge (see the back cover of this prospectus for more information on how to request a copy of the SAI). 26 The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may also make such revenue sharing payments to financial advisors under the terms discussed above in connection with the distribution of both DWS funds and non-DWS funds by financial advisors to retirement plans that obtain record keeping services from ADP, Inc. on the DWS Scudder branded retirement plan platform (the "Platform") with the level of revenue sharing payments being based upon sales of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds by the financial advisor on the Platform or current assets of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds serviced and maintained by the financial advisor on the Platform. It is likely that broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions for the fund will include firms that also sell shares of the DWS funds to their customers. However, the Advisor will not consider sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the DWS funds. Accordingly, the Advisor has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent its traders from considering sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the fund. In addition, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates will not use fund brokerage to pay for their obligation to provide additional compensation to financial advisors as described above. 27 Policies You Should Know About Along with the instructions on the previous pages, the policies below may affect you as a shareholder. Some of this information, such as the section on distributions and taxes, applies to all investors, including those investing through financial advisors. If you are investing through a financial advisor or through a retirement plan, check the materials you received from them about how to buy and sell shares because particular financial advisors or other intermediaries may adopt policies, procedures or limitations that are separate from those described by the fund. Please note that a financial advisor may charge fees separate from those charged by the fund. Keep in mind that the information in this prospectus applies only to the fund's Institutional Class. The fund has other share classes, which are described in separate prospectuses and have different fees, requirements and services. In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact your financial advisor or call (800) 730-1313. Policies about transactions The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. The fund calculates its share price every business day, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, but sometimes earlier, as in the case of scheduled half-day trading or unscheduled suspensions of trading). You can place an order to buy or sell shares at any time. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. The DWS Scudder Web site can be a valuable resource for shareholders with Internet access. Go to www.dws-scudder.com to get up-to-date information, review balances or even place orders for exchanges. 28 To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means to you: when you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow us to identify you. Some or all of this information will be used to verify the identity of all persons opening an account. We might request additional information about you (which may include certain documents, such as articles of incorporation for companies) to help us verify your identity, and in some cases the information and/or documents may be required to conduct the verification. The information and documents will be used solely to verify your identity. We will attempt to collect any missing required and requested information by contacting you or your financial advisor. If we are unable to obtain this information within the time frames established by the fund, then we may reject your application and order. The fund will not invest your purchase until all required and requested identification information has been provided and your application has been submitted in "good order." After we receive all the information, your application is deemed to be in good order and we accept your purchase, you will receive the net asset value per share next calculated. If we are unable to verify your identity within time frames established by the fund, after a reasonable effort to do so, you will receive written notification. The fund generally will not accept new account applications to establish an account with a non-US address (APO/FPO and US territories are acceptable) or for a non-resident alien. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. If you ever have difficulty placing an order by phone or Internet, you can send us your order in writing. 29 Because orders placed through a financial advisor must be forwarded to the transfer agent before they can be processed, you'll need to allow extra time. A representative of your financial advisor should be able to tell you approximately when your order will be processed. It is the responsibility of your financial advisor to forward your order to the transfer agent in a timely manner. Market Timing Policies and Procedures. Short-term and excessive trading of fund shares may present risks to the fund's long-term shareholders, including potential dilution in the value of fund shares, interference with the efficient management of the fund's portfolios (including losses on the sale of investments), taxable gains to remaining shareholders and increased brokerage and administrative costs. These risks may be more pronounced for funds investing in certain securities such as those that trade in foreign markets, are illiquid or do not otherwise have "readily available market quotations." Certain investors may seek to employ short-term trading strategies aimed at exploiting variations in portfolio valuation that arise from the nature of the securities held by the fund (e.g., "time zone arbitrage"). The fund discourages short-term and excessive trading. The fund will take steps to detect and deter short-term and excessive trading pursuant to the fund's policies as described in this prospectus and approved by the Board. The fund generally defines short-term trading as purchase and redemption activity, including exchanges, that occurs within the time period for imposition of redemption fees. The fund may also take trading activity that occurs over longer periods into account if the fund reasonably believes such activity is of an amount or frequency that may be harmful to long-term shareholders or disruptive to portfolio management. 30 The fund's policies include: o a 2% redemption fee on fund shares held for less than a specified holding period (subject to certain exceptions discussed below under "Redemption fees"); o the fund reserves the right to reject or cancel a purchase or exchange order for any reason when, in the opinion of the advisor, there appears to be a pattern of short-term or excessive trading activity by a shareholder or any other trading activity deemed harmful or disruptive to the funds; and o the fund has adopted certain fair valuation practices intended to protect the fund from "time zone arbitrage" with respect to its foreign securities holdings and other trading practices that seek to exploit variations in portfolio valuation that arise from the nature of the securities held by a fund. (See "How the fund calculates share price.") When a pattern of short-term or excessive trading activity or other trading activity deemed harmful or disruptive to the funds by an investor is detected, the advisor may determine to prohibit that investor from future purchases in the fund or to limit or terminate the investor's exchange privilege. The detection of these patterns and the banning of further trading are inherently subjective and therefore involve some selectivity in their application. The advisor seeks to make such determinations in a manner consistent with the interests of the fund's long-term shareholders. There is no assurance that these policies and procedures will be effective in limiting short-term and excessive trading in all cases. For example, the advisor may not be able to effectively monitor, detect or limit short-term or excessive trading by underlying shareholders that occurs through omnibus accounts maintained by broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. Depending on the amount of fund shares held in such omnibus accounts (which may represent most of the fund's shares) short-term and/or excessive trading of fund shares could adversely affect long-term shareholders in the fund. It is important to note that shareholders that invest through omnibus accounts also may be subject to the policies and procedures of their financial intermediaries with respect to short-term and excessive trading in the fund. 31 The fund's policies and procedures may be modified or terminated at any time. Redemption fees. The fund imposes a redemption fee of 2% of the total redemption amount (calculated at net asset value) on all fund shares redeemed or exchanged within 15 days of buying them (either by purchase or exchange). The redemption fee is paid directly to the fund, and is designed to encourage long-term investment and to offset transaction and other costs associated with short-term or excessive trading. For purposes of determining whether the redemption fee applies, shares held the longest time will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held the shortest time will be treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee is applicable to fund shares purchased either directly or through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer. Transactions through financial intermediaries typically are placed with the fund on an omnibus basis and include both purchase and sale transactions placed on behalf of multiple investors. These purchase and sale transactions are generally netted against one another and placed on an aggregate basis; consequently the identities of the individuals on whose behalf the transactions are placed generally are not known to the fund. For this reason, the fund has undertaken to notify financial intermediaries of their obligation to assess the redemption fee on customer accounts and to collect and remit the proceeds to the fund. However, due to operational requirements, the intermediaries' methods for tracking and calculating the fee may be inadequate or differ in some respects from the fund's. Subject to approval by DeAM or the fund's Board, intermediaries who transact business on an omnibus basis may implement the redemption fees according to their own operational guidelines (which may be different than the fund's policies) and remit the fees to the fund. In addition, certain intermediaries that do not currently have the capacity to collect redemption fees at an account level may be granted a temporary waiver from the fund's policies until such time as they can develop and implement a system to collect the redemption fees. 32 The redemption fee will not be charged in connection with the following exchange or redemption transactions: (i) transactions on behalf of participants in certain research wrap programs; (ii) transactions on behalf of participants in certain group retirement plans and financial intermediaries whose processing systems are incapable of properly applying the redemption fee to underlying shareholders; (iii) transactions on behalf of a shareholder to return any excess IRA contributions to the shareholder; (iv) transactions on behalf of a shareholder to effect a required minimum distribution on an IRA; (v) transactions on behalf of any mutual fund advised by the fund's investment advisor and its affiliates (e.g., "funds of funds") or, in the case of a master/feeder relationship, redemptions by the feeder fund from the master portfolio; (vi) transactions on behalf of certain unaffiliated mutual funds operating as funds of funds; (vii) transactions following death or disability of any registered shareholder, beneficial owner or grantor of a living trust with respect to shares purchased before death or disability; (viii) transactions involving hardship of any registered shareholder; (ix) systematic transactions with predefined trade dates for purchases, exchanges or redemptions, such as automatic account rebalancing, or loan origination and repayments; (x) transactions involving shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions; (xi) transactions involving shares transferred from another account in the same fund or converted from another class of the same fund (e.g., shares converting from Class B to Class A) (the redemption fee period will carry over to the acquired shares); (xii) transactions initiated by the fund or administrator (e.g., redemptions for not meeting account minimums, to pay account fees funded by share redemptions, or in the event of the liquidation or merger of the fund); (xiii) transactions in cases when there are legal or contractual limitations or restrictions on the imposition of the redemption fee (as determined by the fund or its agents in their sole discretion); or (xiv) for DWS Massachusetts Tax-Free Fund, DWS Short Term Bond Fund and DWS Intermediate Tax/AMT Free Fund only: checkwriting transactions in these funds. 33 The fund expects that the waiver for certain group retirement plans and financial intermediaries will be eliminated over time as their respective operating systems are improved. Until such time that these operating systems are improved, the fund's investment advisor will attempt to monitor the trading activity in these accounts and will take appropriate corrective action if it appears that a pattern of short-term or excessive trading or other harmful or disruptive trading by underlying shareholders exists. The fund reserves the right to withdraw waivers, and to modify or terminate these waivers or the redemption fee at any time. Automated phone information is available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 621-1048. You can use our automated phone services to get information on DWS funds generally and on accounts held directly at DWS Scudder. You can also use this service to make exchanges and sell shares. QuickBuy and QuickSell let you set up a link between a DWS fund account and a bank account. Once this link is in place, you can move money between the two with a phone call. You'll need to make sure your bank has Automated Clearing House (ACH) services. Transactions take two to three days to be completed and there is a $50 minimum and $250,000 maximum. To set up QuickBuy or QuickSell on a new account, see the account application; to add it to an existing account, call (800) 730-1313. Telephone and electronic transactions. Generally, you are automatically entitled to telephone and electronic transaction privileges, but you may elect not to have them when you open your account or by contacting Shareholder Services at (800) 730-1313 at a later date. 34 Since many transactions may be initiated by telephone or electronically, it's important to understand that as long as we take reasonable steps to ensure that an order to purchase or redeem shares is genuine, such as recording calls or requesting personalized security codes or other information, we are not responsible for any losses that may occur as a result. For transactions conducted over the Internet, we recommend the use of a secure Internet browser. In addition, you should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them. If you pay for shares by check and the check fails to clear, or if you order shares by phone and fail to pay for them by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) the next business day, we have the right to cancel your order, hold you liable or charge you or your account for any losses or fees a fund or its agents have incurred. To sell shares, you must state whether you would like to receive the proceeds by wire or check. The fund accepts payment for shares only in US dollars by check, bank or Federal Funds wire transfer, or by electronic bank transfer. Please note that the fund cannot accept cash, traveler's checks, starter checks, money orders, third party checks, checks drawn on foreign banks or checks issued by credit card companies or Internet-based companies. When you ask us to send or receive a wire, please note that while we don't charge a fee to send or receive wires, it's possible that your bank may do so. Wire transactions are generally completed within 24 hours. The fund can only send wires of $1,000 or more and accept wires of $50 or more. We do not issue share certificates. However, if you currently have shares in certificated form, you must include the share certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock power when exchanging or redeeming shares. You may not exchange or redeem shares in certificate form by telephone or via the Internet. 35 When you want to sell more than $100,000 worth of shares or send proceeds to a third party or to a new address, you'll usually need to place your order in writing and include a signature guarantee. However, if you want money wired to a bank account that is already on file with us, you don't need a signature guarantee. Also, you generally don't need a signature guarantee for an exchange, although we may require one in certain other circumstances. A signature guarantee is simply a certification of your signature -- a valuable safeguard against fraud. You can get a signature guarantee from an eligible guarantor institution, including commercial banks, savings and loans, trust companies, credit unions, member firms of a national stock exchange, or any member or participant of an approved signature guarantor program. Note that you can't get a signature guarantee from a notary public and we must be provided with the original guarantee. Selling shares of trust accounts and business or organization accounts may require additional documentation. Please contact your financial advisor for more information. Money from shares you sell is normally sent out within one business day of when your order is processed (not when it is received), although it could be delayed for up to seven days. There are other circumstances when it could be longer: when you are selling shares you bought recently by check and that check hasn't cleared yet (maximum delay: 10 days) or when unusual circumstances prompt the SEC to allow further delays. Certain expedited redemption processes may also be delayed when you are selling recently purchased shares or in the event of closing of the Federal Reserve Bank's wire payment system. For additional circumstances where redemption proceeds could be delayed, please see "Other rights we reserve." You may obtain additional information about other ways to sell your shares by contacting your financial advisor. Account Statements: We or your service agent will generally furnish you with a written confirmation of every transaction that affects your account balance. You will also receive periodic statements reflecting the balances in your account. 36 How the fund calculates share price To calculate net asset value per share, or NAV, the share class uses the following equation: TOTAL ASSETS - TOTAL LIABILITIES -------------------------------------------- = NAV TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING The price at which you buy and sell shares is the NAV. The fund charges a short-term redemption fee equal to 2.00% of the value of shares redeemed or exchanged within 15 days of buying them. Please see "Policies about transactions -- Redemption fees" for further information. We typically value securities using information furnished by an independent pricing service or market quotations, where appropriate. Generally, we may use methods approved by the fund's Board, such as a fair valuation model, which are intended to reflect fair value when pricing service information or market quotations are not readily available or when a security's value or a meaningful portion of the value of the fund's portfolio is believed to have been materially affected by a significant event, such as a natural disaster, an economic event like a bankruptcy filing, or a substantial fluctuation in domestic or foreign markets, that has occurred between the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market) and the close of the New York Stock Exchange. In such a case, the fund's value for a security is likely to be different from the last quoted market price or pricing service information. In addition, due to the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, it is possible that the value determined for a particular asset may be materially different from the value realized upon such asset's sale. It is expected that the greater the percentage of fund assets that is invested in non-US securities, the more extensive will be the fund's use of fair value pricing. This is intended to reduce the fund's exposure to "time zone arbitrage" and other harmful trading practices. (See "Market Timing Policies and Procedures.") 37 To the extent that the fund invests in securities that are traded primarily in foreign markets, the value of its holdings could change at a time when you aren't able to buy or sell fund shares. This is because some foreign markets are open on days or at times when the funds don't price their shares. Other rights we reserve You should be aware that we may do any of the following: o withdraw or suspend the offering of shares at any time o withhold a portion of your distributions as federal income tax if we have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding, or if you fail to provide us with a correct taxpayer ID number and certain certifications or certification that you are exempt from backup withholding o reject a new account application if you don't provide any required or requested identifying information, or for any other reasons o refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order; freeze any account (meaning you will not be able to purchase fund shares in your account); suspend account services; and/or involuntarily redeem your account if we think that the account is being used for fraudulent or illegal purposes; one or more of these actions will be taken when, at our sole discretion, they are deemed to be in the fund's best interest or when the fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority or by applicable law o close and liquidate your account if we are unable to verify your identity or for other reasons; if we decide to close your account, your fund shares will be redeemed at the net asset value per share next calculated after we determine to close your account (less any applicable sales charges or redemption fees); you may recognize gain or loss on the redemption of your fund shares and you may incur a tax liability o close your account on 60 days' notice if it fails to meet the minimum account balance requirement of $1,000,000 ($250,000 for shareholders with existing accounts prior to August 13, 2004) for any reason other than a change in market value 38 o pay you for shares you sell by "redeeming in kind," that is, by giving you marketable securities (which typically will involve brokerage costs for you to liquidate) rather than cash, but which will be taxable to the same extent as a redemption for cash; the fund generally won't make a redemption in kind unless your requests over a 90-day period total more than $250,000 or 1% of the value of the fund's net assets, whichever is less o change, add or withdraw various services, fees and account policies (for example, we may change or terminate the exchange privilege or adjust the fund's investment minimum at any time) o suspend or postpone redemptions as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Generally, those circumstances are when: 1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary weekend or holiday closings; 2) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted; 3) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by a portfolio or the fair determination of the value of a portfolio's net assets not reasonably practicable; or 4) the SEC, by order, permits the suspension of the right of redemption. Redemption payments by wire may also be delayed in the event of a nonroutine closure of the Federal Reserve wire payment system. 39 Understanding Distributions and Taxes The fund intends to distribute to its shareholders virtually all of its net earnings. The fund can earn money in two ways: by receiving interest, dividends or other income from securities it holds and by selling securities for more than it paid for them. (The fund's earnings are separate from any gains or losses stemming from your own purchase and sale of shares.) The fund may not always pay a distribution for a given period. The fund intends to pay dividends and distributions to its shareholders annually in December, and, if necessary, may do so at other times as well. For federal income tax purposes, income and capital gains distributions are generally taxable. Dividends and distributions receiving by retirement plans qualifying for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws generally will not be taxable. Similarly, there generally will be no federal income tax consequences when a qualified retirement plan buys or sells fund shares. You can choose how to receive your dividends and distributions. You can have them all automatically reinvested in fund shares (at NAV), all deposited directly to your bank account or all sent to you by check, have one type reinvested and the other sent to you by check or have them invested in a different fund. Tell us your preference on your application. If you don't indicate a preference, your dividends and distributions will all be reinvested. Dividends and distributions are taxable whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. For retirement plans, reinvestment (at NAV), is the only option. Dividends and distributions received by retirement plans qualifying for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws generally will not be taxable. Buying, selling or exchanging fund shares will usually have tax consequences for you (except in an IRA or other tax-advantaged account). Your sale of shares may result in a capital gain or loss. The gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on how long you owned the shares that were sold. For federal income tax purposes, an exchange is treated the same as a sale. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. Because each shareholder's tax situation is unique, ask your tax professional about the tax consequences of your investments, including any state and local tax consequences. 40 The federal income tax status of the fund's earnings you receive and your own fund transactions generally depends on their type: ==================================================================== Generally taxed at long-term Generally taxed at ordinary capital gain rates: income rates: ==================================================================== Distributions from the fund o gains from the sale of o gains from the sale of securities held by the fund for securities held by the fund more than one year for one year or less o qualified dividend income o all other taxable income ==================================================================== Transactions involving fund shares o gains from selling fund shares o gains from selling fund held for more than one year shares held for one year or less ==================================================================== Any investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. In that case, the fund's yield on those securities would generally be decreased. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the fund. In addition, any investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the fund's recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the fund's distributions. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, distributions to individuals and other noncorporate shareholders of investment income designated by the fund as derived from qualified dividend income are eligible for taxation for federal income purposes at the more favorable long-term capital gain rates. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends from domestic and some foreign corporations. The fund must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the fund's shares for lower tax rates to apply. 41 For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, the maximum federal income tax rate imposed on long-term capital gain imposed on individuals and other noncorporate shareholders has been reduced to 15%. For more information, see the Statement of Additional Information, under "Federal Income Taxes." Your fund will send you detailed federal income tax information every January. These statements tell you the amount and the federal income tax category of any dividends or distributions you received. They also have certain details on your purchases and sales of shares. The federal income tax status of dividends and distributions is the same whether you reinvest them or not. Dividends or distributions declared in the last quarter of a given year are taxed in that year, even though you may not receive the money until the following January. If you invest right before the fund pays a dividend, you'll be getting some of your investment back as a taxable dividend. You can avoid this, if you want, by investing after the fund declares a dividend. In tax-advantaged retirement accounts you don't need to worry about this. Corporations are taxed at the same rates on ordinary income and capital gains, but may be able eligible for a dividends-received deduction for a portion of income dividends they receive from the fund, provided certain holding period and other requirements are met. The above discussion is applicable to shareholders who are US persons. If you are a non-US person, please consult your own tax advisor with respect to the US tax consequences of an investment in the fund. Additional information may be found in the fund's Statement of Additional Information. 42 Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Get More Information Shareholder reports -- These include commentary from the fund's management team about recent market conditions and the effects of the fund's strategies on its performance. They also have detailed performance figures, a list of everything the fund owns, and the fund's financial statements. Shareholders get these reports automatically. Statement of Additional Information (SAI) -- This tells you more about the fund's features and policies, including additional risk information. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this document (meaning that it's legally part of this prospectus). For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other information about the fund, call (800) 730-1313, or contact DWS Scudder at the address listed below. The fund's SAI and shareholder reports are also available through the DWS Scudder Web site at www.dws-scudder.com. These documents and other information about the fund are available from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at www.sec.gov. If you like, you may obtain copies of this information, after paying a copying fee, by e-mailing a request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the SEC at the address listed below. You can also review and copy these documents and other information about the fund, including the fund's SAI, 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. DWS Scudder SEC Distributor - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PO Box 219151 100 F Street, N.E. DWS Scudder Distributors, Kansas City, MO 64121-9151 Washington, D.C. Inc. www.dws-scudder.com 20549-0102 222 South Riverside Plaza (800) 730-1313 www.sec.gov Chicago, IL 60606-5808 (800) SEC-0330 (800) 621-1148 SEC File Number: DWS Large Company Growth Fund 811-43 [DWS SCUDDER Logo] Deutsche Bank Group - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 1, 2006 PROSPECTUS ----------------- CLASS S - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DWS Large Company Growth Fund (formerly Scudder Large Company Growth Fund) As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not approve or disapprove these shares or determine whether the information in this prospectus is truthful or complete. It is a criminal offense for anyone to inform you otherwise. ONE GLOBAL FORCE. ONE FOCCUS. YOU. [DWS SCUDDER LOGO] Deutsche Bank Group Contents How the Fund Works How to Invest in the Fund 4 The Fund's Main Investment 22 How to Buy, Sell and Strategy Exchange Shares 5 The Main Risks of Investing in 26 Policies You Should Know the Fund About 7 The Fund's Performance History 37 Understanding Distributions and Taxes 9 How Much Investors Pay 10 Other Policies and Secondary Risks 13 Who Manages and Oversees the Fund 20 Financial Highlights How the Fund Works On the next few pages, you'll find information about the fund's investment goal, the main strategies it uses to pursue that goal and the main risks that could affect performance. Whether you are considering investing in the fund or are already a shareholder, you'll want to look this information over carefully. You may want to keep it on hand for reference as well. Remember that mutual funds are investments, not bank deposits. They're not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Their share prices will go up and down and you could lose money by investing in them. Class S shares are generally only available to new investors through fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund's distributor and through certain registered investment advisors. These dealers and advisors typically charge ongoing fees for services they provide. You can find DWS prospectuses on the Internet at www.dws-scudder.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus). - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class S ticker symbol SCQGX fund number 060 DWS Large Company Growth Fund (formerly Scudder Large Company Growth Fund) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Fund's Main Investment Strategy The fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in large US companies that are similar in size to the companies in the Russell 1000(R) Growth Index (as of October 31, 2006, the Russell 1000(R) Growth Index had a median market capitalization of $5 billion). The fund intends to invest primarily in companies whose market capitalizations fall within the normal range of the Index. These investments are in equities, mainly common stocks. In managing the fund, the managers use a combination of three analytical disciplines: Top-down analysis. The managers consider the economic outlooks for various sectors and industries while looking for those that may benefit from changes in the overall business environment. Fundamental company research. The managers look for individual companies with a history of above-average growth, strong competitive positioning, attractive prices relative to potential growth, sound financial strength and effective management, among other factors. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER INVESTMENTS The fund is permitted, but not required, to use various types of derivatives (contracts whose value is based on, for example, indexes, currencies or securities). In particular, the fund may use futures, options and covered call options. The fund may use derivatives in circumstances where the managers believe they offer an economical means of gaining exposure to a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions or other needs while maintaining exposure to the market (see "Secondary risks" for more information). 4 Growth orientation. The managers generally look for companies that they believe have above-average potential for sustainable growth of revenue or earnings and whose market value appears reasonable in light of their business prospects. The managers may favor different types of securities from different industries and companies at different times. The managers will normally sell a stock when the managers believe its price is unlikely to go higher, the company's fundamental factors have changed, other investments offer better opportunities or in the course of adjusting the fund's emphasis on a given industry. The fund may lend its investment securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets to approved institutional borrowers who need to borrow securities in order to complete certain transactions. The Main Risks of Investing in the Fund There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund's performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund's performance to trail that of other investments. Stock Market Risk. As with most stock funds, the most important factor with this fund is how stock markets perform -- in this case, large company growth stocks. When large company growth stock prices fall, you should expect the value of your investment to fall as well. Large company growth stocks may be somewhat less volatile than shares of smaller companies, but at times may not perform as well. Because a stock represents ownership in its issuer, stock prices can be hurt by poor management, shrinking product demand and other business risks. These may affect single companies as well as groups of companies. In addition, movements in financial markets may adversely affect a stock's price, regardless of how well the company performs. The market as a whole may not favor the types of investments the fund makes and the fund may not be able to get an attractive price for them. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. This fund is designed for investors with long-term goals who are interested in a fund with a growth-style approach to large-cap investing. 5 Growth Investing Risk. Since growth stocks usually reinvest a large portion of earnings in their own businesses, they may lack the dividends associated with value stocks that might otherwise cushion their decline in a falling market. Earnings disappointments in growth stocks often result in sharp price declines because investors buy these stocks because of their potential for superior earnings growth. Growth stocks may also be out of favor for certain periods in relation to value stocks. Industry Risk. While the fund does not concentrate in any industry, to the extent that the fund has exposure to a given industry or sector, any factors affecting that industry or sector could affect the value of portfolio securities. For example, manufacturers of consumer goods could be hurt by a rise in unemployment, or technology companies could be hurt by such factors as market saturation, price competition and rapid obsolescence. Other factors that could affect performance include: o the managers could be incorrect in their analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, the relative attractiveness of different sizes of stocks, geographical trends or other matters o derivatives could produce disproportionate losses due to a variety of factors, including the unwillingness or inability of the counterparty to meet its obligations or unexpected price or interest rate movements (see "Secondary risks" for more information) 6 The Fund's Performance History While a fund's past performance (before and after taxes) isn't necessarily a sign of how it will do in the future, it can be valuable for an investor to know. The bar chart shows how the performance for the fund's Class S shares has varied from year to year, which may give some idea of risk. The table on the following page shows how fund performance compares with a broad-based market index (which, unlike the fund, does not have any fees or expenses). All figures assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions (in the case of after-tax returns, reinvested net of assumed tax rates). The table shows returns on a before-tax and after-tax basis. After-tax returns are estimates calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown in the table. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. DWS Large Company Growth Fund Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31 each year -- Class S THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT CONTAINS A BAR CHART HERE BAR CHART DATA: 1996 18.22 1997 32.80 1998 33.23 1999 35.05 2000 -19.26 2001 -22.65 2002 -29.68 2003 24.99 2004 4.49 2005 8.18 2006 Total Return as of September 30: 2.09% For the periods included in the bar chart: Best Quarter: 28.07%, Q4 1999 Worst Quarter: -21.23%, Q1 2001 7 Average Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31/2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class S - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return before Taxes 8.18 -5.13 5.77 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after Taxes on Distributions 8.11 -5.14 5.09 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 5.42 -4.29* 4.76 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Index (reflects no deductions for 5.26 -3.58 6.73 fees, expenses or taxes) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Index: Russell 1000(R) Growth Index consists of those stocks in the Russell 1000(R) Index that have a greater-than-average growth orientation. Total returns would have been lower if operating expenses hadn't been reduced. * Return after Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares is higher than other return figures for the same period due to a capital loss occurring upon redemption resulting in an assumed tax deduction for the shareholder. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted above. For more recent performance information, call your financial advisor or 1-800-728-3337 or visit our Web site at www.dws-scudder.com. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Return after Taxes on Distributions assumes that an investor holds fund shares at the end of the period. The number only represents the fund's taxable distributions, not a shareholder's gain or loss from selling fund shares. The Return after Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares assumes that an investor sold his or her fund shares at the end of the period. The number reflects both the fund's taxable distributions and a shareholder's gain or loss from selling fund shares. 8 How Much Investors Pay This fund's Class S shares have no sales charges or other shareholder fees other than a short-term redemption/exchange fee. The fund does have annual operating expenses, and as a shareholder of Class S shares, you pay them indirectly. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fee Table Class S - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholder Fees, paid directly from your investment - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption/Exchange fee on shares owned less than 15 days 2.00% (as% of amount redeemed, if applicable)(1) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Operating Expenses, deducted from fund assets - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fee(2) 0.71% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution (12b-1) Fee None - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Expenses(3) 0.31 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses(4) 1.02 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) This fee is charged on applicable redemptions or exchanges. Please see "Policies You Should Know About -- Policies about transactions" for further information. (2) Restated on an annualized basis to reflect fee changes which took effect on June 1, 2006. Includes 0.10% administration fee. (3) March 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006, the advisor has agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund to the extent necessary to maintain the fund's operating expenses at 1.21% for Class AARP and Class S shares, excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest, and organizational and offering expenses.Restated on an annualized basis to reflect fee changes which took effect on June 1, 2006 and restated to reflect the conversion of Class AARP shares on July 14, 2006. (4) Through September 30, 2007, the advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund to the extent necessary to maintain the fund's total annual operating expenses at a ratio no higher than 1.02% for Class S shares, excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest, proxy and organizational and offering expenses. Although there can be no assurances that the current waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement will be maintained beyond September 30, 2007, the advisor has committed to review the continuance of waiver/expense reimbursement arrangements by September 30, 2007. Based on the costs above, this example helps you compare the expenses of the fund to those of other mutual funds. This example assumes the expenses above remain the same. It also assumes that you invested $10,000, earned 5% annual returns and reinvested all dividends and distributions. This is only an example; actual expenses will be different. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Example 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class S $104 $325 $563 $1,248 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Other Policies and Secondary Risks While the sections on the previous pages describe the main points of the fund's strategy and risks, there are a few other issues to know about. Other policies o The fund's objective is not a fundamental policy. Although major changes tend to be infrequent, the fund's Board could change that fund's investment goal without seeking shareholder approval. In addition, the Board will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to making any changes to the fund's 80% investment policy, as described herein. o As a temporary defensive measure, the fund could shift up to 100% of assets into investments such as money market securities. This could prevent losses, but, while engaged in a temporary defensive position, the fund will not be pursuing its investment objective. However, the portfolio managers may choose not to use these strategies for various reasons, even in very volatile market conditions. o The fund's equity investments are mainly common stocks, but may also include other types of equities such as preferred or convertible securities. o The fund may trade securities actively. This could raise transaction costs (thus lowering return) and could mean higher taxable distributions. Secondary risks Derivatives Risk. Although not one of its principal investment strategies, the fund may invest in certain types of derivatives. Risks associated with derivatives include: the risk that a derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives used for risk management may not have the intended effects and may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; and the risk that the derivatives transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses. There is no guarantee that derivatives' activities will be employed or that they will work, and their use could cause lower returns or even losses to the fund. 10 Pricing Risk. At times, market conditions might make it hard to value some investments. For example, if the fund has valued its securities too highly, you may end up paying too much for fund shares when you buy into the fund. If the fund underestimates its price, you may not receive the full market value for your fund shares when you sell. IPO Risk. Securities purchased in initial public offerings (IPOs) may be very volatile, rising and falling rapidly, often based, among other reasons, on investor perceptions rather than on economic factors. Additionally, investments in IPOs may magnify the fund's performance if it has a small asset base. The fund is less likely to experience a similar impact on its performance as its assets grow because it is unlikely that the fund will be able to obtain proportionately larger IPO allocations. Securities Lending Risk. Any loss in the market price of securities loaned by the fund that occurs during the term of the loan would be borne by the fund and would adversely affect a fund's performance. Also, there may be delays in recovery of securities loaned or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while the loan is outstanding. However, loans will be made only to borrowers selected by the fund's delegate after a review of relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. 11 For more information This prospectus doesn't tell you about every policy or risk of investing in the fund. If you want more information on the fund's allowable securities and investment practices and the characteristics and risks of each one, you may want to request a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (the back cover tells you how to do this). Keep in mind that there is no assurance that any mutual fund will achieve its goal. A complete list of the fund's portfolio holdings is posted on www.dws-scudder.com as of the month-end on or after the last day of the following month. This posted information generally remains accessible at least until the date on which the fund files its Form N-CSR or N-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the period that includes the date as of which the posted information is current. In addition, the fund's top ten holdings and other information about the fund is posted on www.dws-scudder.com as of the calendar quarter-end on or after the 15th day following quarter-end. The fund's Statement of Additional Information includes a description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the fund's portfolio holdings. 12 Who Manages and Oversees the Fund The investment advisor Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DeIM" or the "Advisor"), which is part of Deutsche Asset Management, is the investment advisor for the fund. Under the supervision of the fund's Board of Trustees, DeIM, with headquarters at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, makes the fund's investment decisions, buys and sells securities for the fund and conducts research that leads to these purchase and sale decisions. DeIM and its predecessors have more than 80 years of experience managing mutual funds. DeIM provides a full range of investment advisory services to institutional and retail clients. DeIM is also responsible for selecting brokers and dealers and for negotiating brokerage commissions and dealer charges. DWS Scudder is part of Deutsche Asset Management, which is the marketing name in the US for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, DeIM, Deutsche Asset Management, Inc., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and DWS Trust Company. Deutsche Asset Management is a global asset management organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts, and an office network that reaches the world's major investment centers. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles. DeIM is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services, including investment management, mutual fund, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance. DeIM receives a management fee from the fund. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006, DeIM received an annual fee of 0.69% of the fund's average daily net assets. 13 On May 5, 2006, shareholders of the fund approved an amended and restated investment management agreement (the "Investment Management Agreement") with the Advisor. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Advisor provides continuing investment management of the assets of the fund. Effective June 1, 2006, the fund pays the Advisor under the Investment Management Agreement a fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.615% of the fund's average daily net assets up to $1.5 billion, 0.565% of the next $500 million and 0.515% thereafter. In addition, under a separate administrative services agreement between the fund and the Advisor, the fund pays the Advisor for providing most of the fund's administrative services. The fund's shareholder report for the semiannual period ended January 31, 2006 contains a discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' renewal of the investment management agreement (see "Shareholder reports" on the back cover.) The portfolio managers The fund is managed by a team of investment professionals who collaborate to develop and implement the fund's investment strategy. Each portfolio manager on the team has authority over all aspects of the fund's investment portfolio, including but not limited to, purchases and sales of individual securities, portfolio construction techniques, portfolio risk assessment, and the management of daily cash flows in accordance with portfolio holdings. 14 The following people handle the day-to-day management of the fund. Julie M. Van Cleave, CFA Thomas J. Schmid, CFA Managing Director of Deutsche Asset Director of Deutsche Asset Management and Lead Portfolio Manager Management and Portfolio Manager of of the fund. the fund. o Joined Deutsche Asset Management o Joined Deutsche Asset Management and the fund in 2002. and the fund in 2002. o Head of Large Cap Growth. o Previous experience includes o Previous experience includes 17 years of investment industry 19 years of investment industry experience, most recently experience at Mason Street serving as Director -- Common Advisors, most recently serving as Stock at Mason Street Advisors. Managing Director and team leader o MBA, University of Chicago. for the large cap investment team. o MBA, University of Wisconsin -- Madison. Jack A. Zehner Director of Deutsche Asset Management and Portfolio Manager of the fund. o Joined Deutsche Asset Management and the fund in 2002. o Previous experience includes nine years of investment industry experience at Mason Street Advisors where he served most recently as Director -- Common Stock. o MBA, Marquette University. The fund's Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio managers' investments in the fund, a description of their compensation structure and information regarding other accounts they manage. 15 Market timing related regulatory and litigation matters Since at least July 2003, federal, state and industry regulators have been conducting ongoing inquiries and investigations ("inquiries") into the mutual fund industry, and have requested information from numerous mutual fund companies, including DWS Scudder. The DWS funds' advisors have been cooperating in connection with these inquiries and are in discussions with the regulators concerning proposed settlements. Publicity about mutual fund practices arising from these industrywide inquiries serves as the general basis of a number of private lawsuits against the DWS funds. These lawsuits, which previously have been reported in the press, involve purported class action and derivative lawsuits, making various allegations and naming as defendants various persons, including certain DWS funds, the funds' investment advisors and their affiliates, and certain individuals, including in some cases fund Trustees/Directors, officers, and other parties. Each DWS fund's investment advisor has agreed to indemnify the applicable DWS funds in connection with these lawsuits, or other lawsuits or regulatory actions that may be filed making allegations similar to these lawsuits regarding market timing, revenue sharing, fund valuation or other subjects arising from or related to the pending inquiries. It is not possible to determine with certainty what the outcome of these inquiries will be or what the effect, if any, would be on the funds or their advisors. With respect to the lawsuits, based on currently available information, the funds' investment advisors believe the likelihood that the pending lawsuits will have a material adverse financial impact on a DWS fund is remote and such actions are not likely to materially affect their ability to perform under their investment management agreements with the DWS funds. With respect to the regulatory matters, Deutsche Asset Management ("DeAM") has advised the funds as follows: DeAM expects to reach final agreements with regulators in 2006 regarding allegations of improper trading in the DWS funds. DeAM expects that it will reach settlement agreements with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Attorney General and the Illinois Secretary of State providing for payment of disgorgement, penalties, and investor education contributions totaling approximately 16 $134 million. Approximately $127 million of this amount would be distributed to shareholders of the affected DWS funds in accordance with a distribution plan to be developed by an independent distribution consultant. DeAM does not believe that any of the DWS funds will be named as respondents or defendants in any proceedings. The funds' investment advisors do not believe these amounts will have a material adverse financial impact on them or materially affect their ability to perform under their investment management agreements with the DWS funds. The above-described amounts are not material to Deutsche Bank, and they have already been reserved. Based on the settlement discussions thus far, DeAM believes that it will be able to reach a settlement with the regulators on a basis that is generally consistent with settlements reached by other advisors, taking into account the particular facts and circumstances of market timing at DeAM and at the legacy Scudder and Kemper organizations prior to their acquisition by DeAM in April 2002. Among the terms of the expected settled orders, DeAM would be subject to certain undertakings regarding the conduct of its business in the future, including maintaining existing management fee reductions for certain funds for a period of five years. DeAM expects that these settlements would resolve regulatory allegations that it violated certain provisions of federal and state securities laws (i) by entering into trading arrangements that permitted certain investors to engage in market timing in certain DWS funds and (ii) by failing more generally to take adequate measures to prevent market timing in the DWS funds, primarily during the 1999-2001 period. With respect to the trading arrangements, DeAM expects that the settlement documents will include allegations related to one legacy DeAM arrangement, as well as three legacy Scudder and six legacy Kemper arrangements. All of these trading arrangements originated in businesses that existed prior to the current DeAM organization, which came together in April 2002 as a result of the various mergers of the legacy Scudder, Kemper and Deutsche fund groups, and all of the arrangements were terminated prior to the start of the regulatory investigations that began in the summer of 2003. No current DeAM employee approved the trading arrangements. 17 There is no certainty that the final settlement documents will contain the foregoing terms and conditions. The independent Trustees/Directors of the DWS funds have carefully monitored these regulatory investigations with the assistance of independent legal counsel and independent economic consultants. Additional information announced by DeAM regarding the terms of the expected settlements will be made available at www.dws-scudder.com/regulatory_settlements, which will also disclose the terms of any final settlement agreements once they are announced. Other regulatory matters On September 28, 2006, the SEC and the National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") announced final agreements in which Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DeIM"), Deutsche Asset Management, Inc. ("DeAM, Inc.") and Scudder Distributors, Inc. ("SDI") (now known as DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc.) settled administrative proceedings regarding disclosure of brokerage allocation practices in connection with sales of the Scudder Funds' (now known as the DWS Scudder Funds) shares during 2001-2003. The agreements with the SEC and NASD are reflected in orders which state, among other things, that DeIM and DeAM, Inc. failed to disclose potential conflicts of interest to the fund Boards and to shareholders relating to SDI's use of certain funds' brokerage commissions to reduce revenue sharing costs to broker-dealer firms with whom it had arrangements to market and distribute Scudder Fund shares. These directed brokerage practices were discontinued in October 2003. Under the terms of the settlements, in which DeIM, DeAM, Inc. and SDI neither admitted nor denied any of the regulators' findings, DeIM, DeAM, Inc. and SDI agreed to pay disgorgement, prejudgment interest and civil penalties in the total amount of $19.3 million. The portion of the settlements distributed to the funds was approximately $17.8 million and was paid to the funds as prescribed by the settlement orders based upon the amount of brokerage commissions from each fund used to satisfy revenue sharing agreements with broker-dealers who sold fund shares. 18 As part of the settlements, DeIM, DeAM, Inc. and SDI also agreed to implement certain measures and undertakings relating to revenue sharing payments including making additional disclosures in the fund Prospectuses or Statements of Additional Information, adopting or modifying relevant policies and procedures and providing regular reporting to the fund Boards. SDI has also offered to settle with the NASD regarding SDI's provision of non-cash compensation to associated persons of NASD member firms and related policies. In the offer, SDI consents to the imposition of a censure by the NASD and a fine of $425,000. The NASD has not yet accepted SDI's offer. Additional information announced by DeAM regarding the terms of the expected settlements will be made available at www.dws-scudder.com/regulatory_settlements, which will also disclose the terms of any final settlement agreements once they are announced. 19 Financial Highlights This table is designed to help you understand the fund's financial performance in recent years. The figures in the first part of each table are for a single share. The total return figures represent the percentage that an investor in the fund would have earned (or lost), assuming all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the fund's annual report (see "Shareholder reports" on the back cover). DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Class S
Years Ended July 31, 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Selected Per Share Data - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $24.73 $21.81 $20.52 $18.78 $27.29 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss)(a) (.01) .10 (.03) (.02) (.07) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions .26 2.82 1.32 1.76 (8.44) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total from investment operations .25 2.92 1.29 1.74 (8.51) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less distributions from: Net investment income (.12) -- -- -- -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees .00* .00* -- -- -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $24.86 $24.73 $21.81 $20.52 $18.78 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Return (%) .94(b) 13.39(b) 6.29(b) 9.27 (31.18) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets, end of period ($ millions) 270 349 401 451 506 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses before expense 1.21 1.10 1.08 1.01 1.01 reductions (%) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses after expense 1.11 1.06 1.02 1.01 1.01 reductions (%) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%) (.02) .43 (.11) (.10) (.30) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portfolio turnover rate (%) 16 20 21 31 48 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Based on average shares outstanding during the period. (b) Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. * Amount is less than $.005. 20 How to Invest in the Fund The following pages tell you how to invest in the fund and what to expect as a shareholder. If you're investing directly with DWS Scudder, all of this information applies to you. If you're investing through a "third party provider" -- for example, a workplace retirement plan, financial supermarket or financial advisor -- your provider may have its own policies or instructions and you should follow those. How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares Buying Shares: Use these instructions to invest directly. Make out your check to "DWS Scudder." ================================================================================ First investment Additional investments ================================================================================ Regular accounts: $50 or more for regular accounts and IRA accounts $2,500 or more $50 or more with an Automatic IRA accounts and Automatic Investment Plan Investment Plan: $1,000 or more ================================================================================ By mail or express mail (see below) o Fill out and sign an application Send a DWS Scudder investment slip or short note that includes: o Send it to us at the appropriate address, along with an investment check o fund and class name o account number o check payable to "DWS Scudder" ================================================================================ By wire o Call 1-800-728-3337 for instructions o Call 1-800-728-3337 for instructions ================================================================================ By phone Not available o Call 1-800-728-3337 for instructions ================================================================================ With an automatic investment plan o Fill in the information on your o To set up regular investments from application and include a voided check a bank checking account, call 1-800-728-3337 ================================================================================ Using QuickBuy Not available o Call 1-800-728-3337 to make sure QuickBuy is set up on your account; if it is, you can request a transfer from your bank account of any amount between $50 and $250,000 ================================================================================ On the Internet o Go to "funds and prices" at o Call 1-800-728-3337 to ensure you www.dws-scudder.com have electronic services o Print out a prospectus and a new o Register at www.dws-scudder.com account application o Follow the instructions for buying o Complete and return the application shares with money from your bank with your check account ================================================================================ Regular mail: First Investment: DWS Scudder, PO Box 219356, Kansas City, MO 64121-9356 Additional Investments: DWS Scudder, PO Box 219154, Kansas City, MO 64121-9154 Express, registered or certified mail: DWS Scudder, 210 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1614 22 Exchanging or Selling Shares: Use these instructions to exchange or sell shares in an account opened directly with DWS Scudder. ================================================================================ Exchanging into another fund Selling shares ================================================================================ $2,500 or more to open a new account Some transactions, including most for ($1,000 or more for IRAs) over $100,000, can only be ordered in writing with a signature guarantee; if $50 or more for exchanges between you're in doubt, see page 33 existing accounts ================================================================================ By phone or wire o Call 1-800-728-3337 for instructions o Call 1-800-728-3337 for instructions ================================================================================ Using Automated Information Line o Call 1-800-728-3337 for instructions o Call 1-800-728-3337 for instructions ================================================================================ By mail or express mail (see previous page) Your instructions should include: Your instructions should include: o the fund, class and account number o the fund, class and account number you're exchanging out of from which you want to sell shares o the dollar amount or number of shares o the dollar amount or number of you want to exchange shares you want to sell o the name and class of the fund you o your name(s), signature(s) and want to exchange into address, as they appear on your account o your name(s), signature(s) and address, as they appear on your account o a daytime telephone number o a daytime telephone number ================================================================================ With an automatic withdrawal plan Not available o To set up regular cash payments from a DWS fund account, call 1-800-728-3337 ================================================================================ Using QuickSell Not available o Call 1-800-728-3337 to make sure QuickSell is set up on your account; if it is, you can request a transfer to your bank account between $50 and $250,000 ================================================================================ On the Internet o Register at www.dws-scudder.com o Register at www.dws-scudder.com o Follow the instructions for making o Follow the instructions for making on-line exchanges on-line redemptions ================================================================================ To reach us: Web site: www.dws-scudder.com Telephone representative: 1-800-728-3337, M-F, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET TDD line: 1-800-972-3006, M-F, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET 23 Financial intermediary support payments The fund's investment advisor (the "Advisor"), DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") and/or their affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their own assets and not as an additional charge to the fund, to selected affiliated and unaffiliated brokers, dealers, participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries ("financial advisors") in connection with the sale and/or distribution of fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of fund investors and fund shares ("revenue sharing"). Such revenue sharing payments are in addition to any distribution or service fees payable under any Rule 12b-1 or service plan of any fund, any record keeping/sub-transfer agency fees payable by the fund (generally by reimbursement to the Distributor or an affiliate) to certain financial advisors for performing such services and any sales charges, commissions, non-cash compensation arrangements expressly permitted under applicable rules of the NASD or other concessions described in the fee table or elsewhere in this prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI") as payable to all financial advisors. For example, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may compensate financial advisors for administrative, sub-accounting, or shareholder processing services and/or for providing the fund with "shelf space" or access to a third party platform or fund offering list, or other marketing programs including, without limitation, inclusion of the fund on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund "supermarket" platforms and other formal sales programs; granting the Distributor access to the financial advisor's sales force; granting the Distributor access to the financial advisor's conferences and meetings; assistance in training and educating the financial advisor's personnel; and, obtaining other forms of marketing support. The level of revenue sharing payments made to financial advisors may be a fixed fee or based upon one or more of the following factors: gross sales, current assets and/or number of accounts of the fund attributable to the financial advisor, the particular fund or fund type or other measures as agreed to by the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates and the financial advisors or any combination thereof. The amount of these revenue sharing payments is determined at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different financial advisors based on, for example, the nature of the services provided by the financial advisor. 24 The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates currently make revenue sharing payments from their own assets in connection with the sale and/or distribution of DWS Fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of investors and DWS Fund shares to financial advisors in amounts that generally range from 0.01% up to 0.50% of assets of the fund serviced and maintained by the financial advisor, 0.05% to 0.40% of sales of the fund attributable to the financial advisor, a flat fee of $12,500 up to $500,000, or any combination thereof. These amounts are subject to change at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates. Receipt of, or the prospect of receiving, this additional compensation, may influence your financial advisor's recommendation of the fund or of any particular share class of the fund. You should review your financial advisor's compensation disclosure and/or talk to your financial advisor to obtain more information on how this compensation may have influenced your financial advisor's recommendation of the fund. Additional information regarding these revenue sharing payments is included in the fund's SAI, which is available to you on request at no charge (see the back cover of this prospectus for more information on how to request a copy of the SAI). The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may also make such revenue sharing payments to financial advisors under the terms discussed above in connection with the distribution of both DWS funds and non-DWS funds by financial advisors to retirement plans that obtain record keeping services from ADP, Inc. on the DWS Scudder branded retirement plan platform (the "Platform") with the level of revenue sharing payments being based upon sales of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds by the financial advisor on the Platform or current assets of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds serviced and maintained by the financial advisor on the Platform. It is likely that broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions for the fund will include firms that also sell shares of the DWS funds to their customers. However, the Advisor will not consider sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the DWS funds. Accordingly, the Advisor has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent its traders from considering sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the fund. In addition, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates will not use fund brokerage to pay for their obligation to provide additional compensation to financial advisors as described above. 25 Policies You Should Know About Along with the instructions on the previous pages, the policies below may affect you as a shareholder. Some of this information, such as the section on dividends and taxes, applies to all investors, including those investing through financial advisors. If you are investing through a financial advisor or through a retirement plan, check the materials you received from them about how to buy and sell shares because particular financial advisors or other intermediaries may adopt policies, procedures or limitations that are separate from those described by the fund. Please note that a financial advisor may charge fees separate from those charged by the fund. Keep in mind that the information in this prospectus applies only to the fund's Class S shares. The fund has other share classes, which are described in separate prospectuses and which have different fees, requirements and services. In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call 1-800-728-3337 or contact your financial advisor. Policies about transactions The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. The fund calculates its share price for each class every business day, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, but sometimes earlier, as in the case of scheduled half-day trading or unscheduled suspensions of trading). You can place an order to buy or sell shares at any time. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means to you: when you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. Some or all of this information will be used to verify the identity of all persons opening an account. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. Questions? You can speak to a DWS Scudder representative between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time on any fund business day by calling 1-800-728-3337. 26 We might request additional information about you (which may include certain documents, such as articles of incorporation for companies) to help us verify your identity, and in some cases the information and/or documents may be required to conduct the verification. The information and documents will be used solely to verify your identity. We will attempt to collect any missing required and requested information by contacting you or your financial advisor. If we are unable to obtain this information within the time frames established by the fund, then we may reject your application and order. The fund will not invest your purchase until all required and requested identification information has been provided and your application has been submitted in "good order." After we receive all the information, your application is deemed to be in good order and we accept your purchase, you will receive the net asset value per share next calculated. If we are unable to verify your identity within time frames established by the fund, after a reasonable effort to do so, you will receive written notification. The fund generally will not accept new account applications to establish an account with a non-US address (APO/FPO and US territories are acceptable) or for a non-resident alien. Because orders placed through a financial advisor must be forwarded to the transfer agent before they can be processed, you'll need to allow extra time. A representative of your financial advisor should be able to tell you approximately when your order will be processed. It is the responsibility of your financial advisor to forward your order to the transfer agent in a timely manner. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. The DWS Scudder Web site can be a valuable resource for shareholders with Internet access. To get up-to-date information, review balances or even place orders for exchanges, go to www.dws-scudder.com. 27 Initial Purchase. The minimum initial investment is $2,500, except for investments on behalf of participants in certain fee- based and wrap programs offered through certain financial intermediaries approved by the Advisor for which there is no minimum initial investment; and fiduciary accounts such as IRAs and custodial accounts such as Uniform Gifts to Minors Act and Uniform Transfers to Minors Act accounts for which the minimum initial investment is $1,000 per account. In addition, the minimum initial investment is $1,000 if an automatic investment plan of $50 per month is established. Group retirement plans and certain other accounts have similar or lower minimum share balance requirements. The fund may waive minimums for investments on behalf of fund trustees and directors or officers or employees of the Advisor and its affiliates. Market Timing Policies and Procedures. Short-term and excessive trading of fund shares may present risks to the fund's long-term shareholders, including potential dilution in the value of fund shares, interference with the efficient management of the fund's portfolios (including losses on the sale of investments), taxable gains to remaining shareholders and increased brokerage and administrative costs. These risks may be more pronounced for funds investing in certain securities such as those that trade in foreign markets, are illiquid or do not otherwise have "readily available market quotations." Certain investors may seek to employ short-term trading strategies aimed at exploiting variations in portfolio valuation that arise from the nature of the securities held by the fund (e.g., "time zone arbitrage"). The fund discourages short-term and excessive trading. The fund will take steps to detect and deter short-term and excessive trading pursuant to a fund's policies as described in this prospectus and approved by the Board. The fund generally defines short-term trading as purchase and redemption activity, including exchanges, that occurs within the time period for imposition of redemption fees. The fund may also take trading activity that occurs over longer periods into account if the fund reasonably believes such activity is of an amount or frequency that may be harmful to long-term shareholders or disruptive to portfolio management. 28 The fund's policies include: o a 2% redemption fee on fund shares held for less than a specified holding period (subject to certain exceptions discussed below under "Redemption fees"); o the fund reserves the right to reject or cancel a purchase or exchange order for any reason when, in the opinion of the advisor, there appears to be a pattern of short-term or excessive trading activity by a shareholder or any other trading activity deemed harmful or disruptive to the fund; and o the fund has adopted certain fair valuation practices intended to protect the fund from "time zone arbitrage" with respect to its foreign securities holdings and other trading practices that seek to exploit variations in portfolio valuation that arise from the nature of the securities held by a fund. (See "How the fund calculates share price.") When a pattern of short-term or excessive trading activity or other trading activity deemed harmful or disruptive to the fund by an investor is detected, the advisor may determine to prohibit that investor from future purchases in the fund or to limit or terminate the investor's exchange privilege. The detection of these patterns and the banning of further trading are inherently subjective and therefore involve some selectivity in their application. The advisor seeks to make such determinations in a manner consistent with the interests of the fund's long-term shareholders. There is no assurance that these policies and procedures will be effective in limiting short-term and excessive trading in all cases. For example, the advisor may not be able to effectively monitor, detect or limit short-term or excessive trading by underlying shareholders that occurs through omnibus accounts maintained by broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. Depending on the amount of fund shares held in such omnibus accounts (which may represent most of the fund's shares) short-term and/or excessive trading of fund shares could adversely affect long-term shareholders in the fund. It is important to note that shareholders that invest through omnibus accounts also may be subject to the policies and procedures of their financial intermediaries with respect to short-term and excessive trading in the fund. 29 The fund's policies and procedures may be modified or terminated at any time. Redemption fees. The fund imposes a redemption fee of 2% of the total redemption amount (calculated at net asset value) on all fund shares redeemed or exchanged within 15 days of buying them (either by purchase or exchange). The redemption fee is paid directly to the fund, and is designed to encourage long-term investment and to offset transaction and other costs associated with short-term or excessive trading. For purposes of determining whether the redemption fee applies, shares held the longest time will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held the shortest time will be treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee is applicable to fund shares purchased either directly or through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer. Transactions through financial intermediaries typically are placed with the funds on an omnibus basis and include both purchase and sale transactions placed on behalf of multiple investors. These purchase and sale transactions are generally netted against one another and placed on an aggregate basis; consequently the identities of the individuals on whose behalf the transactions are placed generally are not known to the fund. For this reason, the fund has undertaken to notify financial intermediaries of their obligation to assess the redemption fee on customer accounts and to collect and remit the proceeds to the fund. However, due to operational requirements, the intermediaries' methods for tracking and calculating the fee may be inadequate or differ in some respects from the fund's. Subject to approval by DeAM or the fund's Board, intermediaries who transact business on an omnibus basis may implement the redemption fees according to their own operational guidelines (which may be different than a fund's policies) and remit the fees to the fund. In addition, certain intermediaries that do not currently have the capacity to collect redemption fees at an account level may be granted a temporary waiver from the fund's policies until such time as they can develop and implement a system to collect the redemption fees. 30 The redemption fee will not be charged in connection with the following exchange or redemption transactions: (i) transactions on behalf of participants in certain research wrap programs; (ii) transactions on behalf of participants in certain group retirement plans and financial intermediaries whose processing systems are incapable of properly applying the redemption fee to underlying shareholders; (iii) transactions on behalf of a shareholder to return any excess IRA contributions to the shareholder; (iv) transactions on behalf of a shareholder to effect a required minimum distribution on an IRA; (v) transactions on behalf of any mutual fund advised by the fund's investment advisor and its affiliates (e.g., "funds of funds") or, in the case of a master/feeder relationship, redemptions by the feeder fund from the master portfolio; (vi) transactions on behalf of certain unaffiliated mutual funds operating as funds of funds; (vii) transactions following death or disability of any registered shareholder, beneficial owner or grantor of a living trust with respect to shares purchased before death or disability; (viii) transactions involving hardship of any registered shareholder; (ix) systematic transactions with predefined trade dates for purchases, exchanges or redemptions, such as automatic account rebalancing, or loan origination and repayments; (x) transactions involving shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions; (xi) transactions involving shares transferred from another account in the same fund or converted from another class of the same fund (e.g., shares converting from Class B to Class A) (the redemption fee period will carry over to the acquired shares); (xii) transactions initiated by the fund or administrator (e.g., redemptions for not meeting account minimums, to pay account fees funded by share redemptions, or in the event of the liquidation or merger of the fund); (xiii) transactions in cases when there are legal or contractual limitations or restrictions on the imposition of the redemption fee (as determined by the fund or its agents in their sole discretion); or (xiv) for DWS Massachusetts Tax-Free Fund, DWS Short Term Bond Fund and DWS Intermediate Tax/AMT Free Fund only: checkwriting transactions in these funds. 31 The fund expects that the waiver for certain group retirement plans and financial intermediaries will be eliminated over time as their respective operating systems are improved. Until such time that these operating systems are improved, the fund's investment advisor will attempt to monitor the trading activity in these accounts and will take appropriate corrective action if it appears that a pattern of short-term or excessive trading or other harmful or disruptive trading by underlying shareholders exists. The funds reserve the right to withdraw waivers, and to modify or terminate these waivers or the redemption fee at any time. Automated phone information is available 24 hours a day. You can use our automated phone services to get information on DWS funds generally and on accounts held directly at DWS Scudder. You can also use this service to make exchanges and sell shares. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For Class S shares - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Call the Automated Information Line at 1-800-728-3337 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- QuickBuy and QuickSell let you set up a link between a DWS fund account and a bank account. Once this link is in place, you can move money between the two with a phone call. You'll need to make sure your bank has Automated Clearing House (ACH) services. Transactions take two to three days to be completed and there is a $50 minimum and a $250,000 maximum. To set up QuickBuy or QuickSell on a new account, see the account application; to add it to an existing account, call 1-800-728-3337. Telephone and electronic transactions. Generally, you are automatically entitled to telephone and electronic transaction privileges, but you may elect not to have them when you open your account or by contacting Shareholder Services at 1-800-728-3337 at a later date. Since many transactions may be initiated by telephone or electronically, it's important to understand that as long as we take reasonable steps to ensure that an order to purchase or redeem shares is genuine, such as recording calls or requesting personalized security codes or other information, we are not responsible for any losses that may occur as a result. For transactions conducted over the Internet, we recommend the use of a secure Internet browser. In addition, you should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them. 32 The fund accepts payment for shares only in US dollars by check, by bank or Federal Funds wire transfer, or by electronic bank transfer. Please note that the fund cannot accept cash, traveler's checks, starter checks, money orders, third party checks, checks drawn on foreign banks or checks issued by credit card companies or Internet-based companies. When you ask us to send or receive a wire, please note that while we don't charge a fee to send or receive wires, it's possible that your bank may do so. Wire transactions are generally completed within 24 hours. The fund can only send wires of $1,000 or more and accept wires of $50 or more. We do not issue share certificates. However, if you currently have shares in certificated form, you must include the share certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock power when exchanging or redeeming shares. You may not exchange or redeem shares in certificate form by telephone or via the Internet. When you want to sell more than $100,000 worth of shares or send proceeds to a third party or to a new address, you'll usually need to place your order in writing and include a signature guarantee. However, if you want money wired to a bank account that is already on file with us, you don't need a signature guarantee. Also, you generally don't need a signature guarantee for an exchange, although we may require one in certain other circumstances. A signature guarantee is simply a certification of your signature -- a valuable safeguard against fraud. You can get a signature guarantee from an eligible guarantor institution, including commercial banks, savings and loans, trust companies, credit unions, member firms of a national stock exchange, or any member or participant of an approved signature guarantor program. Note that you can't get a signature guarantee from a notary public and we must be provided the original guarantee. Selling shares of trust accounts and business or organization accounts may require additional documentation. Please call 1-800-728-3337 or contact your financial advisor for more information. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. If you ever have difficulty placing an order by phone or Internet, you can send us your order in writing. 33 Money from shares you sell is normally sent out within one business day of when your order is processed (not when it is received), although it could be delayed for up to seven days. There are other circumstances when it could be longer: when you are selling shares you bought recently by check and that check hasn't cleared yet (maximum delay: 10 days) or when unusual circumstances prompt the SEC to allow further delays. Certain expedited redemption processes may also be delayed when you are selling recently purchased shares or in the event of the closing of the Federal Reserve Bank's wire payment system. For additional circumstances where redemption proceeds could be delayed, please see "Other rights we reserve." You may obtain additional information about other ways to sell your shares by contacting your financial advisor. How the fund calculates share price To calculate net asset value, or NAV, each share class uses the following equation: TOTAL ASSETS - TOTAL LIABILITIES -------------------------------------------- = NAV TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING The price at which you buy and sell shares is the NAV. The fund charges a short-term redemption fee equal to 2.00% of the value of shares redeemed or exchanged within 15 days of buying them. Please see "Policies about transactions -- Redemption fees" for further information. We typically value securities using information furnished by an independent pricing service or market quotations, where appropriate. Generally, we may use methods approved by the fund's Board, such as a fair valuation model, which are intended to reflect fair value when pricing service information or market quotations are not readily available or when a security's value or a meaningful portion of the value of the fund's portfolio is believed to have been materially affected by a significant event, such as a natural disaster, an economic event like a bankruptcy filing, or a substantial fluctuation in domestic or foreign markets, that has occurred between the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market) and the close of the 34 New York Stock Exchange. In such a case, the fund's value for a security is likely to be different from the last quoted market price or pricing service information. In addition, due to the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, it is possible that the value determined for a particular asset may be materially different from the value realized upon such asset's sale. It is expected that the greater the percentage of fund assets that is invested in non-US securities, the more extensive will be the fund's use of fair value pricing. This is intended to reduce the fund's exposure to "time zone arbitrage" and other harmful trading practices. (See "Market Timing Policies and Procedures.") To the extent that the fund invests in securities that are traded primarily in foreign markets, the value of its holdings could change at a time when you aren't able to buy or sell fund shares. This is because some foreign markets are open on days or at times when the funds don't price their shares. Other rights we reserve You should be aware that we may do any of the following: o withdraw or suspend the offering of shares at any time o withhold a portion of your distributions as federal income tax if we have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding or if you fail to provide us with a correct taxpayer ID number and certain certifications or certification that you are exempt from backup withholding o reject a new account application if you don't provide any required or requested identifying information, or for any other reasons o refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order; freeze any account (meaning you will not be able to purchase fund shares in your account); suspend account services; and/or involuntarily redeem your account if we think that the account is being used for fraudulent or illegal purposes; one or more of these actions will be taken when, at our sole discretion, they are deemed to be in the fund's best interest or when the fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority or by applicable law 35 o close and liquidate your account if we are unable to verify your identity or for other reasons; if we decide to close your account, your fund shares will be redeemed at the net asset value per share next calculated after we determine to close your account (less any applicable sales charges or redemption fees); you may recognize gain or loss on the redemption of your fund shares and you may incur a tax liability o close your account and send you the proceeds if your balance falls below $2,500 (for regular accounts) or $1,000 (with an Automatic Investment Plan funded with $50 or more per month in subsequent investments) or $250 for retirement accounts; we will give you 60 days' notice (90 days for retirement accounts) so you can either increase your balance or close your account (these policies don't apply to investors with $100,000 or more in DWS fund shares, investors in certain fee-based and wrap programs offered through certain financial intermediaries approved by the Advisor, or in any case where a fall in share price created the low balance) o pay you for shares you sell by "redeeming in kind," that is, by giving you marketable securities (which typically will involve brokerage costs for you to liquidate) rather than cash, but which will be taxable to the same extent as a redemption for cash; the fund generally won't make a redemption in kind unless your requests over a 90-day period total more than $250,000 or 1% of the value of the fund's net assets, whichever is less o change, add or withdraw various services, fees and account policies (for example, we may change or terminate the exchange privilege or adjust the fund's investment minimums at any time) o suspend or postpone redemptions as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Generally, those circumstances are when: 1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary weekend or holiday closings; 2) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted; 3) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by a portfolio or the fair determination of the value of a portfolio's net assets not reasonably practicable; or 4) the SEC, by order, permits the suspension of the right of redemption. Redemption payments by wire may also be delayed in the event of a nonroutine closure of the Federal Reserve wire payment system. 36 Understanding Distributions and Taxes The fund intends to distribute to its shareholders virtually all of its net earnings. The fund can earn money in two ways: by receiving interest, dividends or other income from securities it holds and by selling securities for more than it paid for them. (The fund's earnings are separate from any gains or losses stemming from your own purchase and sale of shares.) The fund may not always pay a distribution for a given period. The fund intends to pay dividends and distributions to its shareholders annually in December, and if necessary may do so at other times as well. For federal income tax purposes, income and capital gains distributions are generally taxable. Dividends and distributions received by retirement plans qualifying for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws generally will not be taxable. Similarly, there generally will be no federal income tax consequences when a qualified retirement plan buys or sells fund shares. You can choose how to receive your dividends and distributions. You can have them all automatically reinvested in fund shares (at NAV), all deposited directly to your bank account or all sent to you by check, have one type reinvested and the other sent to you by check or have them invested in a different fund. Tell us your preference on your application. If you don't indicate a preference, your dividends and distributions will all be reinvested. Dividends and distributions are taxable whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. For retirement plans, reinvestment (at NAV) is the only option. Dividends and distributions received by retirement plans qualifying for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws generally will not be taxable. Buying, selling or exchanging fund shares will usually have tax consequences for you (except in an IRA or other tax-advantaged account). Your sales of shares may result in a capital gain or loss. The gain or loss will be long term or short-term depending on how long you owned the shares that were sold. For federal income tax purposes, an exchange is treated the same as a sale. THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS. Because each shareholder's tax situation is unique, ask your tax professional about the tax consequences of your investments, including any state and local tax. consequences. 37 The federal income tax status of the fund's earnings you receive and your own fund transactions generally depends on their type: ==================================================================== Generally taxed at long-term Generally taxed at ordinary capital gain rates: income rates: ==================================================================== Distributions from the fund o gains from the sale of o gains from the sale of securities held by the fund for securities held by the fund more than one year for one year or less o qualified dividend income o all other taxable income ==================================================================== Transactions involving fund shares o gains from selling fund shares o gains from selling fund held for more than one year shares held for one year or less ==================================================================== Any investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. In that case, the fund's yield on those securities would generally be decreased. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the fund. In addition, any investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the fund's recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the fund's distributions. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, distributions to individuals and other noncorporate shareholders of investment income designated by the fund as derived from qualified dividend income are eligible for taxation for federal income purposes at the more favorable long-term capital gain rates. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends from domestic and some foreign corporations. The fund must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the fund's shares for lower tax rates to apply. 38 For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, the maximum federal income tax rate imposed on long-term capital gain imposed on individuals and other noncorporate shareholders has been temporarily reduced to 15%. For more information, see the Statement of Additional Information under "Federal Income Taxes." Your fund will send you detailed federal income tax information every January. These statements tell you the amount and the federal income tax category of any dividends or distributions you received. They also contain certain details on your purchases and sales of shares. The federal income tax status of dividends and distributions is the same whether you reinvest them or not. Dividends or distributions declared in the last quarter of a given year are taxed in that year, even though you may not receive the money until the following January. If you invest right before the fund pays a dividend, you'll be getting some of your investment back as a taxable dividend. You can avoid this, if you want, by investing after the fund declares a dividend. In tax-advantaged retirement accounts you don't need to worry about this. Corporations are taxed at the same rates on ordinary income and capital gains, but may be eligible for a dividends-received deduction for a portion of income dividends they receive from the fund, provided certain holding period and other requirements are met. The above discussion is applicable to shareholders who are US persons. If you are a non-US person, please consult your own tax advisor with respect to the US tax consequences of an investment in the fund. Additional information may be found in the fund's Statement of Additional Information. 39 For More Information Shareholder reports -- These include commentary from the fund's management team about recent market conditions and the effects of the fund's strategies on its performance. They also have detailed performance figures, a list of everything the fund owns, and the fund's financial statements. Shareholders get these reports automatically. Statement of Additional Information (SAI) -- This tells you more about the fund's features and policies, including additional risk information. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this document (meaning that it's legally part of this prospectus). For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other information about the fund, call 1-800-728-3337, or contact DWS Scudder at the address listed below. The fund's SAI and shareholder reports are also available through the DWS Scudder Web site at www.dws-scudder.com. These documents and other information about the fund are available from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at www.sec.gov. If you like, you may obtain copies of this information, after paying a copying fee, by e-mailing a request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the SEC at the address listed below. You can also review and copy these documents and other information about the fund, including the fund's SAI, 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 1-800-SEC-0330. DWS Scudder SEC Distributor - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PO Box 219151 100 F Street, N.E. DWS Scudder Distributors, Kansas City, MO 64121-9151 Washington, D.C. Inc. www.dws-scudder.com 20549-0102 222 South Riverside Plaza 1-800-728-3337 www.sec.gov Chicago, IL 60606-5808 1-800-SEC-0330 1-800-621-1148 SEC File Number: DWS Large Company Growth Fund 811-43 [DWS SCUDDER Logo] Deutsche Bank Group DWS INVESTMENT TRUST (FORMERLY INVESTMENT TRUST) DWS Large Company Growth Fund (formerly Scudder Large Company Growth Fund ) Class A, B, C and Institutional Class Shares December 1, 2006 STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectuses dated December 1, 2006, as amended from time to time, copies of which may be obtained without charge by contacting DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc., 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606, 1-800-621-1148, or from the firm from which this Statement of Additional Information was obtained, and are available along with other materials on the Securities and Exchange Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov). The Annual Report to Shareholders of the Fund, dated July 31, 2006 accompanies this Statement of Additional Information. The financial statements contained therein, together with accompanying notes, are incorporated by reference and are hereby deemed to be part of this Statement of Additional Information. This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is incorporated by reference into the corresponding prospectuses for each class of shares of the Fund noted above. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS.......................................................1 INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES............................................3 Portfolio Holdings Information............................................18 MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND.......................................................20 Investment Advisor........................................................20 Compensation of Portfolio Managers........................................31 Fund Ownership of Portfolio Managers......................................32 Conflicts of Interest.....................................................32 Administrative Agreement..................................................34 FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS.......................................................36 Principal Underwriter and Administrator...................................36 Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.............................41 Legal Counsel.............................................................41 Fund Accounting Agent.....................................................41 Custodian, Transfer Agent and Shareholder Service Agent...................42 PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS.......................................................43 PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES............................................46 DIVIDENDS....................................................................67 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES.........................................................68 NET ASSET VALUE..............................................................73 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS........................................................74 TRUST ORGANIZATION...........................................................94 PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES......................................................97 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................................98 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.......................................................98 i ii INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund's investment objective and policies are not fundamental and may be changed without a vote of shareholders. There can be no assurance that the Fund's objective will be met. Any investment restrictions herein which involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after and is caused by an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund. The Fund has elected to be classified as a diversified series of an open-end investment company. A diversified fund may not, with respect to 75% of total assets, invest more than 5% of total assets in the securities of a single issuer or invest in more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not: (1) borrow money, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; (2) issue senior securities, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; (3) concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; (4) engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities; (5) purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund's ownership of securities; (6) purchase or sell commodities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by the regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. (7) make loans except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. A fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund which, under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and as used in this SAI, means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Trustees of DWS Investment Trust have voluntarily adopted certain policies and restrictions, which are observed in the conduct of the Fund's affairs. Nonfundamental policies may be changed by the Trustees of the Trust without requiring prior notice to or approval of shareholders. As a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Fund currently may not: (a) borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of its total assets except (i) for temporary or emergency purposes and (ii) by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, or other investments or transactions described in the Fund's registration statement which may be deemed to be borrowings; (b) enter into either reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls in an amount greater than 5% of its total assets; (c) purchase securities on margin or make short sales, except (i) short sales against the box, (ii) in connection with arbitrage transactions, (iii) for margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options or other permitted investments, (iv) that transactions in futures contracts and options shall not be deemed to constitute selling securities short, and (v) that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of securities transactions; (d) purchase options, unless the aggregate premiums paid on all such options held by the Fund at any time do not exceed 20% of its total assets; or sell put options, if as a result, the aggregate value of the obligations underlying such put options would exceed 50% of its total assets; (e) enter into futures contracts or purchase options thereon unless immediately after the purchase, the value of the aggregate initial margin with respect to such futures contracts entered into on behalf of the Fund and the premiums paid for such options on futures contracts does not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's total assets; provided that in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in computing the 5% limit; (f) purchase warrants if as a result, such securities, taken at the lower of cost or market value, would represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (for this purpose, warrants acquired in units or attached to securities will be deemed to have no value); (g) lend portfolio securities in an amount greater than 33 1/3% of its total assets; (h) acquire securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act. The Fund is restricted by the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC" or "Commission") 15% limitation on investing in illiquid securities. Temporary Defensive Policy. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest without limit in cash and cash equivalents (including foreign money market instruments, such as bankers' acceptances, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, short-term government and corporate obligations, and repurchase agreements), obligations issued or guaranteed by the US government, its agencies or instrumentalities ("Government Securities"), domestic repurchase agreements, money market instruments and high quality debt securities without equity features. In such a case, the Fund would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective. Master/feeder Fund Structure. The Board of Trustees has the discretion to retain the current distribution arrangement for the Fund while investing in a master fund in a master/feeder fund structure as described below. A master/feeder fund structure is one in which the Fund (a "feeder fund"), instead of investing directly in a portfolio of securities, invests most or all of its investment assets in a separate registered investment company (the "master fund") with substantially the same investment objective and policies as the feeder fund. Such a structure permits the pooling of assets of two or more feeder funds, preserving separate identities or distribution channels at the feeder fund level. Based on the premise that certain of the expenses of operating an investment portfolio are relatively fixed, a larger investment portfolio may eventually achieve a lower ratio of operating expenses to average net assets. An existing investment company is able to convert to a feeder fund by selling all of its investments, 2 which involves brokerage and other transaction costs and realization of a taxable gain or loss, or by contributing its assets to the master fund and avoiding transaction costs and, if proper procedures are followed, the realization of taxable gain or loss. INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES DWS Large Company Growth Fund is a diversified series of DWS Investment Trust (the "Trust"). The Fund is an open-end management investment company which continuously offers and redeems shares at net asset value. The Fund is a company of the type commonly known as a mutual fund. The Fund offers the following classes of shares: Class S, Class A, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class shares. Only Classes A, B, C and Institutional Class shares of the Fund are offered herein. Each class has its own important features and policies. General Investment Objective and Policies Descriptions in this SAI of a particular investment practice or technique in which the Fund may engage are meant to describe the spectrum of investments that Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (the "Advisor") in its discretion might, but is not required to, use in managing the Fund's portfolio assets. The Advisor, may in its discretion at any time employ such practice, technique or instrument for one or more funds but not for all funds advised by it. Furthermore, it is possible that certain types of financial instruments or investment techniques described herein may not be available, permissible, economically feasible or effective for their intended purposes in all markets. Certain practices, techniques or instruments may not be principal activities of the Fund, but, to the extent employed, could from time to time have a material impact on the Fund's performance. It is possible that certain investment practices and techniques described below may not be permissible for the Fund based on its investment restrictions, as described herein, and in the Fund's prospectus. Borrowing. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. While the Fund's Board of Trustees does not currently intend to borrow for investment leveraging purposes, if such a strategy were implemented in the future it would increase the fund's volatility and the risk of loss in a declining market. Borrowing by the Fund will involve special risk considerations. Although the principal of the Fund's borrowings will be fixed, the Fund's assets may change in value during the time a borrowing is outstanding, thus increasing exposure to capital risk. Common Stocks. Common stock is issued by companies to raise cash for business purposes and represents a proportionate interest in the issuing companies. Therefore, the Fund participates in the success or failure of any company in which it holds stock. The market values of common stock can fluctuate significantly, reflecting the business performance of the issuing company, investor perception and general economic and financial market movements. Despite the risk of price volatility, however, common stocks have historically offered a greater potential for long-term gain on investment, compared to other classes of financial assets such as bonds or cash equivalents, although there can be no assurance that this will be true in the future. Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities, that is, bonds, notes, debentures, preferred stocks and other securities which are convertible into common stock. Investments in convertible securities can provide an opportunity for capital appreciation and/or income through interest and dividend payments by virtue of their conversion or exchange features. The convertible securities in which the Fund may invest are either fixed income or zero coupon debt securities which may be converted or exchanged at a stated or determinable exchange ratio into underlying shares of common stock. The exchange ratio for any particular convertible security may be adjusted from time to time due to stock splits, dividends, spin-offs, other corporate distributions or scheduled changes in the exchange ratio. Convertible 3 debt securities and convertible preferred stocks, until converted, have general characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. Although to a lesser extent than with debt securities generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion or exchange feature, the market value of convertible securities typically changes as the market value of the underlying common stocks changes, and, therefore, also tends to follow movements in the general market for equity securities. A unique feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock, although typically not as much as the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer. As debt securities, convertible securities are investments which provide for a stream of income (or in the case of zero coupon securities, accretion of income) with generally higher yields than common stocks. Convertible securities generally offer lower yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality because of their conversion or exchange features. Of course, like all debt securities, there can be no assurance of income or principal payments because the issuers of the convertible securities may default on their obligations. Convertible securities generally are subordinated to other similar but non-convertible securities of the same issuer, although convertible bonds, as corporate debt obligations, enjoy seniority in right of payment to all equity securities, and convertible preferred stock is senior to common stock, of the same issuer. However, because of the subordination feature, convertible bonds and convertible preferred stock typically have lower ratings than similar non-convertible securities. Convertible securities may be issued as fixed income obligations that pay current income or as zero coupon notes and bonds, including Liquid Yield Option Notes ("LYONs"(TM). Debt Securities. When the Advisor believes that it is appropriate to do so in order to achieve the Fund's objective of long-term capital appreciation, the Fund may invest in debt securities, including bonds of private issuers. Portfolio debt investments will be selected on the basis of, among other things, credit quality, and the fundamental outlooks for currency, economic and interest rate trends, taking into account the ability to hedge a degree of currency or local bond price risk. The Fund may purchase "investment-grade" bonds, rated Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody's or AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Advisor. The principal risks involved with investments in bonds include interest rate risk, credit risk and pre-payment risk. Interest rate risk refers to the likely decline in the value of bonds as interest rates rise. Generally, longer-term securities are more susceptible to changes in value as a result of interest-rate changes than are shorter-term securities. Credit risk refers to the risk that an issuer of a bond may default with respect to the payment of principal and interest. The lower a bond is rated, the more it is considered to be a speculative or risky investment. Pre-payment risk is commonly associated with pooled debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities and asset backed securities, but may affect other debt securities as well. When the underlying debt obligations are prepaid ahead of schedule, the return on the security will be lower than expected. Pre-payment rates usually increase when interest rates are falling. Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in sponsored or unsponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), International Depositary Receipts ("IDRs") and other types of Depositary Receipts (which, together with ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and IDRs are hereinafter referred to as "Depositary Receipts"). Depositary receipts provide indirect investment in securities of foreign issuers. Prices of unsponsored Depositary Receipts may be more volatile than if they were sponsored by the issuer of the underlying securities. Depositary Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the issuers of the stock of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. 4 ADRs are Depositary Receipts which are bought and sold in the United States and are typically issued by a US bank or trust company, which evidence ownership of underlying securities by a foreign corporation. GDRs, IDRs and other types of Depositary Receipts are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they may also be issued by United States banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or a United States corporation. Generally, Depositary Receipts in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities markets and Depositary Receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United States. For purposes of the Fund's investment policies, the Fund's investments in ADRs, GDRs and other types of Depositary Receipts will be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities. Depositary Receipts, including those denominated in US dollars, will be subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. However, by investing in US dollar-denominated ADRs rather than directly in foreign issuers' stock, the Fund avoids currency risks during the settlement period. In general, there is a large, liquid market in the United States for most ADRs. However, certain Depositary Receipts may not be listed on an exchange and therefore may be illiquid securities. Dollar Roll Transactions. Dollar roll transactions consist of the sale by the Fund to a bank or broker/dealer (the "counterparty") of GNMA certificates or other mortgage-backed securities together with a commitment to purchase from the counterparty similar, but not identical, securities at a future date, at the same price. The counterparty receives all principal and interest payments, including prepayments, made on the security while it is the holder. The Fund receives a fee from the counterparty as consideration for entering into the commitment to purchase. Dollar rolls may be renewed over a period of several months with a different purchase and repurchase price fixed and a cash settlement made at each renewal without physical delivery of securities. Moreover, the transaction may be preceded by a firm commitment agreement pursuant to which the Fund agrees to buy a security on a future date. The Fund will segregate cash, US Government securities or other liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet their purchase obligations under the transactions. The Fund will also maintain asset coverage of at least 300% for all outstanding firm commitments, dollar rolls and other borrowings. Dollar rolls may be treated for purposes of the 1940 Act as borrowings of the Fund because they involve the sale of a security coupled with an agreement to repurchase. Like all borrowings, a dollar roll involves costs to the Fund. For example, while the Fund receives a fee as consideration for agreeing to repurchase the security, the Fund forgoes the right to receive all principal and interest payments while the counterparty holds the security. These payments to the counterparty may exceed the fee received by the Fund, thereby effectively charging the Fund interest on its borrowing. Further, although the Fund can estimate the amount of expected principal prepayment over the term of the dollar roll, a variation in the actual amount of prepayment could increase or decrease the cost of the Fund's borrowing. The entry into dollar rolls involves potential risks of loss that are different from those related to the securities underlying the transactions. For example, if the counterparty becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to purchase from the counterparty might be restricted. Additionally, the value of such securities may change adversely before the Fund is able to purchase them. Similarly, the fund may be required to purchase securities in connection with a dollar roll at a higher price than may otherwise be available on the open market. Since, as noted above, the counterparty is required to deliver a similar, but not identical security to the Fund, the security that the Fund is required to buy under the dollar roll may be worth less than an identical security. Finally, there can be no assurance that the Fund's use of the cash that they receive from a dollar roll will provide a return that exceeds borrowing costs. Foreign Securities. Investments in foreign securities involves certain special considerations, including those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in US securities and which may favorably or unfavorably affect the Fund's performance. As foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Many foreign stock markets, while growing in volume of trading activity, have substantially less volume than the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "Exchange"), and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of domestic companies. 5 Similarly, volume and liquidity in most foreign bond markets is less than in the US and at times, volatility of price can be greater than in the US. Further, foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems either could result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in a possible liability to the purchaser. Payment for securities without delivery may be required in certain foreign markets. Fixed commissions on some foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on US exchanges, although the Fund will endeavor to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. Further, the Fund may encounter difficulties or be unable to pursue legal remedies and obtain judgments in foreign courts. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the US. It may be more difficult for the Fund's agents to keep currently informed about corporate actions such as stock dividends or other matters which may affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications between the US and foreign countries may be less reliable than within the US, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect US investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the US economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. The management of the Fund seeks to mitigate the risks associated with the foregoing considerations through diversification and continuous professional management. Because investments in foreign securities will usually involve currencies of foreign countries, and because the Fund may hold foreign currencies and forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts"), futures contracts and options on futures contracts on foreign currencies, the value of the assets of the Fund as measured in US dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations, and the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of US dollars, it does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into US dollars on a daily basis. It will do so from time to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread") between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward contracts (or options thereon) to purchase or sell foreign currencies. (See "Strategic Transactions and Derivatives" below.) Illiquid Securities and Restricted Securities. The Fund may purchase securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale ("restricted securities"). Generally speaking, restricted securities may be sold (i) only to qualified institutional buyers; (ii) in a privately negotiated transaction to a limited number of purchasers; (iii) in limited quantities after they have been held for a specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an exemption from registration; or (iv) in a public offering for which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Issuers of restricted securities may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Restricted securities are often illiquid, but they may also be liquid. For example, restricted securities that are eligible for resale under Rule 144A are often deemed to be liquid. The Fund's Board has approved guidelines for use by the Advisor in determining whether a security is liquid or illiquid. Among the factors the Advisor may consider in reaching liquidity decisions relating to Rule 144A securities are: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers wishing to purchase 6 or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (4) the nature of the security and the nature of the market for the security (i.e., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of the transfer). Issuers of restricted securities may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirement that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Where a registration statement is required for the resale of restricted securities, the Fund may be required to bear all or part of the registration expenses. The Fund may be deemed to be an "underwriter" for purposes of the 1933 Act, when selling restricted securities to the public and, in such event, the Fund may be liable to purchasers of such securities if the registration statement prepared by the issuer is materially inaccurate or misleading. The Fund may also purchase securities that are not subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, but that are deemed illiquid. Such securities may be illiquid, for example, because there is a limited trading market for them. The Fund may be unable to sell a restricted or illiquid security. In addition, it may be more difficult to determine a market value for restricted or illiquid securities. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between the Fund's decision to sell a restricted or illiquid security and the point at which the Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell. This investment practice, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity of the Fund. Impact of Large Redemptions and Purchases of Fund shares. From time to time, shareholders of the Fund may make relatively large redemptions or purchases of Fund shares. These transactions may cause the Fund to have to sell securities or invest additional cash, as the case may be. While it is impossible to predict the overall impact of these transactions over time, there could be adverse effects on the Fund's performance to the extent that the Fund may be required to sell securities or invest cash at times when it would not otherwise do so. These transactions could also accelerate the realization of taxable income if sales of securities resulted in gains and could also increase transaction costs. IPO Risk. Securities issued through an initial public offering (IPO) can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price. Information about the issuers of IPO securities is also difficult to acquire since they are new to the market and may not have lengthy operating histories. The Fund may engage in short-term trading in connection with its IPO investments, which could produce higher trading costs and adverse tax consequences. The number of securities issued in an IPO is limited, so it is likely that IPO securities will represent a smaller component of the Fund's portfolio as the Fund's assets increase (and thus have a more limited effect on the Fund's performance). Interfund Borrowing and Lending Program. The Trust has received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which permits the Fund to participate in an interfund lending program among certain investment companies advised by the Advisor. The interfund lending program allows the participating funds to borrow money from and loan money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The program is subject to a number of conditions designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all participating funds, including the following: (1) no fund may borrow money through the program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than a rate approximating the lowest interest rate at which bank loans would be available to any of the participating funds under a loan agreement; and (2) no fund may lend money through the program unless it receives a more favorable return than that available from an investment in repurchase agreements and, to the extent applicable, money market cash sweep arrangements. In addition, the Fund may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the fund's investment objectives and policies (for instance, money market funds would normally participate only as lenders and tax exempt funds only as borrowers). Interfund loans and borrowings may extend overnight, but could have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one day's notice. The Fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional costs. The program is subject to the oversight and periodic review of the 7 Board of the participating fund. To the extent the Fund is actually engaged in borrowing through the interfund lending program, the fund will comply with its non-fundamental policy on borrowing. Investment of Uninvested Cash Balances. The Fund may have cash balances that have not been invested in portfolio securities ("Uninvested Cash"). Uninvested Cash may result from a variety of sources, including dividends or interest received from portfolio securities, unsettled securities transactions, reserves held for investment strategy purposes, scheduled maturity of investments, liquidation of investment securities to meet anticipated redemptions and dividend payments, and new cash received from investors. Uninvested Cash may be invested directly in money market instruments or other short-term debt obligations. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund may use Uninvested Cash to purchase shares of affiliated funds including money market funds, short-term bond funds and Cash Management QP Trust, or one or more future entities for which the Advisor acts as trustee or investment advisor that operate as cash management investment vehicles and that are excluded from the definition of investment company pursuant to Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (collectively, the "Central Funds") in excess of the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Investment by the Fund in shares of the Central Funds will be in accordance with the Fund's investment policies and restrictions as set forth in its registration statement. Certain of the Central Funds comply with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The other Central Funds are or will be short-term bond funds that invest in fixed-income securities and maintain a dollar weighted average maturity of three years or less. Each of the Central Funds will be managed specifically to maintain a highly liquid portfolio, and access to them will enhance the Fund's ability to manage Uninvested Cash. The Fund will invest Uninvested Cash in Central Funds only to the extent that the Fund's aggregate investment in the Central Funds does not exceed 25% of its total assets. Purchase and sales of shares of Central Funds are made at net asset value. Investment Company Securities. The Fund may acquire securities of other investment companies to the extent consistent with its investment objective and subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. For example, the Fund may invest in a variety of investment companies which seek to track the composition and performance of specific indexes or a specific portion of an index. These index-based investments hold substantially all of their assets in securities representing their specific index. Accordingly, the main risk of investing in index-based investments is the same as investing in a portfolio of equity securities comprising the index. The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the market value of their underlying portfolio securities and due to supply and demand for the instruments on the exchanges on which they are traded (which may result in their trading at a discount or premium to their NAVs). Index-based investments may not replicate exactly the performance of their specified index because of transaction costs and because of the temporary unavailability of certain component securities of the index. Examples of index-based investments include: SPDRs(R): SPDRs, an acronym for "Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts," are based on the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index. They are issued by the SPDR Trust, a unit investment trust that holds shares of substantially all the companies in the S&P 500 in substantially the same weighting and seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of the Index. MidCap SPDRs(R): MidCap SPDRs are based on the S&P MidCap 400 Index. They are issued by the MidCap SPDR Trust, a unit investment trust that holds a portfolio of securities consisting of substantially all of the common stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index in substantially the same weighting and seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of the Index. Select Sector SPDRs(R): Select Sector SPDRs are based on a particular sector or group of industries that are represented by a specified Select Sector Index within the Standard & Poor's Composite Stock Price Index. They are 8 issued by The Select Sector SPDR Trust, an open-end management investment company with nine portfolios that each seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of a particular Select Sector Index. DIAMONDS(SM): DIAMONDS are based on the Dow Jones Industrial Average(SM). They are issued by the DIAMONDS Trust, a unit investment trust that holds a portfolio of all the component common stocks of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of the Dow. Nasdaq-100 Shares: Nasdaq-100 Shares are based on the Nasdaq 100 Index. They are issued by the Nasdaq-100 Trust, a unit investment trust that holds a portfolio consisting of substantially all of the securities, in substantially the same weighting, as the component stocks of the Nasdaq-100 Index and seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of the Index. WEBs(SM): WEBs, an acronym for "World Equity Benchmark Shares," are based on 17 country-specific Morgan Stanley Capital International Indexes. They are issued by the WEBs Index Fund, Inc., an open-end management investment company that seeks to generally correspond to the price and yield performance of a specific Morgan Stanley Capital International Index. Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend its investment securities to approved institutional borrowers who need to borrow securities in order to complete certain transactions, such as covering short sales, avoiding failures to deliver securities or completing arbitrage operations. By lending its investment securities, the Fund attempts to increase its net investment income through the receipt of interest on the loan. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would belong to the Fund. The Fund may lend its investment securities so long as the terms, structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder, which currently require that (a) the borrower pledge and maintain with the Fund collateral consisting of liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at all times not less than 100% of the value of the securities loaned, (b) the borrower add to such collateral whenever the price of the securities loaned rises (i.e., the borrower "marks to the market" on a daily basis), (c) the loan be made subject to termination by the Fund at any time, and (d) the Fund receives reasonable interest on the loan (which may include the Fund investing any cash collateral in interest bearing short-term investments), and distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in their market value. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers selected by the Fund's delegate after a commercially reasonable review of relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. At the present time, the staff of the SEC does not object if an investment company pays reasonable negotiated fees in connection with loaned securities, so long as such fees are set forth in a written contract and approved by the investment company's Board of Trustees/Directors. In addition, voting rights may pass with the loaned securities, but if a material event occurs affecting an investment on loan, the loan must be called and the securities voted. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the SEC, cash collateral received by the Fund may be invested in a money market fund managed by the Advisor (or one of its affiliates). Privatized Enterprises. Investments in foreign securities may include securities issued by enterprises that have undergone or are currently undergoing privatization. The governments of certain foreign countries have, to varying degrees, embarked on privatization programs contemplating the sale of all or part of their interests in state enterprises. The Fund's investments in the securities of privatized enterprises may include privately negotiated investments in a government or state-owned or controlled company or enterprise that has not yet conducted an initial equity offering, investments in the initial offering of equity securities of a state enterprise or former state enterprise and investments in the securities of a state enterprise following its initial equity offering. In certain jurisdictions, the ability of foreign entities, such as the Fund, to participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, or the price or terms on which the Fund may be able to participate may be less advantageous than for local investors. Moreover, there can be no assurance that governments that have embarked on privatization programs will continue to divest their ownership of state enterprises, that proposed privatizations will be successful or that governments will not re-nationalize enterprises that have been privatized. 9 In the case of the enterprises in which the Fund may invest, large blocks of the stock of those enterprises may be held by a small group of stockholders, even after the initial equity offerings by those enterprises. The sale of some portion or all of those blocks could have an adverse effect on the price of the stock of any such enterprise. Prior to making an initial equity offering, most state enterprises or former state enterprises go through an internal reorganization or management. Such reorganizations are made in an attempt to better enable these enterprises to compete in the private sector. However, certain reorganizations could result in a management team that does not function as well as an enterprise's prior management and may have a negative effect on such enterprise. In addition, the privatization of an enterprise by its government may occur over a number of years, with the government continuing to hold a controlling position in the enterprise even after the initial equity offering for the enterprise. Prior to privatization, most of the state enterprises in which the Fund may invest enjoy the protection of and receive preferential treatment from the respective sovereigns that own or control them. After making an initial equity offering, these enterprises may no longer have such protection or receive such preferential treatment and may become subject to market competition from which they were previously protected. Some of these enterprises may not be able to operate effectively in a competitive market and may suffer losses or experience bankruptcy due to such competition. Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs"). The Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are sometimes informally characterized as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Investment in REITs may subject the Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, such as decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and other risks related to local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Equity REITs generally experience these risks directly through fee or leasehold interests, whereas mortgage REITs generally experience these risks indirectly through mortgage interests, unless the mortgage REIT forecloses on the underlying real estate. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of the Fund's investment in REITs. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, certain mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by those REITs. Certain REITs have relatively small market capitalizations, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of their securities. Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") and to maintain exemption from the registration requirements of the 1940 Act. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his or her proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund's, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs. In addition, REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders. Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements pursuant to its investment guidelines. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires ownership of a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller, typically a bank or broker/dealer. A repurchase agreement provides a means for the Fund to earn income on funds for periods as short as overnight. It is an arrangement under which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires a security ("Obligation") and the seller agrees, at the time of sale, to repurchase the Obligation at a specified time and price. Securities subject to a repurchase agreement are held in a segregated account and the value of such securities is kept at least equal to the repurchase price on a daily basis. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Fund together with the repurchase price upon repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the Obligation itself. Obligations will be held by the custodian or in the Federal Reserve Book Entry System. 10 It is not clear whether a court would consider the Obligation purchased by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by that fund or as being collateral for a loan by that fund to the seller. In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the Obligation before repurchase of the Obligation under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or decline in price of the Obligation. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the Obligation, that fund may be required to return the Obligation to the seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt Obligation purchased for the Fund, the Advisor seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the seller of the Obligation. Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the Obligation, in which case the Fund may incur a loss if the proceeds to that fund of the sale to a third party are less than the repurchase price. However, if the market value (including interest) of the Obligation subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the Obligation to deliver additional securities so that the market value (including interest) of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into "reverse repurchase agreements," which are repurchase agreements in which the Fund, as the seller of the securities, agrees to repurchase them at an agreed upon time and price. The Fund maintains a segregated account in connection with outstanding reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only when the Advisor believes that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction will be greater than the interest expense of the transaction. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of the Fund's assets and may be viewed as a form of leverage. Warrants. The Fund may invest in warrants up to 5% of the value of its total assets. The holder of a warrant has the right, until the warrant expires, to purchase a given number of shares of a particular issuer at a specified price. Such investments can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security. Prices of warrants do not necessarily move, however, in tandem with the prices of the underlying securities and are, therefore, considered to be speculative investments. Warrants pay no dividends and confer no rights other than a purchase option. Thus, if a warrant held by the Fund were not exercised by the date of its expiration, the Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the warrant. Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities, which pay no cash income and are sold at substantial discounts from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire income, which consists of accretion of discount, comes from the difference between the issue price and their value at maturity. Zero coupon securities are subject to greater market value fluctuations from changing interest rates than debt obligations of comparable maturities which make current distributions of interest (cash). Zero coupon securities which are convertible into common stock offer the opportunity for capital appreciation as increases (or decreases) in market value of such securities closely follow the movements in the market value of the underlying common stock. Zero coupon convertible securities generally are expected to be less volatile than the underlying common stocks as they usually are issued with maturities of 15 years or less and are issued with options and/or redemption features exercisable by the holder of the obligation entitling the holder to redeem the obligation and receive a defined cash payment. Zero coupon securities include municipal securities, securities issued directly by the US Treasury, and US Treasury bonds or notes and their unmatured interest coupons and receipts for their underlying principal ("coupons") which have been separated by their holder, typically a custodian bank or investment brokerage firm, from the underlying principal (the "corpus") of the US Treasury security. A number of securities firms and banks have stripped the interest coupons and receipts and then resold them in custodial receipt programs with a number of different names, including Treasury Income Growth Receipts ("TIGRS(TM)") and Certificate of Accrual on Treasuries ("CATS(TM)"). The underlying US Treasury bonds and notes themselves are held in book-entry form at the Federal Reserve Bank or, in the case of bearer securities (i.e., unregistered securities which are owned ostensibly by the bearer or holder thereof), in trust on behalf of the owners thereof. Counsel to the underwriters of these certificates or other evidences 11 of ownership of the US Treasury securities have stated that, for federal tax and securities purposes, in their opinion purchasers of such certificates, such as the Fund, most likely will be deemed the beneficial holder of the underlying US Government securities. The Fund intends to adhere to the current SEC staff position that privately stripped obligations should not be considered US Government securities for the purpose of determining if the Fund is "diversified" under the 1940 Act. The US Treasury has facilitated transfers of ownership of zero coupon securities by accounting separately for the beneficial ownership of particular interest coupon and corpus payments on Treasury securities through the Federal Reserve book-entry record-keeping system. The Federal Reserve program, as established by the Treasury Department, is known as "STRIPS" or "Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities." Under the STRIPS program, the Fund will be able to have its beneficial ownership of zero coupon securities recorded directly in the book-entry record-keeping system in lieu of having to hold certificates or other evidences of ownership of the underlying US Treasury securities. When US Treasury obligations have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons by the holder, the principal or corpus is sold at a deep discount because the buyer receives only the right to receive a future fixed payment on the security and does not receive any rights to periodic interest (cash) payments. Once stripped or separated, the corpus and coupons may be sold separately. Typically, the coupons are sold separately or grouped with other coupons with like maturity dates and sold bundled in such form. Purchasers of stripped obligations acquire, in effect, discount obligations that are economically identical to the zero coupon securities that the Treasury sells. Strategic Transactions and Derivatives. The Fund may, but is not required to, utilize various other investment strategies as described below for a variety of purposes, such as hedging various market risks, managing the effective maturity or duration of fixed-income securities in the Fund's portfolio, or enhancing potential gain. These strategies may be executed through the use of derivative contracts. In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other instruments, purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon, enter into various transactions such as swaps, caps, floors, collars, currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currencies, or currency futures and various other currency transactions (collectively, all the above are called "Strategic Transactions"). In addition, Strategic Transactions may also include new techniques, instruments or strategies that are permitted as regulatory changes occur. Strategic Transactions may be used without limit (subject to certain limits imposed by the 1940 Act) to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund's portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations, to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund's portfolio, or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. Some Strategic Transactions may also be used to enhance potential gain although no more than 5% of the Fund's assets will be committed to certain Strategic Transactions entered into for non-hedging purposes. Any or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and in any combination, and there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as use of any Strategic Transaction is a function of numerous variables including market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Advisor's ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and instruments. Strategic Transactions will not be used to alter fundamental investment purposes and characteristics of the Fund, and the Fund will segregate assets (or as provided by applicable regulations, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options, futures and swaps to limit leveraging of the Fund. Strategic Transactions, including derivative contracts, have risks associated with them including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Advisor's view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than (in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of call 12 options) current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements, or the inability to deliver or receive a specified currency. The use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position of the Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be greater than gains in the value of the Fund's position. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce net asset value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the Strategic Transactions had not been utilized. General Characteristics of Options. Put options and call options typically have similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed in greater detail below. In addition, many Strategic Transactions involving options require segregation of fund assets in special accounts, as described below under "Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts." A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price. For instance, the Fund's purchase of a put option on a security might be designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value by giving the fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price. The Fund's purchase of a call option on a security, financial future, index, currency or other instrument might be intended to protect the fund against an increase in the price of the underlying instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase such instrument. An American style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell exchange listed options and over-the-counter options ("OTC options"). Exchange listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such options. The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other financial intermediaries. With certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency, although in the future cash settlement may become available. Index options and Eurodollar instruments are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is "in-the-money" (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option. The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option 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 including reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or 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 relevant market for that option on that exchange would 13 cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets. OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions or other parties ("Counterparties") through direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price, premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties. The Fund will only sell OTC options (other than OTC currency options) that are subject to a buy-back provision permitting the fund to require the Counterparty to sell the option back to the fund at a formula price within seven days. The Fund expects generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions, although it is not required to do so. Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with the fund or fails to make a cash settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the fund will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Accordingly, the Advisor must assess the creditworthiness of each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty's credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only with US government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as "primary dealers" or broker/dealers, domestic or foreign banks or other financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the obligation of which have received) a short-term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or P-1 from Moody's or an equivalent rating from any nationally recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO") or, in the case of OTC currency transactions, are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Advisor. The staff of the SEC currently takes the position that OTC options purchased by the fund, and portfolio securities "covering" the amount of the fund's obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) are illiquid, and are subject to the Fund's limitation on investing no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will increase the fund's income. The sale of put options can also provide income. The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities including US Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar instruments that are traded on US and foreign securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets, and on securities indices, currencies and futures contracts. All calls sold by the fund must be "covered" (i.e., the fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call) or must meet the asset segregation requirements described below as long as the call is outstanding. Even though the fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the fund to hold a security or instrument which it might otherwise have sold. The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities including US Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar instruments (whether or not it holds the above securities in its portfolio), and on securities indices, currencies and futures contracts other than futures on individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. The Fund will not sell put options if, as a result, more than 50% of the Fund's total assets would be required to be segregated to cover its potential obligations under such put options other than those with respect to futures and options thereon. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price. 14 General Characteristics of Futures. The Fund may enter into futures contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge against anticipated interest rate, currency or equity market changes, and for duration management, risk management and return enhancement purposes. Futures are generally bought and sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures and Eurodollar instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver such position. The Fund has claimed exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" adapted by the CFTC and the National Futures Association, which regulate trading in the futures markets. Therefore, the Fund is not subject to commodity pool operator registration and regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act. Futures and options on futures may be entered into for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration management) or other portfolio and return enhancement management purposes to the extent consistent with the exclusion from commodity pool operator registration. Typically, maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount of cash or other specified assets (initial margin) which initially is typically 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the mark to market value of the contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated to post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any position. Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting transaction but there can be no assurance that the position can be offset prior to settlement at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will occur. Options on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices. The Fund also may purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities or other instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except if, in the case of an OTC option, physical delivery is specified). This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities. Currency Transactions. The Fund may engage in currency transactions with counterparties primarily in order to hedge, or manage the risk of the value of portfolio holdings denominated in particular currencies against fluctuations in relative value. Currency transactions include forward currency contracts, exchange listed currency futures, exchange listed and OTC options on currencies, and currency swaps. A forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the notional difference among two or more currencies and operates similarly to an interest rate swap, which is described below. The Fund may enter into currency transactions with counterparties which have received (or the guarantors of the obligations which have received) a credit rating of A-1 or P-1 by S&P or Moody's, respectively, or that have an equivalent rating from a NRSRO or (except for OTC currency options) are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Advisor. The Fund's dealings in forward currency contracts and other currency transactions such as futures, options, options on futures and swaps generally will be limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio 15 positions except as described below. Transaction hedging is entering into a currency transaction with respect to specific assets or liabilities of the fund, which will generally arise in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities or the receipt of income therefrom. Position hedging is entering into a currency transaction with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or generally quoted in that currency. The Fund generally will not enter into a transaction to hedge currency exposure to an extent greater, after netting all transactions intended wholly or partially to offset other transactions, than the aggregate market value (at the time of entering into the transaction) of the securities held in its portfolio that are denominated or generally quoted in or currently convertible into such currency, other than with respect to proxy hedging or cross hedging as described below. The Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value relative to other currencies to which the fund has or in which the Fund expects to have portfolio exposure. To reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing or anticipated holdings of portfolio securities, the fund may also engage in proxy hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund's portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy hedging entails entering into a commitment or option to sell a currency whose changes in value are generally considered to be correlated to a currency or currencies in which some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities are or are expected to be denominated, in exchange for US dollars. The amount of the commitment or option would not exceed the value of the Fund's securities denominated in correlated currencies. Currency hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses to the fund if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction that is not anticipated. Further, there is the risk that the perceived correlation between various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the particular time that the fund is engaging in proxy hedging. If the Fund enters into a currency hedging transaction, the Fund will comply with the asset segregation requirements described below. Risks of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are subject to risks different from those of other portfolio transactions. Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and related instruments can be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These can result in losses to the fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or funds in settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the same risks that apply to the use of futures generally. Further, settlement of a currency futures contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation. Trading options on currency futures is relatively new, and the ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid market which may not always be available. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate based on factors extrinsic to that country's economy. Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. Among the Strategic Transactions into which the Fund may enter are interest rate, currency, index and other swaps and the purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique or to protect 16 against any increase in the price of securities the fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund will not sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own securities or other instruments providing the income stream the fund may be obligated to pay. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among them and an index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such cap to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates or values. Eurodollar Instruments. The Fund may make investments in Eurodollar instruments. Eurodollar instruments are US dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The Fund might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments are linked. Risks of Strategic Transactions Outside the US. When conducted outside the US, Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the US, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the US of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the US, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the US, and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity. Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate transactions and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate transactions ("component" transactions), instead of a single Strategic Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Advisor, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Advisor's judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective. Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts. Many Strategic Transactions, in addition to other requirements, require that the Fund segregate cash or liquid assets with its custodian to the extent fund obligations are not otherwise "covered" through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or, subject to any regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid assets at least equal to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the custodian. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. For example, a call option written by the fund will require the Fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional consideration) or to segregate cash or liquid assets sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the call is exercised. A call option sold by the Fund on an index will require the Fund to own portfolio securities which correlate with the index or to segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the excess of the index value over the exercise price on a current basis. A put option written by the Fund requires the Fund to segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the exercise price. 17 Except when the Fund enters into a forward contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a particular currency, which requires no segregation, a currency contract which obligates the Fund to buy or sell currency will generally require the Fund to hold an amount of that currency or liquid assets denominated in that currency equal to the Fund's obligations or to segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the amount of the Fund's obligation. OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities, currency, financial instruments or indices and OCC issued and exchange listed index options, will generally provide for cash settlement. As a result, when the Fund sells these instruments it will only segregate an amount of cash or liquid assets equal to its accrued net obligations, as there is no requirement for payment or delivery of amounts in excess of the net amount. These amounts will equal 100% of the exercise price in the case of a non cash-settled put, the same as an OCC guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or the in-the-money amount plus any sell-back formula amount in the case of a cash-settled put or call. In addition, when the Fund sells a call option on an index at a time when the in-the-money amount exceeds the exercise price, the Fund will segregate, until the option expires or is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to such excess. OCC issued and exchange listed options sold by the Fund other than those above generally settle with physical delivery, or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement and the Fund will segregate an amount of cash or liquid assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC options settling with physical delivery or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement will be treated the same as other options settling with physical delivery. In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to segregating cash or liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based futures contract. Such liquid assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets. With respect to swaps, the Fund will accrue the net amount of the excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid assets having a value equal to the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars require segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund's net obligation, if any. Strategic Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets, equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and Strategic Transactions. For example, the Fund could purchase a put option if the strike price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option sold by the fund. Moreover, instead of segregating cash or liquid assets if the Fund held a futures or forward contract, it could purchase a put option on the same futures or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held. Other Strategic Transactions may also be offset in combinations. If the offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or after the primary transaction no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior to such time, cash or liquid assets equal to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated. Portfolio Holdings Information In addition to the public disclosure of fund portfolio holdings through required SEC quarterly filings, the Fund may make its portfolio holdings information publicly available on the DWS Funds Web site as described in the Fund's prospectus. The Fund does not disseminate non-public information about portfolio holdings except in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. The Fund's procedures permit non-public portfolio holdings information to be shared with Deutsche Asset Management, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively "DeAM"), subadvisors, if any, custodians, independent registered public accounting firms, attorneys, officers and trustees/directors and each of their respective affiliates and advisers, who require access to this information to fulfill their duties to the Fund and are subject to the duties of confidentiality, including the duty not to trade on non-public information, imposed by law or contract, or by the Fund's procedures. This non-public information may also be disclosed, subject to the requirements described below, to securities lending agents, financial printers, proxy voting firms, mutual fund analysts and rating and 18 tracking agencies, or to shareholders in connection with in-kind redemptions (collectively, "Authorized Third Parties). Prior to any disclosure of the Fund's non-public portfolio holdings information to Authorized Third Parties, a person authorized by the Fund's Trustees must make a good faith determination in light of the facts then known that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for providing the information, that the disclosure is in the best interest of the Fund, and that the recipient assents or otherwise has a duty to keep the information confidential and to not trade based on the information received while the information remains non-public. No compensation is received by the Fund or DeAM for disclosing non-public holdings information. Periodic reports regarding these procedures will be provided to the Fund's Trustees. Portfolio holdings information distributed by the trading desks of DeAM or a subadvisor for the purpose of facilitating efficient trading of such securities and receipt of relevant research is not subject to the foregoing requirements. Non-public portfolio holding information does not include portfolio characteristics (other than holdings or subsets of holdings) about the Fund and information derived therefrom, including, but not limited to, how the Fund's investments are divided among various sectors, industries, countries, value and growth stocks, bonds, currencies and cash, types of bonds, bond maturities, duration, bond coupons and bond credit quality ratings so long as the Fund's holdings could not be derived from such information. Registered investment companies that are subadvised by DeAM may be subject to different portfolio holdings disclosure policies, and neither DeAM nor the Fund's Trustees exercise control over such policies. In addition, separate account clients of DeAM have access to their portfolio holdings and are not subject to the Fund's portfolio holdings disclosure policy. The portfolio holdings of some of the funds subadvised by DeAM and some of the separate accounts managed by DeAM may substantially overlap with the portfolio holdings of the Fund. DeAM also manages certain unregistered commingled trusts and creates model portfolios, the portfolio holdings of which may substantially overlap with the portfolio holdings of the Fund. To the extent that investors in these commingled trusts or recipients of model portfolio holdings information may receive portfolio holdings information of their trust or of a model portfolio on a different basis from that on which fund portfolio holdings information is made public, DeAM has implemented procedures reasonably designed to encourage such investors and recipients to keep such information confidential, and to prevent those investors from trading on the basis of non-public holdings information. There is no assurance that the Fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of portfolio holdings information by those in possession of that information. 19 MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND Investment Advisor Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. DeIM, which is part of Deutsche Asset Management ("DeAM"), is the investment advisor for the Fund. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, DeIM, with headquarters at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York, 10154, makes the Fund's investment decisions, buys and sells 20 securities for the Fund and conducts research that leads to these purchase and sale decisions. The Advisor manages the Fund's daily investment and business affairs subject to the policies established by the Trust's Board of Trustees. DeIM and its predecessors have more than 80 years of experience managing mutual funds and DeIM provides a full range of investment advisory services to institutional and retail clients. The Fund's investment advisor is also responsible for selecting brokers and dealers and for negotiating brokerage commissions and dealer charges. DeAM is the marketing name in the US for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, DeIM, Deutsche Asset Management Inc., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and DWS Trust Company. DeAM is a global asset management organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts and an office network that reaches the world's major investment centers. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight, across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles. DeIM is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services, including investment management, mutual fund, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance. The term "DWS Scudder" is the designation given to the products and services provided by DeAM and its affiliates to the DWS Mutual Funds. The Advisor provides investment counsel for many individuals and institutions, including insurance companies, industrial corporations, and financial and banking organizations, as well as providing investment advice to open- and closed-end SEC registered funds. In certain cases, the investments for the Fund are managed by the same individuals who manage one or more other mutual funds, advised by the Advisor. You should be aware that the Fund is likely to differ from these other mutual funds in size, cash flow pattern and tax matters. Accordingly, the holdings and performance of the Fund can be expected to vary from those of these other mutual funds. The Board and the shareholders recently approved an amended and restated investment management agreement (the "Investment Management Agreement") for the Fund. Effective June 1, 2006, pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Advisor provides continuing investment management of the assets of the Fund. In addition to the investment management of the assets of the Fund, the Advisor determines the investments to be made for the Fund, including what portion of its assets remain uninvested in cash or cash equivalents, and with whom the orders for investments are placed, consistent with the Fund's policies as stated in its Prospectus and SAI, or as adopted by the Fund's Board. The Advisor will also monitor, to the extent not monitored by the Fund's administrator or other agent, the Fund's compliance with its investment and tax guidelines and other compliance policies. The Advisor provides assistance to the Fund's Board in valuing the securities and other instruments held by the Fund, to the extent reasonably required by valuation policies and procedures that may be adopted by the Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, (unless otherwise provided in the agreement or as determined by the Fund's Board and to the extent permitted by applicable law), the Advisor pays the compensation and expenses of all the Board members, officers, and executive employees of the Fund, including the Fund's share of payroll taxes, who are affiliated persons of the Advisor. The Investment Management Agreement provides that the Fund is generally responsible for expenses that include: fees payable to the Advisor; outside legal, accounting or auditing expenses, including with respect to expenses related to negotiation, acquisition or distribution of portfolio investments; maintenance of books and records that are maintained by the Fund, the Fund's custodian, or other agents of the Fund; taxes and governmental fees; fees and expenses of the Fund's accounting agent, custodian, sub-custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend reimbursing agents and registrars; payment for portfolio pricing or valuation services to pricing agents, accountants, bankers and other specialists, if any; brokerage commissions or other costs of acquiring or disposing of any portfolio securities or other instruments of the Fund; and litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. 21 The Investment Management Agreement allows the Advisor to delegate any of its duties under the Agreement to a subadvisor, subject to a majority vote of the Board of the Fund, including a majority of the Board who are not interested persons of the Fund, and, if required by applicable law, subject to a majority vote of the Fund's shareholders. The Investment Management Agreement provides that the Advisor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with matters to which the agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful malfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Advisor in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Advisor of its obligations and duties under the agreement. The Investment Management Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of penalty, by either party or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on 60 days' written notice. The Fund pays the Advisor an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.615% for the first $1.5 billion of average daily net assets, 0.565% of the next $500 million of average daily net assets and 0.515% on net assets thereafter. The fee is payable monthly, provided that the Fund will make such interim payments as may be requested by the Advisor not to exceed 75% of the amount of the fee then accrued on the books of the Fund and unpaid. The advisory fees paid by the Fund for its last three fiscal years ending July 31 are shown in the table below. Fund 2006 2005 2004 - ---- ---- ---- ---- DWS Large Company Growth Fund $2,633,092 $3,168,110 $3,716,723 Through September 30, 2007, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fees and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the Fund's operating expenses at ratios no higher than 2.15% for Class B and Class C shares and 1.02% for Institutional Class shares, excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest, proxy and organizational and offering expenses. Although there can be no assurances that the current waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement will be maintained beyond September 30, 2007, the Advisor has committed to review the continuance of waiver/expense reimbursement arrangements by September 30, 2007. From October 1, 2003 through February 28, 2006, the advisor agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the DWS Large Company Growth Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the fund's operating expenses at 1.05%, for Class A, Class B and Class C shares and 1.21% for Institutional Class shares, excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest, Rule 12b-1 and/or service fees, trustee and trustee counsel fees and organizational and offering expenses. From March 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006, the advisor agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the Fund's operating expenses at rates no higher than 1.46%, 2.21% and 2.21%, for Class A, Class B and Class C shares and 1.21% for Institutional Class shares, respectively, excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest, and organizational and offering expenses. In reviewing the terms of the Investment Management 22 Agreement and in discussions with the Advisor concerning the Investment Management Agreement, the Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the Advisor are represented by independent counsel at the Fund's expense. In addition, the Board and shareholders recently approved a new subadvisor approval policy for the Fund (the "Subadvisor Approval Policy"). The Subadvisor Approval Policy permits the Advisor, subject to the approval of the Board, including a majority of its independent board members, to appoint and replace subadvisors and to amend sub-advisory contracts without obtaining shareholder approval. Under the Subadvisor Approval Policy, the Board, including its independent board members, will continue to evaluate and approve all new sub-advisory contracts between the Advisor and any subadvisor, as well as all changes to any existing sub-advisory contract. The Fund cannot implement the Subadvisor Approval Policy without the SEC either adopting revisions to current rules (as it proposed to do in October 2003) or granting the Fund exemptive relief from existing rules. The Fund and the Advisor would be subject to certain conditions imposed by the SEC (and certain conditions that may be imposed in the future within either exemptive relief or a rule) to ensure that the interests of the Fund and its shareholders are adequately protected whenever the Advisor acts under the Subadvisor Approval Policy, including any shareholder notice requirements. The Advisor may enter into arrangements with affiliates and third party service providers to perform various administrative, back-office and other services relating to client accounts. Such service providers may be located in the US or in non-US jurisdictions. The Agreements may be terminated at any time without payment of penalty by either party on sixty days' written notice and automatically terminate in the event of their assignment. Pursuant to Deutsche Asset Management procedures approved by the Boards on behalf of the DWS funds, proof of claim forms are routinely filed on behalf of the DWS funds by a third party service provider, with certain limited exceptions. The Boards of the DWS funds receive periodic reports regarding the implementation of these procedures. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Compensation of Portfolio Managers The Fund has been advised that the Advisor seeks to offer its investment professionals competitive short-term and long-term compensation. Portfolio managers and research professionals are paid (i) fixed base salaries, which are linked to job function, responsibilities and financial services industry peer comparison and (ii) variable compensation, which is linked to investment performance, individual contributions to the team and DWS Scudder's and Deutsche Bank's financial results. Variable compensation may include a cash bonus incentive and participation in a variety of long-term equity programs (usually in the form of Deutsche Bank equity). Bonus and long-term incentives comprise a greater proportion of total compensation as an investment professional's seniority and compensation levels increase. Top performing investment professionals earn a total compensation package that is highly competitive, including a bonus that is a multiple of their base salary. The amount of equity awarded under the long-term equity programs is generally based on the individual's total compensation package and may comprise from 0%-40% of the total compensation award. As incentive compensation increases, the percentage of compensation awarded in Deutsche Bank equity also increases. Certain senior investment professionals may be subject to a mandatory diverting of a portion of their equity compensation into proprietary mutual funds that they manage. To evaluate its investment professionals, the Advisor uses a Performance Management Process. Objectives evaluated by the process are related to investment performance and generally take into account peer group and benchmark related data. The ultimate goal of this process is to link the performance of investment professionals with client investment objectives and to deliver investment performance that meets or exceeds clients' risk and return objectives. When determining total compensation, the Advisor considers a number of quantitative and qualitative factors such as: o DWS Scudder's 'performance and the performance of Deutsche Asset Management; quantitative measures which include 1, 3 and 5 year pre-tax returns versus benchmark (such as the benchmark used in the prospectus) and appropriate peer group, taking into consideration risk targets. Additionally, the portfolio manager's retail/institutional asset mix is weighted, as appropriate for evaluation purposes. o Qualitative measures include adherence to the investment process and individual contributions to the process, among other things. In addition, the Advisor assesses compliance, risk management and teamwork skills. 31 o Other factors, including contributions made to the investment team as well as adherence to compliance, risk management, and "living the values" of the Advisor, are part of a discretionary component which gives management the ability to reward these behaviors on a subjective basis through bonus incentives. In addition, the Advisor analyzes competitive compensation levels through the use of extensive market data surveys. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed and may be modified each year as appropriate to reflect changes in the market, as well as to adjust the factors used to determine overall compensation to promote good sustained investment performance. Fund Ownership of Portfolio Managers The following table shows the dollar range of shares owned beneficially and of record by each member of the Fund's portfolio management team in the Fund as well as in all DWS Funds as a group (i.e. those funds advised by Deutsche Asset Management or its affiliates), including investments by their immediate family members sharing the same household and amounts invested through retirement and deferred compensation plans. This information is provided as of the Fund's most recent fiscal year end. Name of Dollar Range of Dollar Range of All DWS Portfolio Manager Fund Shares Owned Fund Shares Owned - ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Julie M. Van Cleave $0 Over $1,000,000 Jack A. Zehner $0 $50,001 - $100,000 Thomas J. Schmid $10,001 - $50,000 $100,001 - $500,000 Conflicts of Interest In addition to managing the assets of the Fund, the Fund's portfolio managers may have responsibility for managing other client accounts of the Advisor or its affiliates. The tables below show, for each portfolio manager, the number and asset size of (1) SEC registered investment companies (or series thereof) other than the Fund, (2) pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and (3) other accounts (e.g., accounts managed for individuals or organizations) managed by each portfolio manager. The tables also show the number of performance based fee accounts, as well as the total assets of the accounts for which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account. This information is provided as of the Fund's most recent fiscal year end. Other SEC Registered Investment Companies Managed:
Number of Number of Investment Registered Total Assets of Company Accounts with Total Assets of Name of Investment Registered Performance- Performance-Based Portfolio Manager Companies Investment Companies Based Fee Fee Accounts - ----------------- --------- -------------------- --------- ------------ Julie M. Van Cleave 6 $3,393,732,501 0 0 Jack A. Zehner 6 $3,393,732,501 0 0 Thomas J. Schmid 6 $3,393,732,501 0 0 32 Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Managed: Number of Number of Pooled Pooled Total Assets of Investment Vehicle Total Assets of Name of Investment Pooled Investment Accounts with Performance-Based Portfolio Manager Vehicles Vehicles Performance-Based Fee Fee Accounts - ----------------- -------- -------- --------------------- -------- Julie M. Van Cleave 0 $0 0 0 Jack A. Zehner 0 $0 0 0 Thomas J. Schmid 0 $0 0 0 Other Accounts Managed: Number of Other Total Assets of Name of Number of Accounts with Performance-Based Portfolio Manager Other Accounts Total Assets of Other Accounts Performance-Based Fee Fee Accounts - ----------------- -------------- ------------------------------ --------------------- ------------ Julie M. Van Cleave 14 $1,068,305,457 0 0 Jack A. Zehner 14 $1,068,305,457 0 0 Thomas J. Schmid 14 $1,068,305,457 0 0
In addition to the accounts above, an investment professional may manage accounts in a personal capacity that may include holdings that are similar to, or the same as, those of the Fund. The Advisor has in place a Code of Ethics that is designed to address conflicts of interest and that, among other things, imposes restrictions on the ability of portfolio managers and other "access persons" to invest in securities that may be recommended or traded in the funds and other client accounts. Real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day portfolio management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or account, including the following: o Certain investments may be appropriate for the Fund and also for other clients advised by the Advisor, including other client accounts managed by the Fund's portfolio management team. Investment decisions for the Fund and other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally. A particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or in different amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all clients. Likewise, because clients of the Advisor may have differing investment strategies, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling the security. The investment results achieved for the Fund may differ from the results achieved for other clients of the Advisor. In addition, purchases or sales of the same security may be made for two or more clients on the same day. In such event, such transactions will be allocated among the clients in a manner believed by the Advisor to be most equitable to each client, generally utilizing a pro rata allocation methodology. In some cases, the allocation procedure could potentially have an adverse effect or positive effect on the price or amount of the securities purchased or sold by the Fund. Purchase and sale orders for the Fund may be combined with those of other clients of the Advisor in the interest of achieving the most favorable net results to the Fund and the other clients. o To the extent that a portfolio manager has responsibilities for managing multiple client accounts, a portfolio manager will need to divide time and attention among relevant accounts. The Advisor attempts to minimize these conflicts by aligning its portfolio management teams by investment strategy and by employing similar investment models across multiple client accounts. o In some cases, an apparent conflict may arise where the Advisor has an incentive, such as a performance-based fee, in managing one account and not with respect to other accounts it manages. The Advisor will 33 not determine allocations based on whether it receives a performance-based fee from the client. Additionally, the Advisor has in place supervisory oversight processes to periodically monitor performance deviations for accounts with like strategies. o The Advisor and its affiliates and the investment team of the Funds manage other mutual funds and separate accounts on a long-only basis. The simultaneous management of long and short portfolios creates potential conflicts of interest including the risk that short sale activity could adversely affect the market value of the long positions(and vice versa), the risk arising from sequential orders in long and short positions, and the risks associated with receiving opposing orders at the same time. The Advisor has adopted procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to mitigate these potential conflicts of interest. Included in these procedures are specific guidelines developed to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all clients whose accounts are managed by each Fund's portfolio management team. The Advisor and the portfolio management team have established monitoring procedures, a protocol for supervisory reviews, as well as compliance oversight to ensure that potential conflicts of interest relating to this type of activity are properly addressed. The Advisor is owned by Deutsche Bank AG, a multi-national financial services company. Therefore, the Advisor is affiliated with a variety of entities that provide, and/or engage in commercial banking, insurance, brokerage, investment banking, financial advisory, broker-dealer activities (including sales and trading), hedge funds, real estate and private equity investing, in addition to the provision of investment management services to institutional and individual investors. Since Deutsche Bank AG, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees (the "Firm") are engaged in businesses and have interests other than managing asset management accounts, such other activities involve real, potential or apparent conflicts of interests. These interests and activities include potential advisory, transactional and financial activities and other interests in securities and companies that may be directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Firm for its clients' advisory accounts. These are considerations of which advisory clients should be aware and which may cause conflicts that could be to the disadvantage of the Advisor's advisory clients. The Advisor has instituted business and compliance policies, procedures and disclosures that are designed to identify, monitor and mitigate conflicts of interest and, as appropriate, to report them to the Fund's Board. Administrative Agreement Through March 31, 2004, the Fund operated under an administrative services agreement with the Advisor (each an "Administrative Agreement") pursuant to which the Advisor provided or paid others to provide substantially all of the administrative services required by the Fund (other than those provided by the Advisor under its investment management agreement with the Fund, as described above) in exchange for the payment by the Fund of an administrative services fee (the "Administrative Fee") of 0.325% for Class A, 0.375% for Class B, 0.350% for Class C and 0.275% for Institutional Class of the average daily net assets of the applicable class. Effective April 1, 2004, the Administrative Agreement was terminated. In connection with such termination, the Advisor has agreed to limit expenses. Please refer to the descriptions of the funds' Investment Management Agreement for a discussion of the expense reimbursement/waiver arrangements. Administrative Fees charged to the Fund during the last three fiscal periods of the Administrative Agreement were as follows:
Fund Fiscal 2006 Fiscal 2005 Fiscal 2004* - ---- ----------- ----------- ------------ DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Class A 0 0 $96,660 DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Class B 0 0 $9,245 DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Class C 0 0 $6,784 DWS Large Company Growth Fund -- Institutional Class 0 0 $13,829 34 Fund Fiscal 2006 Fiscal 2005 Fiscal 2004* - ---- ----------- ----------- ------------
* For the fiscal period August 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004 for DWS Large Company Growth Fund. Certain expenses of the Fund were not borne by the Advisor under the Administrative Agreement, such as taxes, brokerage, interest commitment fees, and extraordinary expenses; and the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including the fees and expenses of their independent counsel). In addition, the Fund continued to pay the fees required by its investment management agreement with the Advisor. In addition, pursuant to an agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB"), certain administrative functions were historically delegated to SSB. The costs and expenses of such delegation were borne by the Fund. Effective June 1, 2006, the Fund entered into a new administrative services agreement with the Advisor (the "Administrative Services Agreement"), pursuant to which the Advisor provides administrative services to the Fund, including, among others, providing the Fund with personnel, preparing and making required filings on behalf of the Fund, maintaining books and records for the Fund, and monitoring the valuation of Fund securities. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, of the greater of 0.100% of the Fund's average daily net assets or $50,000. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Advisor is obligated on a continuous basis to provide such administrative services as the Board of the Fund reasonably deems necessary for the proper administration of the Fund. The Advisor provides the Fund with personnel; arranges for the preparation and filing of the Fund's tax returns; prepares and submits reports and meeting materials to the Board and the shareholders; prepares and files updates to the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information as well as other reports required to be filed by the SEC; maintains the Fund's records; provides the Fund with office space, equipment and services; supervises, negotiates the contracts of and monitors the performance of third parties contractors; oversees the tabulation of proxies; monitors the valuation of portfolio securities and monitors compliance with Board-approved valuation procedures; assists in establishing the accounting and tax policies of the Fund; assists in the resolution of accounting issues that may arise with respect to the Fund; establishes and monitors the Fund's operating expense budgets; reviews and processes the Fund's bills; assists in determining the amount of dividends and distributions available to be paid by the Fund, prepares and arranges dividend notifications and provides information to agents to effect payments thereof; provides to the Board periodic and special reports; provides assistance with investor and public relations matters; and monitors the registration of shares under applicable federal and state law. The Advisor also performs certain fund accounting services under the Administrative Services Agreement. The Administrative Services Agreement provides that the Advisor will not be liable under the Administrative Services Agreement except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or from the reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder. For the period from June 1, 2006 through July 31, 2006, the Advisor received an administration fee of $54,803, of which $27,351 is unpaid. Pursuant to an agreement between the Advisor and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the Advisor has delegated certain administrative functions to SSB. The costs and expenses of such delegation are borne by the Advisor, not by the Fund. 35 Codes of Ethics The Funds, the Advisor and the Funds' principal underwriter have each adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. Board members, officers of the Trust and employees of the Advisor and principal underwriter are permitted to make personal securities transactions, including transactions in securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds, subject to requirements and restrictions set forth in the applicable Code of Ethics. The Advisor's Codes of Ethics contains provisions and requirements designed to identify and address certain conflicts of interest between personal investment activities and the interests of the Funds. Among other things, the Advisor's Code of Ethics prohibits certain types of transactions absent prior approval, imposes time periods during which personal transactions may not be made in certain securities, and requires the submission of duplicate broker confirmations and quarterly reporting of securities transactions. Additional restrictions apply to portfolio managers, traders, research analysts and others involved in the investment advisory process. Exceptions to these and other provisions of the Advisor's Code of Ethics may be granted in particular circumstances after review by appropriate personnel. FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS Principal Underwriter Pursuant to the Underwriting and Distribution Services Agreements ("Distribution Agreement"), DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. ("DWS-SDI"), 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606, an affiliate of the Advisor, is the principal underwriter, distributor and administrator for the Class A, Class B, Class C and Institutional Class shares of the Fund, and acts as agent of the Fund in the continuous offering of its Shares. The Distribution Agreement for the Fund, dated April 5, 2002, was last approved by the Trustees on September 28, 2006. The Distribution Agreement continues in effect until September 30, 2007 and from year to year thereafter only if its continuance is approved for each class at least annually by a vote of the Board members of the applicable Fund, including the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Agreement. The Distribution Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment and may be terminated for a class at any time without penalty by the Fund or by DWS-SDI upon 60 days' written notice. Termination by the Fund with respect to a class may be by vote of (i) a majority of the Board members who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution Agreement, or (ii) a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the class of the Fund, as defined under the 1940 Act. All material amendments must be approved by the Board of Trustees in the manner described above with respect to the continuation of the Agreement. The provisions concerning continuation, amendment and termination of a Distribution Agreement are on a series by series and class by class basis. DWS-SDI bears all of its expenses of providing services pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, including the payment of any commissions. The Fund pays the cost for the prospectus and shareholder reports to be typeset and printed for existing shareholders, and DWS-SDI, as principal underwriter, pays for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the offering of shares to prospective investors. DWS-SDI 36 also pays for supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. As indicated under "Purchase and Redemption of Shares," DWS-SDI retains the sales charge upon the purchase of Class A shares and pays or allows concessions or discounts to firms for the sale of the Funds' shares. DWS-SDI receives no compensation from the Funds as principal underwriter for Class A and Institutional Class shares. DWS-SDI receives compensation from the Funds as principal underwriter for Class B, Class C shares. Shareholder and administrative services are provided to the Fund on behalf of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class shareholders, as applicable, under a Shareholder Services Agreement (the "Services Agreement") with DWS-SDI. The Services Agreement continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved for the Fund at least annually by a vote of the Board of the applicable Fund, including the Board members who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Services Agreement. The Services Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment and may be terminated at any time without penalty by the Fund or by DWS-SDI upon 60 days' written notice. Termination with respect to the Class A, B, C or R shares of the Fund may be by a vote of (i) the majority of the Board members of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Services Agreement, or (ii) a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Class A, B, or C shares, as defined under the 1940 Act. The Services Agreement may not be amended for a class to increase materially the fee to be paid by the Fund without approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such class of the Fund, and all material amendments must in any event be approved by the Board of Trustees in the manner described above with respect to the continuation of the Services Agreement. Under the Services Agreement, DWS-SDI may provide or appoint various broker-dealer firms and other service or administrative firms ("firms") to provide information and services to investors in the Fund. Typically, DWS-SDI appoints firms that provide services and facilities for their customers or clients who are investors in the Fund. Firms appointed by DWS-SDI provide such office space and equipment, telephone facilities and personnel as is necessary or beneficial for providing information and services to their clients. Such services and assistance may include, but are not limited to, establishing and maintaining accounts and records, processing purchase and redemption transactions, answering routine inquiries regarding the Fund, providing assistance to clients in changing dividend and investment options, account designations and addresses and such other administrative services as may be agreed upon from time to time and permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation. DWS-SDI bears all of its expenses of providing those services pursuant to the Services Agreement, including the payment of a service fee to firms (as defined below). As indicated below DWS-SDI receives compensation from the Funds for its services under the Services Agreement. Rule 12b-1 Plans The Fund has adopted a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (each a "Rule 12b-1 Plan") that provides for fees payable as an expense of the Class B shares and Class C shares that are used by DWS-SDI to pay for distribution services for those classes. Pursuant to each Rule 12b-1 Plan, shareholder and administrative services are provided to the applicable Fund on behalf of its Class A, B, and C shareholders under the Fund's Services Agreement with DWS-SDI. Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of Fund assets on an ongoing basis, they will, over time, increase the cost of an investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges. The Rule 12b-1 distribution plans for Class B and Class C shares provide alternative methods for paying sales charges and may help funds grow or maintain asset levels to provide operational efficiencies and economies of scale. Rule 12b-1 service plans provide compensation to DWS-SDI or intermediaries for post-sales servicing. Since the Distribution Agreement provides for fees payable as an expense of the Class B shares and Class C shares that are used by DWS-SDI to pay for distribution and services for those classes, the agreement is approved and reviewed separately for the Class B shares and Class C shares in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which regulates the manner in which an investment company may, directly or indirectly, bear the expenses of distributing its shares. The Distribution Agreement and Rule 12b-1 Plans may not be amended to increase the fee to be paid by the Fund with respect to a class 37 without approval by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such class of the Fund. Similarly, the Services Agreement is approved and reviewed separately for the Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares and Class R shares in accordance with Rule 12b-1. If a Rule 12b-1 Plan is terminated in accordance with its terms, the obligation of the Fund to make payments to DWS-SDI pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan will cease and the Fund will not be required to make any payments not previously accrued past the termination date. Thus, there is no legal obligation for a Fund to pay any expenses incurred by DWS-SDI other than fees previously accrued and payable under a Rule 12b-1 Plan, if for any reason the Rule 12b-1 Plan is terminated in accordance with its terms. Future fees under the Rule 12b-1 Plan may or may not be sufficient to cover DWS-SDI for its expenses incurred. On the other hand, under certain circumstances, DWS-SDI might collect in the aggregate over certain periods more in fees under the Rule 12b-1 Plan than it has expended over that same period in providing distribution services for the Fund. In connection with Class B shares, for example, if shares of the Fund were to appreciate (resulting in greater asset base against which Rule 12b-1 fees are charged) and sales of the Fund's shares were to decline (resulting in lower expenditures by DWS-SDI under the Rule 12b-1 Plan), fees payable could exceed expenditures. This may also happen over certain periods shorter than the life of the Rule 12b-1 Plan simply due to the timing of expenses incurred by DWS-SDI that is not matched to the timing of revenues received (e.g., a sales commission may be paid by DWS-SDI related to an investment in year 1, while the Rule 12b-1 fee to DWS-SDI related to that investment may accrue during year 1 through year 6 prior to conversion of the investment to Class A shares). As a result, if DWS-SDI's expenses are less than the Rule 12b-1 fees, DWS-SDI will retain its full fees and make a profit. If a Rule 12b-1 Plan is terminated in accordance with its terms, the obligation of the Fund to make payments to DWS-SDI pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan will cease and the Fund will not be required to make any payments past the termination date. Thus, there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay any expenses incurred by DWS-SDI other than fees payable under a Rule 12b-1 Plan, if for any reason the Rule 12b-1 Plan is terminated in accordance with its terms. Future fees under the Plan may or may not be sufficient to reimburse DWS-SDI for its expenses incurred. Distribution Services. For its services under the Distribution Agreement, DWS-SDI receives a fee from the Fund under its Rule 12b-1 Plan, payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.75% of average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to its Class B shares. This fee is accrued daily as an expense of Class B shares. DWS-SDI also receives any contingent deferred sales charges paid with respect to Class B shares. DWS-SDI currently compensates firms for sales of Class B shares at a commission rate of 3.75%. For its services under the Distribution Agreement, DWS-SDI receives a fee from the Fund under its Rule 12b-1 Plan, payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.75% of average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class C shares. This fee is accrued daily as an expense of Class C shares. DWS-SDI currently advances to firms the first year distribution fee at a rate of 0.75% of the purchase price of Class C shares. For periods after the first year, DWS-SDI currently pays firms for sales of Class C shares a distribution fee, payable quarterly, at an annual rate of 0.75% of net assets attributable to Class C shares maintained and serviced by the firm. This fee continues until terminated by DWS-SDI or the applicable Fund. DWS-SDI also receives any contingent deferred sales charges paid with respect to Class C shares. Effective January 1, 2006, DWS-SDI will no longer advance the first year distribution fee to firms for sales of Class C shares to employer-sponsored employee benefit plans using the OmniPlus subaccount record keeping system made available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance with DWS-SDI and it affiliates. Shareholder Services. For its services under the Services Agreement, DWS-SDI receives a shareholder services fee from the Fund under a Rule 12b-1 Plan, payable monthly, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A, B and C shares of that Fund. 38 With respect to Class A shares of the Fund, DWS-SDI pays each firm a service fee, payable quarterly, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the net assets in Fund accounts that it maintains and services attributable to Class A of the Fund, commencing with the month after investment. With respect to Class B and Class C shares of the Fund, DWS-SDI currently advances to firms the first-year service fee at a rate of up to 0.25% of the purchase price of such shares. Effective January 1, 2006, DWS-SDI will no longer advance the first year distribution fee to firms for sales of Class C shares to employer-sponsored employee benefit plans using the OmniPlus subaccount record keeping system made available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates. DWS-SDI also may provide some of the above services and may retain any portion of the fee under the Services Agreement not paid to firms to compensate itself for shareholder or administrative functions performed for the Fund. Currently, the shareholder services fee payable to DWS-SDI is payable at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of net assets based upon Fund assets in accounts for which a firm provides administrative services and at the annual rate of 0.15% of net assets based upon Fund assets in accounts for which there is no firm of record (other than DWS-SDI) listed on the Fund's records. The effective shareholder services fee rate to be charged against all assets of the Fund while this procedure is in effect will depend upon the proportion of Fund assets that is held in accounts for which a firm of record provides shareholder services. The Board of the Fund, in its discretion, may approve basing the fee to DWS-SDI at the annual rate of 0.25% on all Fund assets in the future. Expenses of the Fund paid in connection with the Rule 12b-1 Plans for each class of shares are set forth below. A portion of the marketing and sales and operating expenses shown below could be considered overhead expenses. 39
Compensation to Underwriter and Firms Other Distribution Expenses for Calendar Year 2005 Paid by Underwriter for Calendar Year 2005 ---------------------- ------------------------------------------- Compensation Contingent Compensation Paid by 12b-1 Deferred Paid by DWS-SDI Fees Paid Sales Charge DWS-SDI to Firms from Advertising Marketing Postage to Paid to to Firms from Shareholder and Prospectus and Sales and Interest DWS-SDI DWS-SDI Distribution Fee Servicing Fee Literature Printing Expenses Mailing Expense ---------- ------- ---------------- ------------- --------- -------- -------- ------- -------- DWS Large Company Growth Fund - ----------- Class A N/A $746 N/A $34,530 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Class B $27,814 $176 $5,888 $2,756 $745 $51 $120 $55 $29,316 Class C $19,815 $71 $21,292 $8,120 $2,917 $191 $411 $213 $0
40 The following table shows for Class A shares, the aggregate amount of underwriting commissions paid to DWS-SDI, the amount in commissions it paid out to brokers and the amount of underwriting commissions retained by DWS-SDI.
Aggregate Aggregate Aggregate Aggregate Commissions Fiscal Sales Commissions Commissions Paid to Retained by Fund Year Commissions Paid to Firms Affiliated Firms DWS-SDI - ---- ----- ----------- ------------- ---------------- ------- DWS Large Company Growth Fund Class A 2006 $17,000 $13,000 $1,000 $3,000 2005 $14,000 $11,000 $0 $3,000 2004 $24,000 $19,000 $2,000 $3,000
Certain trustees or officers of the Fund are also directors or officers of the Advisor or DWS-SDI, as indicated under "Officers and Trustees." Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The financial highlights of the Fund included in the Fund's prospectuses and the Financial Statements incorporated by reference in this SAI have been so included or incorporated by reference in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP audits the financial statements of the Fund and provides other audit, tax and related services. Shareholders will receive annual audited financial statements and semi-annual unaudited financial statements. Legal Counsel Ropes & Gray LLP, One International Place, Boston, MA 02110, serves as legal counsel to the Fund and its Independent Trustees. Fund Accounting Agent Prior to June 1, 2006, DWS Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation ("DWS-SFAC"), Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, a subsidiary of the Advisor, was directly responsible for determining net asset value per share and maintaining the portfolio and general accounting records for the Fund. For the period August 1, 2005 through May 31, 2006, the Fund paid DWS-SFAC $60,951, of which $182 remained unpaid as of July 31, 2006. Effective June 1, 2006, these fees are now paid under the Administrative Services Agreement. Prior to June 1, 2006, the Fund paid DWS-SFAC an annual fee equal to 0.025% of the first $150 million of average daily net assets, 0.0075% of such assets in excess of $150 million and 0.0045% of such assets in excess of $1 billion, plus holding and transaction charges for this service. 41 Effective June 1, 2006, pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement among the Advisor and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB" or the "Custodian"), the Advisor has delegated certain fund accounting functions to SSB. Custodian, Transfer Agent and Shareholder Service Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, as custodian has custody of all securities and cash of the Fund. The Custodian attends to the collection of principal and income, and payment for and collection of proceeds of securities bought and sold by the Fund. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006, the Fund's custodian fee was reduced by $34 for custody credits earned.. DWS Scudder Investments Service Company ("DWS-SISC" or "Shareholder Service Agent"), 210 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1614, an affiliate of the Advisor, is the Funds' transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund's Class A, B, C and Institutional Class shares 42 Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DWS-SISC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DWS-SISC has delegated certain transfer agent and dividend paying agent functions to DST. The costs and expenses of such delegation are borne by DWS-SISC, not by the Fund. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS The Advisor is generally responsible for placing the orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, including the allocation of brokerage. With respect to those funds for which a sub-investment advisor manages the fund's investments, references in this section to the "Advisor" should be read to mean the subadvisor. The policy of the Advisor in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities for the Fund is to seek best execution, taking into account such factors, among others, as price; commission (where applicable); the broker-dealer's ability to ensure that securities will be delivered on settlement date; the willingness of the broker-dealer to commit its capital and purchase a thinly traded security for its own inventory; whether the broker-dealer specializes in block orders or large program trades; the broker-dealer's knowledge of the market and the security; the broker-dealer's ability to maintain confidentiality; the financial condition of the broker-dealer; and whether the broker-dealer has the infrastructure and operational capabilities to execute and settle the trade. The Advisor seeks to evaluate the overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions with commissions charged on comparable transactions and compares the brokerage commissions (if any) paid by the Fund to reported commissions paid by others. The Advisor routinely reviews commission rates, execution and settlement services performed and makes internal and external comparisons. Commission rates on transactions in equity securities on US securities exchanges are subject to negotiation. Commission rates on transactions in equity securities on foreign securities exchanges are generally fixed. Purchases and sales of fixed-income securities and other over-the-counter securities are effected on a net basis, without the payment of brokerage commissions. Transactions in fixed income and other over-the-counter securities are generally placed by the Advisor with the principal market makers for these securities unless the Advisor reasonably believes more favorable results are available elsewhere. Transactions with dealers serving as market makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. Purchases of underwritten issues will include an underwriting fee paid to the underwriter. Money market instruments are normally purchased in principal transactions directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker. It is likely that the broker-dealers selected based on the considerations described in this section will include firms that also sell shares of the Fund to their customers. However, the Advisor does not consider sales of shares of the 43 Fund as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund and, accordingly, has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent its traders from considering sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Advisor is permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("1934 Act"), when placing portfolio transactions for the Fund, to cause the Fund to pay brokerage commissions in excess of that which another broker-dealer might charge for executing the same transaction in order to obtain research and brokerage services. The Advisor, however, does not as a matter of policy execute transactions with broker-dealers for the Fund in order to obtain research from such broker-dealers that is prepared by third parties (i.e., "third party research"). However, the Advisor may from time to time, in reliance on Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, obtain proprietary research prepared by the executing broker-dealer in connection with a transaction or transactions through that broker-dealer (i.e., "proprietary research"). Consistent with the Advisor's policy regarding best execution, where more than one broker is believed to be capable of providing best execution for a particular trade, the Advisor may take into consideration the receipt of proprietary research in selecting the broker-dealer to execute the trade. Proprietary research provided by broker-dealers may include, but is not limited to, information on the economy, industries, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, accounting and tax law interpretations, political developments, legal developments affecting portfolio securities, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance analysis and measurement and analysis of corporate responsibility issues. Proprietary research is typically received in the form of written reports, telephone contacts and personal meetings with security analysts, but may also be provided in the form of access to various computer software and associated hardware, and meetings arranged with corporate and industry representatives. In reliance on Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Advisor may also select broker-dealers and obtain from them brokerage services in the form of software and/or hardware that is used in connection with executing trades. Typically, this computer software and/or hardware is used by the Advisor to facilitate trading activity with those broker-dealers. Proprietary research and brokerage services received from a broker-dealer chosen to execute a particular trade may be useful to the Advisor in providing services to clients other than the Fund making the trade, and not all such information is used by the Advisor in connection with the Fund. Conversely, such information provided to the Advisor by broker-dealers through which other clients of the Advisor effect securities transactions may be useful to the Advisor in providing services to the Fund. The Advisor will monitor regulatory developments and market practice in the use of client commissions to obtain research and brokerage services, whether proprietary or third party. Investment decisions for the Fund and for other investment accounts managed by the Advisor are made independently of each other in light of differing conditions. However, the same investment decision may be made for two or more of such accounts. In such cases, simultaneous transactions are inevitable. To the extent permitted by law, the Advisor may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other accounts in executing transactions. Purchases or sales are then averaged as to price and commission and allocated as to amount in a manner deemed equitable to each account. While in some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect on the price paid or received by, or on the size of the position obtained or disposed of for, the Fund, in other cases it is believed that the ability to engage in volume transactions will be beneficial to the Fund. Deutsche Bank AG or one of its affiliates (or in the case of a subadvisor, the subadvisor or one of its affiliates) may act as a broker for the Fund and receive brokerage commissions or other transaction-related compensation from the Fund in the purchase and sale of securities, options or futures contracts when, in the judgment of the Advisor, and in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund's Board, the affiliated broker will be able to obtain a price and execution at least as favorable as those obtained from other qualified brokers and if, in the transaction, the affiliated broker charges the Fund a rate consistent with that charged to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar transactions. 44 For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2004, July 31, 2005 and July 31, 2006, the Fund paid aggregate brokerage commissions of $323,004, $233,608 and $183,130, respectively. The percentage of the Fund's commissions paid to affiliated brokers, the percentage of transactions involving commissions paid to affiliated brokers, the dollar amount of commissions paid to brokers for research services is set forth below for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006:
Percentage of Percentage of Dollar Amount of Commissions Paid Transactions Involving Commissions Paid to to Affiliated Commissions Paid to Brokers for Name of Fund Brokers Affiliated Brokers Research Services - ------------ ------- ------------------ ----------------- DWS Large Company Growth Fund 0% 0% 0$
The Fund is required to identify any securities of its "regular broker or dealers" (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) that the Fund has acquired during the most recent fiscal year. As of July 31, 2006, the Fund held the following securities of its regular broker dealers: Name of Issuer Value of Holdings -------------- ----------------- Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. $2,819,000 Merrill Lynch & Co. $3,517,000 General Electric Capital Corp. $10,874,000 Citigroup $1,725,000 Portfolio Turnover Portfolio turnover rate is defined by the SEC as the ratio of the lesser of sales or purchases to the monthly average value of such securities owned during the year, excluding all securities whose remaining maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less. A higher rate involves greater brokerage and transaction expenses to the Fund and may result in the realization of net capital gains, which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed. Purchases and sales are made for the Fund's portfolio whenever necessary, in management's opinion, to meet the Fund's objective. Portfolio turnover rates for the two most recent fiscal years are as follows: Fund 2006 2005 - ---- ---- ---- DWS Large Company Growth Fund 16% 20% 45 PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES General Information Shares of the Fund are distributed by DWS-SDI. The Fund offers five classes of shares, four of which are described in this SAI. General information on how to buy shares of the Fund is set forth in "Buying and Selling Fund Shares" in the Fund's Prospectus. The following supplements that information. Policies and procedures affecting transactions in Fund shares can be changed at any time without notice, subject to applicable law. Transactions may be contingent upon proper completion of application forms and other documents by shareholders and their receipt by the Fund's agents. Transaction delays in processing (and changing account features) due to circumstances within or beyond the control of the Fund and its agents may occur. Shareholders (or their financial service firms) are responsible for all losses and fees resulting from bad checks, cancelled orders or the failure to consummate transactions effected pursuant to instructions reasonably believed to be genuine. A distribution will be reinvested in shares of the same Fund and class if the distribution check is returned as undeliverable. Orders will be confirmed at a price based on the net asset value (including any applicable sales charge) of the Fund next determined after receipt in good order by DWS-SDI of the order accompanied by payment. Orders received by dealers or other financial services firms prior to the determination of net asset value and received in good order by DWS-SDI prior to the determination of net asset value will be confirmed at a price based on the net asset value next determined after receipt by DWS-SDI ("trade date"). Certificates. Share certificates will not be issued. Share certificates now in a shareholder's possession may be sent to the transfer agent for cancellation and book-entry credit to such shareholder's account. Certain telephone and other procedures require book-entry holdings. Shareholders with outstanding certificates bear the risk of loss. Use of Financial Services Firms. Investment dealers and other firms provide varying arrangements for their clients to purchase and redeem the Fund's shares, including higher minimum investments, and may assess transaction or other fees. Firms may arrange with their clients for other investment or administrative services. Such firms may independently establish and charge additional amounts to their clients for such services. Firms also may hold the Fund's shares in nominee or street name as agent for and on behalf of their customers. In such instances, the Fund's transfer agent, DWS Scudder Investments Service Company (the "Transfer Agent") will have no information with respect to or control over the accounts of specific shareholders. Such shareholders may obtain access to their accounts and information about their accounts only from their firm. Certain of these firms may receive compensation from the Fund through the Shareholder Service Agent for record-keeping and other expenses relating to these nominee accounts. In addition, certain privileges with respect to the purchase and redemption of shares or the reinvestment of dividends may not be available through such firms. Some firms may participate in a program allowing them access to their clients' accounts for servicing including, without limitation, transfers of registration and dividend payee changes; and may perform functions such as generation of confirmation statements and disbursement of cash dividends. Such firms, including affiliates of DWS-SDI, may receive compensation from the Fund through the Shareholder Service Agent for these services. The Fund has authorized one or more financial service institutions, including certain members of the NASD other than the Distributor ("financial institutions"), to accept purchase and redemption orders for the Fund's shares. Such financial institutions may also designate other parties, including plan administrator intermediaries, to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Fund's behalf. Orders for purchases or redemptions will be deemed to have been received by the Fund when such financial institutions or, if applicable, their authorized designees accept the orders. Subject to the terms of the contract between the Fund and the financial institution, ordinarily orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next computed after acceptance by such financial institution or its authorized designees and accepted by the Fund. Further, if purchases or redemptions of the Fund's shares are arranged and settlement is made at an investor's election through any other authorized financial institution, that financial institution may, at its discretion, charge a fee for that service. The Board of Trustees and the Distributor, also the 46 Fund's principal underwriter, each has the right to limit the amount of purchases by, and to refuse to sell to, any person. The Trustees and the Distributor may suspend or terminate the offering of shares of the Fund at any time for any reason. DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc., the Fund's distributor, has adopted an Incentive Plan (the "Plan") covering wholesalers that are regional vice presidents ("DWS Scudder Wholesalers"). Generally, DWS Scudder Wholesalers market shares of the DWS funds to your financial advisor, who in turn may recommend that you purchase shares of a DWS fund. The Plan is an incentive program that combines a monthly incentive component with a quarterly strategic bonus component. Under the Plan, DWS Scudder Wholesalers will receive a monetary monthly incentive based on the amount of sales generated from their marketing of the funds, and that incentive will differ depending on the product category of the fund. Each fund is assigned to one of three product categories -- "Core," "Satellite" or "Non-Core/Satellite" -- taking into consideration, among other things, the following criteria, where applicable: o The fund's 3 year performance; o The fund's Morningstar rating; o Market size for the fund category; o The fund's size, including sales and redemptions of the fund's shares; o The length of time the fund's Portfolio Manager has managed the fund; and o The fund's consistency with DWS Scudder's branding. This information and other factors are presented to a committee comprised of representatives from various groups within DWS Scudder, who review on a quarterly basis the funds assigned to each product category described above, and make any changes to those assignments at that time. No one factor, whether positive or negative, determines the Fund's placement in a given category; all these factors together are considered, and the designation of funds in the Core and Satellite categories represents management's judgment based on the above criteria. In addition, management may consider the Fund's profile over the course of several review periods before making a change to its category assignment. These category assignments will be posted quarterly to the DWS fund website at www.dws-scudder.com, approximately one month after the end of each quarter. DWS Scudder Wholesalers will receive the highest compensation for Core funds, less for Satellite funds and the lowest for Non-Core/Satellite funds. In the normal course of business, DWS Scudder will from time to time introduce new funds into the DWS family of funds. As a general rule, all new funds will be placed in a New Fund compensation category for a minimum period of four consecutive quarters, and DWS Scudder Wholesalers will be paid at a rate that is equivalent to that of the Core Fund category. After that four quarter period, each fund in the New Fund category will be reviewed by the committee and either assigned to one of the three categories or continued as a New Fund at that time. The prospect of receiving, or the receipt of, additional compensation by a DWS Scudder Wholesaler under the Plan may provide an incentive to favor marketing the Core or Satellite funds over the Non-Core/Satellite funds. The Plan, however, will not change the price that you pay for shares of the fund. The DWS Scudder Compliance Department monitors DWS Scudder Wholesaler sales and other activity in an effort to detect unusual activity in the context of the compensation structure under the Plan. However, investors may wish to take the Plan and the product category of the fund into account when considering purchasing the Fund or evaluating any recommendations relating to fund shares. Telephone and Electronic Transaction Procedures. Shareholders have various telephone, Internet, wire and other electronic privileges available. The Fund or its agents may be liable for any losses, expenses or costs arising out of fraudulent or unauthorized instructions pursuant to these privileges unless the Fund or its agents reasonably believe, based upon reasonable verification procedures, that the instructions were genuine. Verification procedures include recording instructions, requiring certain identifying information before acting upon instructions and sending written confirmations. During periods when it is difficult to contact the Shareholder Service Agent, it may be difficult to use telephone, wire and other privileges. 47 QuickBuy and QuickSell. QuickBuy and QuickSell permits the transfer of money via the Automated Clearing House System (minimum $50, maximum $250,000) from or to a shareholder's bank, savings and loan, or credit union account in connection with the purchase or redemption of Fund shares. Shares purchased by check or through QuickBuy and QuickSell or Direct Deposit may not be redeemed under this privilege until such Shares have been owned for at least 10 calendar days. QuickBuy and QuickSell cannot be used with passbook savings accounts or for certain tax-deferred plans such as IRAs. Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plans. The Shareholder Service Agent provides retirement plan services and documents and DWS-SDI can establish investor accounts in any of the following types of retirement plans: o Traditional, Roth and Education IRAs. This includes Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers ("SIMPLE"), Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SEP") IRA accounts and prototype documents. o 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts. This type of plan is available to employees of most non-profit organizations. o Prototype money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans may be adopted by employers. Brochures describing these plans as well as model defined benefit plans, target benefit plans, 457 plans, 401(k) plans, simple 401(k) plans and materials for establishing them are available from the Shareholder Service Agent upon request. Additional fees and transaction policies and procedures may apply to such plans. Investors should consult with their own tax advisors before establishing a retirement plan. Purchases The Fund reserves the right to withdraw all or any part of the offering made by its prospectus and to reject purchase orders for any reason. Also, from time to time, the Fund may temporarily suspend the offering of any class of its shares to new investors. During the period of such suspension, persons who are already shareholders of such class of such Fund may be permitted to continue to purchase additional shares of such class and to have dividends reinvested. Fees generally charged to IRA accounts will be charged to accounts of Deutsche or Scudder employees and directors. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For more information, please see "Policies You Should Know About" in the fund prospectus. Financial Services Firms' Compensation. Banks and other financial services firms may provide administrative services related to order placement and payment to facilitate transactions in shares of the fund for their clients, and DWS-SDI may pay them a transaction fee up to the level of the discount or commission allowable or payable to dealers. DWS-SDI may, from time to time, pay or allow to firms a 1% commission on the amount of shares of the fund sold under the following conditions: (i) the purchased shares are held in a DWS Scudder IRA account, (ii) the shares are purchased as a direct "roll over" of a distribution from a qualified retirement plan account maintained on the subaccount record keeping system maintained for Scudder-branded plans by ADP, Inc. under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates, (iii) the registered representative placing the trade is a member of Executive Council, a group of persons designated by DWS-SDI in acknowledgment of their dedication to the employee benefit plan area; and (iv) the purchase is not otherwise subject to a commission. In addition to the discounts or commissions described herein and in the prospectus, DWS-SDI, the Advisor, or its affiliates may pay or allow additional discounts, commissions or promotional incentives, in the form of cash, to firms that sell shares of the fund. In some instances, such amounts may be offered only to certain firms that sell or are expected to sell during specified time periods certain minimum amounts of shares of the fund, or other funds underwritten by DWS-SDI. 48 Upon notice to all dealers, DWS-SDI may re-allow to dealers up to the full applicable Class A sales charge during periods and for transactions specified in such notice and such re-allowances may be based upon attainment of minimum sales levels. During periods when 90% or more of the sales charge is re-allowed, such dealers may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is defined in the 1933 Act. DWS-SDI may at its discretion compensate investment dealers or other financial services firms in connection with the sale of Class A shares of the fund in accordance with the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege and one of the four compensation schedules up to the following amounts: Compensation Schedule #2 Compensation Schedule #1 DWS Scudder Retail Sales and DWS Scudder Flex Plan(1) Retirement Plans(2) ----------------------------------------- ------------------- As a As a Percentage of Amount of Percentage of Amount of Net Asset Shares Sold Net Asset Value Shares Sold Value ----------- --------------- ----------- ----- $1 million to $3 million (equity funds) 1.00% Over $3 million 0.00% - 0.50% Over $3 million to $50 million 0.50% -- -- Over $50 million 0.25% -- -- Compensation Schedule #3 DWS Scudder Choice Plan(3) --------------------------------------------------- Amount of As a Percentage Shares Sold of Net Asset Value ----------- ------------------ All amounts (equity funds) 1.00% (1) For purposes of determining the appropriate commission percentage to be applied to a particular sale under the foregoing schedule, DWS-SDI will consider the cumulative amount invested by the purchaser in the fund and other DWS Funds including purchases pursuant to the "Combined Purchases," "Letter of Intent" and "Cumulative Discount" features referred to below. (2) Compensation Schedules 2 applies to employer sponsored employee benefit plans using the OmniPlus subaccount record keeping system made available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates. (3) DWS-SDI compensates UBS Financial 0.50%. 49 DWS-SDI compensates firms for sales of Class B shares at the time of sale at a commission rate of up to 3.75% of the amount of Class B shares purchased. SDI is compensated by the Fund for services as distributor and principal underwriter for Class B shares. Except as provided below, for sales of Class C shares, DWS-SDI advances to firms the first year distribution fee at a rate of 0.75% of the purchase price of such shares, and, for periods after the first year, DWS-SDI currently pays firms for sales of Class C shares a distribution fee, payable quarterly, at an annual rate of 0.75% of net assets attributable to Class C shares maintained and serviced by the firm. For sales of Class C shares to employer sponsored employee benefit plans using the OmniPlus subaccount record keeping system made available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates, DWS-SDI does not advance the first year distribution fee and for periods after the date of sale. DWS-SDI currently pays firms a distribution fee, payable quarterly, at an annual rate of 0.75% based on net assets as of the last business day of the month attributable to Class C shares maintained and serviced by the firm. DWS-SDI is compensated by the Fund for services as distributor and principal underwriter for Class C shares. Class A Purchases. The public offering price of Class A shares for purchasers choosing the initial sales charge alternative is the net asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below.
Sales Charge ------------ Allowed to Dealers As a Percentage of As a Percentage of as a Percentage of Amount of Purchase Offering Price Net Asset Value* Offering Price - ------------------ -------------- --------------- -------------- Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.20% $50,000 but less than $100,000 4.50 4.71 4.00 $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 3.00 $250,000 but less than $500,000 2.60 2.67 2.25 $500,000 but less than $1 million 2.00 2.04 1.75 $1 million and over .00** .00** .00***
* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent. ** Redemption of shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge as discussed below. *** Commission is payable by DWS-SDI as discussed below. Class A NAV Sales. Class A shares may be sold at net asset value to: (a) a current or former director or trustee of Deutsche or DWS mutual funds; (b) an employee (including the employee's spouse or life partner and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger) of Deutsche Bank or its affiliates or of a subadvisor to any fund in the DWS family of funds or of a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares of the Fund or service agents of the Funds; (c) certain professionals who assist in the promotion of DWS mutual funds pursuant to personal services contracts with DWS-SDI, for themselves or members of their families. DWS-SDI in its discretion may compensate financial services firms for sales of Class A shares under this privilege at a commission rate of 0.50% of the amount of Class A shares purchased; 50 (d) any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for only such persons listed under the preceding paragraphs (a) and (b); (e) persons who purchase such shares through bank trust departments that process such trades through an automated, integrated mutual fund clearing program provided by a third party clearing firm; (f) selected employees (including their spouses or life partners and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger) of banks and other financial services firms that provide administrative services related to order placement and payment to facilitate transactions in shares of the Fund for their clients pursuant to an agreement with DWS-SDI or one of its affiliates. Only those employees of such banks and other firms who as part of their usual duties provide services related to transactions in Fund shares qualify; (g) unit investment trusts sponsored by Ranson & Associates, Inc. and unitholders of unit investment trusts sponsored by Ranson & Associates, Inc. or its predecessors through reinvestment programs described in the prospectuses of such trusts that have such programs; (h) through certain investment advisors registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and other financial services firms acting solely as agent for their clients, that adhere to certain standards established by DWS-SDI, including a requirement that such shares be sold for the benefit of their clients participating in an investment advisory program or agency commission program under which such clients pay a fee to the investment advisor or other firm for portfolio management or agency brokerage services. Such shares are sold for investment purposes and on the condition that they will not be resold except through redemption or repurchase by the Fund; (i) employer sponsored employee benefit plans using the Flex subaccount recordkeeping system ("Flex Plans") made available through ADP under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates, established prior to October 1, 2003, provided that the Flex Plan is a participant-directed plan that has not less than 200 eligible employees; (j) investors investing $1 million or more, either as a lump sum or through the "Combined Purchases," "Letter of Intent" and "Cumulative Discount" features referred to above (collectively, the "Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege"). The Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege is not available if another net asset value purchase privilege is available; (k) in connection with the acquisition of the assets of or merger or consolidation with another investment company, or to shareholders in connection with the investment or reinvestment of income and capital gain dividends, and under other circumstances deemed appropriate by DWS-SDI and consistent with regulatory requirements; and (l) in connection with a direct "roll over" of a distribution from a Flex Plan or from participants in employer sponsored employee benefit plans maintained on the OmniPlus subaccount record keeping system made available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates into a DWS Scudder IRA. Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value in any amount by members of the plaintiff class in the proceeding known as Howard and Audrey Tabankin, et al. v. Kemper Short-Term Global Income Fund, et al., Case No. 93 C 5231 (N.D. IL). This privilege is generally non-transferable and continues for the lifetime of individual class members and for a ten-year period for non-individual class members. To make a purchase at net asset value under this privilege, the investor must, at the time of purchase, submit a written request that the purchase be processed at net asset value pursuant to this privilege specifically identifying the purchaser as a member of the "Tabankin Class." Shares purchased under this privilege will be maintained in a separate account that includes only shares purchased under this privilege. For more details concerning this privilege, class members should refer to the Notice of (i) Proposed Settlement with Defendants; and (ii) Hearing to Determine Fairness of Proposed Settlement, dated August 31, 1995, issued in connection with the aforementioned court proceeding. For sales of Fund shares at net asset value pursuant to this privilege, SDI may in its discretion pay investment dealers and other financial services firms a concession, payable quarterly, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of net assets attributable to such 51 shares maintained and serviced by the firm. A firm becomes eligible for the concession based upon assets in accounts attributable to shares purchased under this privilege in the month after the month of purchase and the concession continues until terminated by SDI. The privilege of purchasing Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value under this privilege is not available if another net asset value purchase privilege also applies. 52 Class A Quantity Discounts. An investor or the investor's dealer or other financial services firm must notify the Shareholder Service Agent or DWS-SDI whenever a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is applicable to a purchase. In order to qualify for a lower sales charge, all orders from an organized group will have to be placed through a single investment dealer or other firm and identified as originating from a qualifying purchaser. Letter of Intent. The reduced sales charges for Class A shares, as shown in the applicable prospectus, also apply to the aggregate amount of purchases of Class A shares of DWS Funds that bear a sales charge made by any purchaser within a 24-month period under a written Letter of Intent ("Letter") provided by DWS-SDI. The Letter, which imposes no obligation to purchase or sell additional Class A shares, provides for a price adjustment depending upon the actual amount purchased within such period. The Letter provides that the first purchase following execution of the Letter must be at least 5% of the amount of the intended purchase, and that 5% of the amount of the intended purchase normally will be held in escrow in the form of shares pending completion of the intended purchase. If the total investments under the Letter are less than the intended amount and thereby qualify only for a higher sales charge than actually paid, the appropriate number of escrowed shares are redeemed and the proceeds used toward satisfaction of the obligation to pay the increased sales charge. The Letter for an employer-sponsored employee benefit plan maintained on the subaccount record keeping system available through the ADP, 53 Inc. under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates may have special provisions regarding payment of any increased sales charge resulting from a failure to complete the intended purchase under the Letter. A shareholder may include the value (at the maximum offering price, which is determined by adding the maximum applicable sales load charged to the net asset value) of all Class A shares of such DWS Funds held of record as of the initial purchase date under the Letter as an "accumulation credit" toward the completion of the Letter, but no price adjustment will be made on such shares. Class A Cumulative Discount. Class A shares of the Fund may also be purchased at the rate applicable to the discount bracket attained by adding to the cost of shares being purchased, the value of all Class A shares of DWS Funds that bear a sales charge (computed at the maximum offering price at the time of the purchase for which the discount is applicable) already owned by the investor or his or her immediate family member (including the investor's spouse or life partner and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger). For purposes of the Combined Purchases, Letter of Intent and Cumulative Discount features described above, employer sponsored employee benefit plans using the Flex subaccount record keeping system available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates may include: (a) Money Market Funds as "DWS Funds," (b) all classes of shares of any DWS Fund and (c) the value of any other plan investments, such as guaranteed investment contracts and employer stock, maintained on such subaccount record keeping system. Once eligible plan assets under this provision reach the $1,000,000 threshold, a later decline in assets below the $1,000,000 threshold will not affect the plan's ability to continue to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. Combined Purchases. The Fund's Class A shares may be purchased at the rate applicable to the sales charge discount bracket attained by combining same day investments in Class A shares of any DWS Funds that bear a sales charge. Class B Purchases. Class B shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value. No initial sales charge is imposed. Class B shares sold without an initial sales charge allow the full amount of the investor's purchase payment to be invested in Class B shares for his or her account. Class B shares have a contingent deferred sales charge of 4.00% that declines (for shares sold within six years of purchase) and Rule 12b-1 fees, as described in the Funds' Prospectuses and SAI. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after six years. Class C Purchases. Class C shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value. No initial sales charge is imposed which allows the full amount of the investor's purchase payment to be invested in Class C shares for his or her account. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% (for shares sold within one year of purchase) and Rule 12b-1 fees, as described in the Funds' Prospectuses and SAI. Purchase of Institutional Class Shares. Information on how to buy Institutional Class shares is set forth in the section entitled "Buying and Selling Shares" in the Fund's prospectus. The following supplements that information. The minimum initial investment for Institutional Class shares is $1,000,000. There is no minimum subsequent investment requirement for the Institutional Class shares. This minimum amount maybe changed at any time in management's discretion. To sell shares in a retirement account other than an IRA, your request must be made in writing, except for exchanges to other eligible funds in the DWS family of funds, which can be requested by phone or in writing. 54 Multi-Class Suitability. DWS-SDI has established the following procedures regarding the purchase of Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Orders to purchase Class B shares of $100,000 or more and orders to purchase Class C shares of $500,000 or more will be declined with the exception of orders received from firms acting for clients whose shares will be held in an omnibus account and employer-sponsored employee benefit plans using the Flex subaccount record keeping system ("Flex System") maintained by ADP under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates ("DWS Scudder Flex Plans"). The following provisions apply to DWS Scudder Flex Plans. a. Class B Share DWS Scudder Flex Plans. Class B shares have not been sold to DWS Scudder Flex Plans that were established on the System after October 1, 2003. Orders to purchase Class B shares for a DWS Scudder Flex Plan established on the System prior to October 1, 2003 that has regularly been purchasing Class B shares will be invested instead in Class A shares at net asset value when the combined subaccount value in DWS Funds or other eligible assets held by the plan is $100,000 or more. This provision will be imposed for the first purchase after eligible plan assets reach the $100,000 threshold. A later decline in assets below the $100,000 threshold will not affect the plan's ability to continue to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. b. Class C Share DWS Scudder Flex Plans. Orders to purchase Class C shares for a DWS Scudder Flex Plan, regardless of when such plan was established on the System, will be invested instead in Class A shares at net asset value when the combined subaccount value in DWS Funds or other eligible assets held by the plan is $1,000,000 or more. This provision will be imposed for the first purchase after eligible plan assets reach the $1,000,000 threshold. A later decline in assets below the $1,000,000 threshold will not affect the plan's ability to continue to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. c. Class C Share DWS Scudder Choice Plans. Orders to purchase Class C shares for a DWS Scudder Choice Plan that has been regularly purchasing Class C shares will be invested instead in Class A shares at net asset value when the combined subaccount value in DWS Funds or other eligible assets held by the plan is $1,000,000 or more. This provision will be imposed for purchases made beginning in the month after eligible plan assets reach the $1,000,000 threshold. In addition, as a condition to being permitted to use the Choice Plan platform, plans must agree that, within one month after eligible plan assets reach the $1,000,000 threshold, all existing Class C shares held in the plan will be automatically converted to Class A shares. The procedures above do not reflect in any way the suitability of a particular class of shares for a particular investor and should not be relied upon as such. A suitability determination must be made by investors with the assistance of their financial representative. Automatic Investment Plan. A shareholder may purchase additional shares of the Fund through an automatic investment program. With the Direct Deposit Purchase Plan ("Direct Deposit"), investments are made automatically (minimum $50 and maximum $250,000 for both initial and subsequent investments) from the shareholder's account at a bank, savings and loan or credit union into the shareholder's Fund account. Termination by a shareholder will become effective within thirty days after the Shareholder Service Agent has received the request. The Fund may immediately terminate a shareholder's Direct Deposit in the event that any item is unpaid by the shareholder's financial institution. Payroll Investment Plans. A shareholder may purchase shares through Payroll Direct Deposit or Government Direct Deposit. Under these programs, all or a portion of a shareholder's net pay or government check is invested each payment period. A shareholder may terminate participation in these programs by giving written notice to the shareholder's employer or government agency, as appropriate. (A reasonable time to act is required.) The Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the employer or government agency making the payment or any financial institutions transmitting payments. 55 Revenue Sharing. In light of recent regulatory developments, the Advisor, the Distributor and their affiliates have undertaken to furnish certain additional information below regarding the level of payments made by them to selected affiliated and unaffiliated brokers, dealers, participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries ("financial advisors") in connection with the sale and/or distribution of Fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of investors and Fund shares ("revenue sharing"). The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their own assets and not as an additional charge to the Fund, to financial advisors in connection with the sale and/or distribution of Fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of Fund investors and Fund shares. Such revenue sharing payments are in addition to any distribution or service fees payable under any Rule 12b-1 or service plan of any fund, any record keeping/sub-transfer agency fees payable by the Funds (generally by reimbursement to the Distributor or an affiliate) to certain financial advisors for performing such services and any sales charges, commissions, non-cash compensation arrangements expressly permitted under applicable rules of the NASD or other concessions described in the fee table or elsewhere in the prospectus or the SAI as payable to all financial advisors. For example, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may compensate financial advisors for administrative, sub-accounting or shareholder processing services and/or for providing a fund with "shelf space" or access to a third party platform or fund offering list, or other marketing programs including, without limitation, inclusion of the Funds on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund "supermarket" platforms and other formal sales programs; granting the Distributor access to the financial advisor's sales force; granting the Distributor access to the financial advisor's conferences and meetings; assistance in training and educating the financial advisor's personnel; and, obtaining other forms of marketing support. The level of revenue sharing payments made to financial advisors may be a fixed fee or based upon one or more of the following factors: gross sales, current assets and/or number of accounts of the Funds attributable to the financial advisor, the particular fund or fund type or other measures as agreed to by the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates and the financial advisors or any combination thereof. The amount of these payments is determined at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different financial advisors based on, for example, the nature of the services provided by the financial advisor. The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates currently make revenue sharing payments from their own assets in connection with the sale and/or distribution of DWS Fund shares, or the retention and/or servicing of investors and DWS Fund shares to financial advisors in amounts that generally range from ..01% up to .50% of assets of the Funds serviced and maintained by the financial advisor, .05% to .40% of sales of the Funds attributable to the financial advisor, a flat fee of $12,500 up to $500,000, or any combination thereof. These amounts are subject to change at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates. Receipt of, or the prospect of receiving, this additional compensation, may influence your financial advisor's recommendation of these Funds or of any particular share class of the Funds. You should review your financial advisor's compensation disclosure and/or talk to your financial advisor to obtain more information on how this compensation may have influenced your financial advisor's recommendation of these Funds. The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may also make such revenue sharing payments to financial advisors under the terms discussed above in connection with the distribution of both DWS funds and non-DWS funds by financial advisors to retirement plans that obtain record keeping services from ADP, Inc. on the DWS Scudder branded retirement plan platform (the "Platform") with the level of revenue sharing payments being based upon sales of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds by the financial advisor on the Platform or current assets of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds serviced and maintained by the financial advisor on the Platform. As of the date hereof, the Advisor, the Distributor and their affiliates expect that the following firms will receive revenue sharing payments at different points during the coming year as described above: Channel: Broker-Dealers and Financial Advisors A G Edwards & Sons Inc. AIG Advisors Group 56 Cadaret, Grant & Co. Inc. Brown Brothers Harriman Capital Analyst, Incorporated Citicorp Investment Services Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. (dba Smith Barney) Commonwealth Equity Services, LLP (dba Commonwealth Financial Network) HD Vest Investment Securities, Inc. ING Group LaSalle Financial Services, Inc. Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. McDonald Investments Inc. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. Morgan Stanley Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Pacific Select Distributors Group The Principal Financial Group Prudential Investments Raymond James & Associates Raymond James Financial Services RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc Securities America, Inc. UBS Financial Services Wachovia Securities Wells Fargo Investments, LLC Channel: Fund Supermarket Platforms ADP Clearing Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 57 E*Trade Fidelity Investments First Trust National Financial National Investor Services Corporation Pershing LLC USAA Investment Management Channel: Defined Contribution Investment Only Platforms 401K Investment Services ACS / Buck Consultants ADP, Inc. Alliance Benefit Group Financial Services Corp. American Express Financial Advisors, Inc. AMG Service Corp. / Lincoln Retirement Services Company, LLC AST Trust Company Benefit Administration BISYS Ceridian Retirement Plan Services Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Charles Schwab Trust Company City National Bank Citistreet C.N.A. Trust Compusys/ERISA Group Inc. Copeland Companies CPI Qualified Plans Daily Access.Com Inc. Digital Retirement Solutions 58 Edgewood Services Expert Plan Inc. Federated Securities Corp. Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Company Fisserv Franklin Templeton Defined Contribution GoldK Great West Life and Annuity/Benefits Corp Equities Inc. Hand Securities Hartford Life Insurance Company Hewitt Assoc. LLC ING Aetna Trust Company Invesmart JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services LLC John Hancock Lincoln National Life Marsh Insurance & Investment Company Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plan Matrix Settlement & Clearance Mercer HR Services Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. Met Life MFS Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation Nationwide Trust Company Nationwide Financial 59 Neuberger Berman New York Life Investment Management Service Company Nyhart/Alliance Benefit Group Indiana PFPC, Inc. Plan Administrators, Inc. PNC Bank N.A. Principal Life Insurance Company Prudential Investments Reliance Trust Company Resource Trust (IMS) Retirement Financial Services State Street Bank and Trust Company SunGard Investment Products Inc. The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. T. Rowe Price Union Bank of California UMB Bank Valic/Virsco Retirement Services Co Vanguard Group Wachovia Bank (First Union National Bank) Wells Fargo Wilmington Trust Channel: Cash Product Platform ADP Clearing & Outsourcing Allegheny Investments LTD Bank of New York (Hare & Co.) Bear Stearns 60 Brown Investment Advisory & Trust Company Brown Brothers Harriman Cadaret Grant & Co. Chase Manhattan Bank Chicago Mercantile Exchange Citibank, N.A. D.A. Davidson & Company DB Alex Brown/Pershing DB Securities Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas Emmett A. Larkin Company Fiduciary Trust Co. - International Huntleigh Securities Lincoln Investment Planning Linsco Private Ledger Financial Services Mellon Bank Nesbitt Burns Corp. Penson Financial Services Pershing Choice Platform Profunds Distributors, Inc. SAMCO Capital Markets (Fund Services, Inc.) Saturn & Co. (Investors Bank & Trust Company) Smith Moore & Company Sungard Financial Turtle & Co. (State Street) UBS US Bank 61 William Blair & Company Channel: Third Party Insurance Platforms Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York Ameritas Life Insurance Group American General Life Insurance Company Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company Columbus Life Insurance Company Companion Life Insurance Company Connecticut General Life Insurance Company Farmers New World Life Insurance Company Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company First Great-West Life and Annuity Insurance Company First MetLife Investors Insurance Company Genworth Life Insurance Company of New York Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company Great West Life and Annuity Insurance Company Hartford Life Insurance Company Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company ICMG Registered Variable Life John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) Kemper Investors Life Insurance Company Lincoln Benefit Life Insurance Company Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York Lincoln National Life Insurance Company 62 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company MetLife Group Minnesota Life Insurance Company Mutual of America Life Insurance Company National Life Insurance Company Nationwide Financial Services Inc. Nationwide Life and Annuity Company of America Nationwide Life Insurance Company of America New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation Phoenix Life Insurance Company Protective Life Insurance Prudential Insurance Company of America Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) Sun Life Assurance and Annuity Company of New York Symetra Life Insurance Company Transamerica Life Insurance Company Union Central Life Insurance Company United of Omaha Life Insurance Company United Investors Life Insurance Company Western Southern Life Assurance Company Any additions, modifications or deletions to the financial advisors identified above that have occurred since the date hereof are not reflected. The Advisor, the Distributor or their affiliates may enter into additional revenue sharing arrangements or change or discontinue existing arrangements with financial advisors at any time without notice. The prospect of receiving, or the receipt of additional compensation or promotional incentives described above by financial advisors may provide such financial advisors and/or their salespersons with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the DWS Funds or a particular DWS Fund over sales of shares of mutual funds (or non-mutual fund investments) with respect to which the financial advisor does not receive additional compensation or promotional incentives, or receives lower levels of additional compensation or promotional incentives. Similarly, financial advisors may receive different compensation or incentives that may influence their recommendation of any particular share class of the Funds or of other funds. These payment arrangements, however, will not change the price that an investor pays for Fund shares or the amount that a Fund receives to invest on behalf of an investor and 63 will not increase Fund expenses. You may wish to take such payment arrangements into account when considering and evaluating any recommendations relating to Fund shares and you should discuss this matter with your financial advisor and review your financial advisor's disclosures. It is likely that broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions for the Funds will include firms that also sell shares of the DWS funds to their customers. However, the Advisor will not consider sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the DWS funds. Accordingly, the Advisor has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent its traders from considering sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Funds. In addition, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates will not use fund brokerage to pay for their obligation to provide additional compensation to financial advisors as described above. Redemptions Redemption fee. The Fund will impose a redemption fee of 2% of the total redemption amount (calculated at net asset value, without regard to the effect of any contingent deferred sales charge; any contingent deferred sales charge is also assessed on the total redemption amount without regard to the assessment of the 2% redemption fee) on all fund shares redeemed or exchanged within 15 days of buying them (either by purchase or exchange). The redemption fee is paid directly to the Fund, and is designed to encourage long-term investment and to offset transaction and other costs associated with short-term or excessive trading. For purposes of determining whether the redemption fee applies, shares held the longest time will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held the shortest time will be treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee is applicable to fund shares purchased either directly or through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer. Transactions through financial intermediaries typically are placed with the Fund on an omnibus basis and include both purchase and sale transactions placed on behalf of multiple investors. These purchase and sale transactions are generally netted against one another and placed on an aggregate basis; consequently the identities of the individuals on whose behalf the transactions are placed generally are not known to the Fund. For this reason, the Fund has undertaken to notify financial intermediaries of their obligation to assess the redemption fee on customer accounts and to collect and remit the proceeds to the Fund. However, due to operational requirements, the intermediaries' methods for tracking and calculating the fee may be inadequate or differ in some respects from the Fund's. The Fund may suspend or postpone redemptions as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act. Generally, those circumstances are when: (1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary weekend or holiday closings; (2) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted; (3) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by the Fund or the fair determination of the value of the Fund's net assets not reasonably practicable; or (4) the SEC, by order, permits the suspension of the right of redemption. Redemption payments by wire may also be delayed in the event of a non-routine closure of the Federal Reserve wire payment system. A request for repurchase (confirmed redemption) may be communicated by a shareholder through a financial services firm to DWS-SDI, which firms must promptly submit orders to be effective. Redemption requests must be unconditional. Redemption requests (and a stock power for certificated shares) must be duly endorsed by the account holder. As specified in the prospectus, signatures may need to be guaranteed by a commercial bank, trust company, savings and loan association, federal savings bank, member firm of a national securities exchange or other financial institution permitted by SEC rule. Additional documentation may be required, particularly from institutional and fiduciary account holders, such as corporations, custodians (e.g., under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act), executors, administrators, trustees or guardians. 64 If the proceeds of the redemption (prior to the imposition of any contingent deferred sales charge) are $100,000 or less and the proceeds are payable to the shareholder of record at the address of record, normally a telephone request or a written request by any one account holder without a signature guarantee is sufficient for redemptions by individual or joint account holders, and trust, executor and guardian account holders, provided the trustee, executor or guardian is named in the account registration. Other institutional account holders may exercise this special privilege of redeeming shares by telephone request or written request without signature guarantee subject to the same conditions as individual account holders, provided that this privilege has been pre-authorized by the institutional account holder by written instruction to the Shareholder Service Agent with signatures guaranteed. This privilege may not be used to redeem shares held in certificated form and may not be used if the shareholder's account has had an address change within 15 days of the redemption request. Wires. Delivery of the proceeds of a wire redemption of $250,000 or more may be delayed by the Fund for up to seven days if the Fund or the Shareholder Service Agent deems it appropriate under then-current market conditions. The ability to send wires is limited by the business hours and holidays of the firms involved. The Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the federal wire system or the account holder's financial services firm or bank. The account holder is responsible for any charges imposed by the account holder's firm or bank. To change the designated account to receive wire redemption proceeds, send a written request to the Fund Shareholder Service Agent with signatures guaranteed as described above or contact the firm through which Fund shares were purchased. Automatic Withdrawal Plan. The owner of $5,000 or more of a class of the Fund's shares at the offering price (net asset value plus, in the case of Class A shares, the initial sales charge) may provide for the payment from the owner's account of any requested dollar amount to be paid to the owner or a designated payee monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually. The $5,000 minimum account size is not applicable to IRAs. The minimum periodic payment is $50. The maximum annual rate at which shares, subject to CDSC may be redeemed is 12% of the net asset value of the account. Shares are redeemed so that the payee should receive payment approximately the first of the month. Investors using this Plan must reinvest Fund distributions. The purchase of Class A shares while participating in an automatic withdrawal plan will ordinarily be disadvantageous to the investor because the investor will be paying a sales charge on the purchase of shares at the same time that the investor is redeeming shares upon which a sales charge may have already been paid. Therefore, the Fund will not knowingly permit additional investments of less than $2,000 if the investor is at the same time making systematic withdrawals. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC). The following example will illustrate the operation of the CDSC. Assume that an investor makes a single purchase of $10,000 of the Fund's Class B shares and that 16 months later the value of the shares has grown by $1,000 through reinvested dividends and by an additional $1,000 of share appreciation to a total of $12,000. If the investor were then to redeem the entire $12,000 in share value, the CDSC would be payable only with respect to $10,000 because neither the $1,000 of reinvested dividends nor the $1,000 of share appreciation is subject to the charge. The charge would be at the rate of 3.00% ($300) because it was in the second year after the purchase was made. The rate of the CDSC is determined by the length of the period of ownership. Investments are tracked on a monthly basis. The period of ownership for this purpose begins the first day of the month in which the order for the investment is received. For example, an investment made in March of the year of investment will be eligible for the second year's charge if redeemed on or after March of the following year. In the event no specific order is requested when redeeming shares subject to a CDSC, the redemption will be made first from shares representing reinvested dividends and then from the earliest purchase of shares. DWS-SDI receives any CDSC directly. The charge will not be imposed upon redemption of reinvested dividends or share appreciation. The Class A CDSC will be waived in the event of: (a) redemptions by a participant-directed qualified retirement plan described in Code Section 401(a), a participant-directed non-qualified deferred compensation plan described in Code Section 457 or a 65 participant-directed qualified retirement plan described in Code Section 403(b)(7) which is not sponsored by a K-12 school district; (b) redemptions by employer-sponsored employee benefit plans using the subaccount record keeping system made available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates; (c) redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner) who has died; (d) redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner) who after purchase of the shares being redeemed becomes totally disabled (as evidenced by a determination by the federal Social Security Administration); (e) redemptions under the Fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan at a maximum of 12% per year of the net asset value of the account; and (f) redemptions of shares whose dealer of record at the time of the investment notifies DWS-SDI that the dealer waives the discretionary commission applicable to such Large Order NAV Purchase. The Class B CDSC will be waived for the circumstances set forth in items (c), (d) and (e) for Class A shares. In addition, this CDSC will be waived: (g) for redemptions made pursuant to any IRA systematic withdrawal based on the shareholder's life expectancy including, but not limited to, substantially equal periodic payments described in Internal Revenue Code Section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv) prior to age 59 1/2; (h) for redemptions to satisfy required minimum distributions after age 70 1/2 from an IRA account (with the maximum amount subject to this waiver being based only upon the shareholder's DWS Scudder IRA accounts); and (i) in connection with the following redemptions of shares held by employer sponsored employee benefit plans maintained on the subaccount record keeping system made available through ADP under an alliance with DWS-SDI and its affiliates: (1) to satisfy participant loan advances (note that loan repayments constitute new purchases for purposes of the CDSC and the conversion privilege), (2) in connection with retirement distributions (limited at any one time to 12% of the total value of plan assets invested in the Fund), (3) in connection with distributions qualifying under the hardship provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, (4) representing returns of excess contributions to such plans and (5) in connection with direct "roll over" distributions from a Flex Plan into a DWS Scudder IRA under the Class A net asset value purchase privilege. The Class C CDSC will be waived for the circumstances set forth in items (b), (c), (d) and (e) for Class A shares and for the circumstances set forth in items (g) and (h) for Class B shares. In addition, this CDSC will be waived for: (j) redemption of shares by an employer sponsored employee benefit plan that offers funds in addition to DWS Funds and whose dealer of record has waived the advance of the first year administrative service and distribution fees applicable to such shares and agrees to receive such fees quarterly, and (k) redemption of shares purchased through a dealer-sponsored asset allocation program maintained on an omnibus record-keeping system provided the dealer of record had waived the advance of the first year administrative services and distribution fees applicable to such shares and has agreed to receive such fees quarterly. In-kind Redemptions. The Fund reserves the right to honor any request for redemption or repurchase by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities. These securities will be chosen by the fund and 66 valued as they are for purposes of computing the Fund's net asset value. A shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash. Exchanges Shareholders may request a taxable exchange of their shares for shares of the corresponding class of other DWS Funds without imposition of a sales charge, subject to the provisions below. For purposes of calculating any CDSC, amounts exchanged retain their original cost and purchase date. Shares of money market funds that were acquired by purchase (not including shares acquired by dividend reinvestment) are subject to the applicable sales charge on exchange. Series of DWS Target Fund are available on exchange only during the Offering Period for such series as described in the applicable prospectus. Cash Management Fund Investment, Tax Free Money Fund Investment, New York Tax Free Money Fund Investment, Treasury Money Fund Investment, Money Market Fund Investment, Cash Management Fund Institutional, Cash Reserves Fund Institutional, Treasury Money Fund Institutional, Cash Reserve Fund, Inc. -- Prime Series, Cash Reserve Fund, Inc. -- Treasury Series, Cash Reserve Fund, Inc. -- Tax-Free Series, Tax-Exempt California Money Market Fund, Cash Account Trust, Investors Municipal Cash Fund and Investors Cash Trust are available on exchange but only through a financial services firm having a services agreement with DWS-SDI. All exchanges among money funds must meet applicable investor eligibility and investment requirements. Exchanges may only be made for funds that are available for sale in the shareholder's state of residence. Currently, Tax-Exempt California Money Market Fund is available for sale only in California; and the portfolios of Investors Municipal Cash Fund are available for sale in certain states. Shareholders must obtain prospectuses of the Funds they are exchanging into from dealers, other firms or DWS-SDI. Automatic Exchange Plan. The owner of $1,000 or more of any class of shares of a DWS Fund may authorize the automatic exchange of a specified amount ($50 minimum) of such shares for shares of the same class of another such DWS Fund. Exchanges will be made automatically until the shareholder or the Fund terminates the privilege. Exchanges are subject to the terms and conditions described above. Multi-Class Conversions. For purposes of conversion to Class A shares, shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions paid with respect to Class B shares in a shareholder's Fund account will be converted to Class A shares on a pro rata basis. DIVIDENDS The Fund intends to follow the practice of distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income, which includes any excess of net realized short-term capital gains over net realized long-term capital losses. The Fund may follow the practice of distributing the entire excess of net realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses. However, the Fund may retain all or part of such gain for reinvestment, after paying the related federal taxes for which shareholders may then be able to claim a credit against their federal tax liability. If the Fund does not distribute the amount of capital gain and/or ordinary income required to be distributed by an excise tax provision of the Code, the Fund may be subject to that excise tax. In certain circumstances, the Fund may determine that it is in the interest of shareholders to distribute less than the required amount. The Fund intends to distribute dividends from its net investment income excluding short-term capital gains annually in December. The Fund intends to distribute net realized capital gains after utilization of capital loss carryforwards, if any, in December to prevent application of a federal excise tax. An additional distribution may be made, if necessary. 67 Any dividends or capital gains distributions declared in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be treated by shareholders for federal income tax purposes as if received on December 31 of the calendar year declared. The level of income dividends per share (as a percentage of net asset value) will be lower for Class B and Class C Shares than for Class A Shares primarily as a result of the higher distribution services fee applicable to Class B and Class C Shares. Distributions of capital gains, if any, will be paid in the same amount for each class. Income and capital gain dividends, if any, of the Fund will be credited to shareholder accounts in full and fractional shares of the same class of the Fund at net asset value on the reinvestment date, except that, upon written request to the Shareholder Service Agent, a shareholder may select one of the following options: 1. To receive income and short-term capital gain dividends in cash and long-term capital gain dividends in shares of the same class at net asset value; or 2. To receive income and capital gain dividends in cash. Dividends will be reinvested in shares of the same class of the Fund unless shareholders indicate in writing that they wish to receive them in cash or in shares of other DWS Funds with multiple classes of shares or DWS Funds as provided in the prospectus. To use this privilege of investing dividends of the Fund in shares of another DWS Fund, shareholders must maintain a minimum account value of $1,000 in the Fund distributing the dividends. The Fund will reinvest dividend checks (and future dividends) in shares of that same Fund and class if checks are returned as undeliverable. Dividends and other distributions of the Fund in the aggregate amount of $10 or less are automatically reinvested in shares of the Fund unless the shareholder requests that such policy not be applied to the shareholder's account. If an investment is in the form of a retirement plan, all dividends and capital gains distributions must be reinvested into the shareholder's account. If a shareholder has elected to reinvest any dividends and/or other distributions, such distributions will be made in shares of that Fund and confirmations will be mailed to each shareholder. If a shareholder has chosen to receive cash, a check will be sent. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains are taxable, whether made in shares or cash. Each distribution is accompanied by a brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution. The characterization of distributions on such correspondence may differ from the characterization for federal tax purposes. In January of each year, the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions in the prior calendar year. The Fund may at any time vary its foregoing dividend practices and, therefore, reserves the right from time to time to either distribute or retain for reinvestment such of its net investment income and its net short-term and long-term capital gains as its Board determines appropriate under the then current circumstances. In particular, and without limiting the foregoing, the Fund may make additional distributions of net investment income or capital gain net income in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements contained in the Code. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES The following is intended to be a general summary of certain federal income tax consequences of investing in the funds. It is not intended as a complete discussion of all such consequences, nor does it purport to deal with all categories of investors. Investors are therefore advised to consult with their tax advisors before making an investment in the Fund. 68 The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and their shareholders, the Fund must, among other things: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, and (ii) net income derived from interests in "qualified publicly traded partnerships" (as defined below); or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies; (b) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid--generally, taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt interest income, for such year; and (c) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's total assets is represented by cash and cash items, US Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets is invested (x) in the securities (other than those of the US Government or other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below). In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in paragraph (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized by the regulated investment company. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a "qualified publicly traded partnership" (defined as a partnership (i) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (ii) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in paragraph (a)(i) above) will be treated as qualifying income. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. Finally, for purposes of paragraph (c) above, the term "outstanding voting securities of such issuer" will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for the special federal income tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, all of its taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders), and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Such distributions would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment. The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on amounts required to be but not distributed under a prescribed formula. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund's taxable ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98% of the excess 69 of its capital gains over capital losses realized during the one-year period ending October 31 (in most cases) of such year as well as amounts that were neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the prior calendar year. Although the Fund's distribution policies should enable it to avoid excise tax liability, the Fund may retain (and be subject to income or excise tax on) a portion of its capital gain or other income if it appears to be in the interest of such Fund. Taxation of Distributions from the Fund. For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Funds owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares. Distributions of net capital gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for more than one year and that are properly designated by the Fund as capital gain dividends ("Capital Gain Dividends") will be taxable as long-term capital gains. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, distributions of investment income designated by the Fund as derived from "qualified dividend income" will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level. Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the Fund before a shareholder's investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid). Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares through the reinvestment privilege. A shareholder whose distributions are reinvested in shares will be treated as having received a dividend equal to the fair market value of the new shares issued to the shareholder. Any gain resulting from the sale or exchange of Fund shares generally will be taxable as capital gains. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced -- in general, to 15% with lower rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% rate brackets -- for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. In order for some portion of the dividends received by the Fund shareholder to be "qualified dividend income," the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund's shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company. In general, distributions of investment income designated by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund's shares. If the aggregate dividends received by the Fund during any taxable year are 95% or more of its gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Fund's dividends (other than dividends properly designated as capital gain dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only gain included in the term "gross income" is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss. Special tax rules apply to investments though defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax adviser to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of and investment on their particular tax situation. 70 Dividends Received Deduction. Dividends from domestic corporations may comprise a substantial part of the Fund's gross income. If any such dividends constitute a portion of the Fund's gross income, a portion of the income distributions of such fund may be eligible for the 70% deduction for dividends received by corporations. Shareholders will be informed of the portion of dividends which so qualify. The dividends-received deduction is reduced to the extent the shares of the Fund with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under federal income tax law and is eliminated if either those shares or the shares of the Fund are deemed to have been held by the Fund or the shareholder, as the case may be, for less than 46 days during the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend. Transactions in Fund Shares. The sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of shares of the Fund will be treated as short-term gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of the Fund will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares of the Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Foreign Taxation. Foreign withholding or other foreign taxes with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) on certain foreign securities may occur. These taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of an applicable US income tax treaty. As it is not expected that more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets will consist of securities issued by foreign corporations, the Funds will not be eligible to pass through to shareholders its proportionate share of any foreign taxes paid, with the result that shareholders will not be able to include in income, and will not be entitled to take any credits or deductions for such foreign taxes. Passive Foreign Investment Companies. Equity investments by the Fund in certain "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") could potentially subject the Fund to a US federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, such Fund may elect to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" (a "QEF election"), in which case the Fund would be required to include its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company. Such Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings "to the market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require such Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund's total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as "qualified dividend income." Other Tax Considerations. The Fund's use of options, futures contracts, forward contracts (to the extent permitted) and certain other Strategic Transactions will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate the Fund's income, defer losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of portfolio securities, convert capital gains into ordinary income and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to investors. Certain of the Fund's hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. The distribution (if any) of such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient's basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter as a gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Fund's book income is less than its taxable income, the Fund could 71 be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment. The Fund's investment in zero coupon bonds and other debt obligations having original issue discount may cause the Fund to recognize taxable income in excess of any cash received from the investment. Under the backup withholding provisions of the Code, redemption proceeds as well as distributions may be subject to federal income tax withholding for certain shareholders, including those who fail to furnish the Fund with their taxpayer identification numbers and certifications as to their tax status. Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares. Capital gains distributions may be reduced if Fund capital loss carryforwards are available. Any capital loss carryforwards to which the Fund is entitled are disclosed in the Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. All distributions by the Fund result in a reduction in the net asset value of that Fund's shares. Should a distribution reduce the net asset value below a shareholder's cost basis, such distribution would nevertheless be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain as described above, even though, from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In particular, investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of buying shares just prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a distribution will receive a partial return of capital upon the distribution, which will nevertheless be taxable to them. Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances. Non-US Shareholders. In general, dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a "US person" within the meaning of the Code (such shareholder, a "foreign person") are subject to withholding of US federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding. However, before January 1, 2008, the Fund will not be required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (w) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a US person, (x) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (y) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (z) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person is a controlled foreign corporation) from US-source interest income that would not be subject to US federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions are properly designated by the Fund, and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to an individual foreign person who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, to the extent such distributions are properly designated by the Fund. Depending on the circumstances, the Fund may make such designations with respect to all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a foreign person will need 72 to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund makes a designation with respect to a payment. Foreign persons should consult their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their account. If a beneficial holder who is a foreign person has a trade or business in the United States, and the dividends are effectively connected with the conduct by the beneficial holder of a trade or business in the United States, the dividend will be subject to US federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates. Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their own circumstances regarding the above-described general federal income taxation rules and with respect to other federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences to them of an investment in shares of the Fund. NET ASSET VALUE The net asset value of shares of the Fund is computed as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") on each day the Exchange is open for trading (the "Value Time"). The Exchange is scheduled to be closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. Net asset value per share is determined separately for each class of shares by dividing the value of the total assets of the Fund attributable to the shares of that class, less all liabilities attributable to that class, by the total number of shares of that class outstanding. The per share net asset value may be lower for certain classes of the Fund because of higher expenses borne by these classes. 73 An equity security is valued at its most recent sale price on the security's primary exchange or OTC market as of the Value Time. Lacking any sales, the security is valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid quotation and the most recent asked quotation (the "Calculated Mean") on such exchange or OTC market as of the Value Time. If it is not possible to determine the Calculated Mean, the security is valued at the most recent bid quotation on such exchange or OTC market as of the Value Time. In the case of certain foreign exchanges or OTC markets, the closing price reported by the exchange or OTC market (which may sometimes be referred to as the "official close" or the "official closing price" or other similar term) will be considered the most recent sale price. Debt securities are valued as follows. Money market instruments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of 60 days or less, maturing at par, are valued at amortized cost. Other money market instruments are valued based on information obtained from an approved pricing agent or, if such information is not readily available, by using matrix pricing techniques (formula driven calculations based primarily on current market yields). Bank loans are valued at prices supplied by an approved pricing agent (which are intended to reflect the mean between the bid and asked prices), if available, and otherwise at the mean of the most recent bid and asked quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, based on quotations or evaluated prices obtained from one or more broker-dealers. Privately placed debt securities, other than Rule 144A debt securities, initially are valued at cost and thereafter based on all relevant factors including type of security, size of holding and restrictions on disposition. Municipal debt securities are valued at prices supplied by an approved pricing agent (which are intended to reflect the mean between the bid and asked prices), if available, and otherwise at the mean of the most recent bid and asked quotations or evaluated price obtained from a broker-dealer. Other debt securities are valued at prices supplied by an approved pricing agent, if available, and otherwise at the most recent bid quotation or evaluated price, as applicable, obtained from one or more broker-dealers. If it is not possible to value a particular debt security pursuant to the above methods, the security is valued on the basis of factors including (but not limited to) maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination, and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. An exchange-traded option contract on securities, currencies and other financial instruments is valued at its most recent sale price on the relevant exchange. Lacking any sales, the option contract is valued at the Calculated Mean. If it is not possible to determine the Calculated Mean, the option contract is valued at the most recent bid quotation in the case of a purchased option contract or the most recent asked quotation in the case of a written option contract, in each case as of the Value Time. An option contract on securities, currencies and other financial instruments traded in the OTC market is valued on the Value Date at the evaluated price provided by the broker-dealer with which it was traded. Futures contracts (and options thereon) are valued at the most recent settlement price, if available, on the exchange on which they are traded most extensively. With the exception of stock index futures contracts which trade on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, closing settlement times are prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. For stock index futures contracts which trade on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, closing settlement prices are normally available at approximately 4:20 Eastern time. If no settlement price is available, the last traded price on such exchange will be used. If market quotations for portfolio assets are not readily available or the value of a portfolio asset as determined in accordance with Board approved procedures does not represent the fair market value of the portfolio asset, the value of the portfolio asset is taken to be an amount which, in the opinion of the Fund's Pricing Committee (or, in some cases, the Board's Valuation Committee), represents fair market value. The value of other portfolio holdings owned by the Fund is determined in a manner which is intended to fairly reflect the fair market value of the asset on the valuation date, based on valuation procedures adopted by the Fund's Board and overseen primarily by the Fund's Pricing Committee. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS The following table presents certain information regarding the Board Members of the Trust. Each Board Member's year of birth is set forth in parentheses after his or her name. Unless otherwise noted, (i) each Board Member has engaged in the principal occupation(s) noted in the table for at least the most recent five years, although not necessarily in the same capacity, and (ii) the address of each Independent Board Member, that is, they are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or the Advisor, is c/o Dawn-Marie Driscoll, PO Box 100176, Cape Coral, FL 33904. The term of office for each Board Member is until the election and qualification of 74 a successor, or until such Board Member sooner dies, resigns, is removed or as otherwise provided in the governing documents of the Trust. Because the Fund does not hold an annual meeting of shareholders, each Board Member will hold office for an indeterminate period. The Board Members may also serve in similar capacities with other funds in the DWS fund complex. Independent Board Members
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Year of Birth, Number of Position Held with the Funds in DWS Trust and Length of Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Fund Complex Time Served 5 Years Overseen - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dawn-Marie Driscoll (1946) President, Driscoll Associates (consulting firm); Executive 88 Chairman since 2004 Fellow, Center for Business Ethics, Bentley College; Board Member since formerly, Partner, Palmer & Dodge (1988-1990); Vice 1987 President of Corporate Affairs and General Counsel, Filene's (1978-1988). Directorships: Advisory Board, Center for Business Ethics, Bentley College; Trustee, Southwest Florida Community Foundation (charitable organization); Former Directorships: Investment Company Institute (audit, executive, nominating committees) and Independent Directors Council (governance, executive committees) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry P. Becton, Jr. President, WGBH Educational Foundation. Directorships: 86 (1943) Association of Public Television Stations; Becton Dickinson Board Member since and Company(1) (medical technology company); Belo 1990 Corporation(1) (media company); Boston Museum of Science; Public Radio International. Former Directorships: American Public Television; Concord Academy; New England Aquarium; Mass. Corporation for Educational Telecommunications; Committee for Economic Development; Public Broadcasting Service - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keith R. Fox (1954) Managing General Partner, Exeter Capital Partners (a series 88 Board Member since of private equity funds). Directorships: Progressive Holding 1996 Corporation (kitchen goods importer and distributor); Natural History, Inc. (magazine publisher); Box Top Media Inc. (advertising). Former Directorships: Cloverleaf Transportation Inc. (trucking) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth C. Froewiss Clinical Professor of Finance, NYU Stern School of Business 87 (1945) (1997-present); Member, Finance Committee, Association for Board Member since Asian Studies (2002-present); Director, Mitsui Sumitomo 2005 Insurance Group (US) (2004-present); prior thereto, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan (investment banking firm) (until 1996) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin J. Gruber Nomura Professor of Finance, Leonard N. Stern School of 88 (1937) Business, New York University (since September 1965); Board Member since Director, Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (since January 1992), Thai 2006 Capital Fund, Inc. (since January 2000), Singapore Fund, Inc. (since January 2000). Formerly, Trustee, TIAA (pension funds) (January 1996-January 2000); Trustee, CREF and CREF Mutual Funds (January 2000-March 2005); Chairman, CREF and CREF Mutual Funds (February 2004-March 2005); and Director, S.G. Cowen Mutual Funds (January 1985-January 2001) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 75 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Year of Birth, Number of Position Held with the Funds in DWS Trust and Length of Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Fund Complex Time Served 5 Years Overseen - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard J. Herring Jacob Safra Professor of International Banking and 88 (1946) Professor, Finance Department, The Wharton School, Board Member since University of Pennsylvania (since July 1972); Director, 2006 Lauder Institute of International Management Studies (since July 2000); Co-Director, Wharton Financial Institutions Center (since July 2000). Formerly, Vice Dean and Director, Wharton Undergraduate Division (July 1995-June 2000) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Graham E. Jones Senior Vice President, BGK Realty, Inc. (commercial real 88 (1933) estate) (since 1995). Formerly, Trustee of various Board Member since investment companies managed by Sun Capital Advisors, Inc. 2006 (1998-2005), Morgan Stanley Asset Management (1985-2001) and Weiss, Peck and Greer (1985-2005) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rebecca W. Rimel President and Chief Executive Officer, The Pew Charitable 88 (1951) Trusts (charitable foundation) (1994 to present); Trustee, Board Member since Thomas Jefferson Foundation (charitable organization) (1994 2006 to present); Trustee, Executive Committee, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (2001 to present). Formerly, Executive Vice President, The Glenmede Trust Company (investment trust and wealth management) (1983 to 2004); Board Member, Investor Education (charitable organization) (2004-2005) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philip Saunders, Jr. Principal, Philip Saunders Associates (economic and 88 (1935) financial consulting) (since November 1988). Formerly, Board Member since Director, Financial Industry Consulting, Wolf & Company 2006 (consulting) (1987-1988); President, John Hancock Home Mortgage Corporation (1984-1986); Senior Vice President of Treasury and Financial Services, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. (1982-1986) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William N. Searcy, Jr. Private investor since October 2003; Trustee of 7 open-end 88 (1946) mutual funds managed by Sun Capital Advisers, Inc. (since Board Member since October 1998). Formerly, Pension & Savings Trust Officer, 2006 Sprint Corporation(1) (telecommunications) (November 1989-September 2003) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jean Gleason Stromberg Retired. Formerly, Consultant (1997-2001); Director, US 88 (1943) Government Accountability Office (1996-1997); Partner, Board Member since Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P. (law firm) (1978-1996). 1999 Directorships: The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Service Source, Inc. Former Directorships: Mutual Fund Directors Forum (2002-2004), American Bar Retirement Association (funding vehicle for retirement plans) (1987-1990 and 1994-1996) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 76 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Year of Birth, Number of Position Held with the Funds in DWS Trust and Length of Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Fund Complex Time Served 5 Years Overseen - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl W. Vogt Retired Senior Partner, Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P. (law 86 (1936) firm); formerly, President (interim) of Williams College Board Member since (1999-2000); formerly, President of certain funds in the 2002 Deutsche Asset Management family of funds (formerly, Flag Investors family of funds) (registered investment companies) (1999-2000). Directorships: Yellow Corporation (trucking); American Science & Engineering (x-ray detection equipment). Former Directorships: ISI Family of Funds (registered investment companies, 4 funds overseen); National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak); formerly, Chairman and Member, National Transportation Safety Board - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested Board Member - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Year of Birth, Number of Position Held with the Funds in DWS Trust and Length of Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Fund Complex Time Served 5 Years Overseen - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Axel Schwarzer(2) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management; Head of 86 (1958) Deutsche Asset Management Americas; CEO of DWS Scudder; Board Member since formerly, Head of Sales and Product Management for the 2006 Retail and Private Banking Division of Deutsche Bank in Germany (1997-1999); formerly, various strategic and operational positions for Deutsche Bank Germany Retail and Private Banking Division in the field of investment funds, tax driven instruments and asset management for corporates (1989-1996) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Officers(3) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Year of Birth, Number of Position Held with the Funds in DWS Trust and Length of Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Fund Complex Time Served 5 Years Overseen - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael G. Clark(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1965) (2006-present); President of DWS family of funds; formerly, President, 2006-present Director of Fund Board Relations (2004-2006) and Director of Product Development (2000-2004), Merrill Lynch Investment Managers; Senior Vice President Operations, Merrill Lynch Asset Management (1999-2000) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Millette(6) (1962) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a Vice President and Secretary, 1999-present - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul H. Schubert(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since July n/a (1963) 2004); formerly, Executive Director, Head of Mutual Fund Chief Financial Services and Treasurer for UBS Family of Funds (1998-2004); Officer, 2004-present Vice President and Director of Mutual Fund Finance at UBS Treasurer, 2005-present Global Asset Management (1994-1998) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 77 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Year of Birth, Number of Position Held with the Funds in DWS Trust and Length of Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Fund Complex Time Served 5 Years Overseen - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patricia DeFilippis(5) Vice President, Deutsche Asset Management (since June n/a (1963) 2005); Counsel, New York Life Investment Management LLC Assistant Secretary, (2003-2005); legal associate, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC 2005-present (1998-2003) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elisa D. Metzger(5) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since September n/a (1962) 2005); Counsel, Morrison and Foerster LLP (1999-2005) Assistant Secretary, 2005-present - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Caroline Pearson(6) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1962) Assistant Secretary, 1997 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scott M. McHugh(6) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1971) Assistant Treasurer, 2005-present - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kathleen Sullivan Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a D'Eramo(6) (1957) Assistant Treasurer, 2003-present - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Robbins(5) (1966) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since n/a Anti-Money Laundering 2005); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Compliance Officer, Laundering Compliance Officer for GE Asset Management 2005-present (1999-2005) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Kloby(5) (1962) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a Chief Compliance (2004-present); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer/Chief Officer, 2006-present Risk Officer, Robeco USA (2000-2004); Vice President, The Prudential Insurance Company of America (1988-2000); E.F. Hutton and Company (1984-1988) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Thomas Smith(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1956) (2004-present); formerly, General Counsel, Morgan Stanley Chief Legal Officer, and Van Kampen and Investments (1999-2004); Vice President 2005-present and Associate General Counsel, New York Life Insurance Company (1994-1999); senior attorney, The Dreyfus Corporation (1991-1993); senior attorney, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (1989-1991); staff attorney, US Securities & Exchange Commission and the Illinois Securities Department (1986-1989) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 78 Interested Board Member - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Year of Birth, Number of Position Held with the Funds in DWS Trust and Length of Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Fund Complex Time Served 5 Years Overseen - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Axel Schwarzer(2) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management; Head of 86 (1958) Deutsche Asset Management Americas; CEO of DWS Scudder; Board Member since formerly, board member of DWS Investments, Germany 2006 (1999-2005); formerly, Head of Sales and Product Management for the Retail and Private Banking Division of Deutsche Bank in Germany (1997-1999); formerly, various strategic and operational positions for Deutsche Bank Germany Retail and Private Banking Division in the field of investment funds, tax driven instruments and asset management for corporates (1989-1996) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Officers(3) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Year of Birth, Number of Position Held with the Funds in DWS Trust and Length of Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Fund Complex Time Served 5 Years Overseen - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael G. Clark(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1965) (2006-present); President of DWS family of funds; formerly, President, 2006-present Director of Fund Board Relations (2004-2006) and Director of Product Development (2000-2004), Merrill Lynch Investment Managers; Senior Vice President Operations, Merrill Lynch Asset Management (1999-2000) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Millette(6) (1962) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a Vice President and Secretary, 1999-present - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul H. Schubert(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since July n/a (1963) 2004); formerly, Executive Director, Head of Mutual Fund Chief Financial Services and Treasurer for UBS Family of Funds (1998-2004); Officer, 2004-present Vice President and Director of Mutual Fund Finance at UBS Treasurer, 2005-present Global Asset Management (1994-1998) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patricia DeFilippis(5) Vice President, Deutsche Asset Management (since June n/a (1963) 2005); Counsel, New York Life Investment Management LLC Assistant Secretary, (2003-2005); legal associate, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC 2005-present (1998-2003) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elisa D. Metzger(5) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since September n/a (1962) 2005); Counsel, Morrison and Foerster LLP (1999-2005) Assistant Secretary, 2005-present - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Caroline Pearson(6) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1962) Assistant Secretary, 1997-present - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 79 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Year of Birth, Number of Position Held with the Funds in DWS Trust and Length of Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Fund Complex Time Served 5 Years Overseen - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scott M. McHugh(6) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1971) Assistant Treasurer, 2005-present - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kathleen Sullivan Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a D'Eramo(6) (1957) Assistant Treasurer, 2003-present - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Robbins(5) (1966) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since n/a Anti-Money Laundering 2005); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Compliance Officer, Laundering Compliance Officer for GE Asset Management 2005-present (1999-2005) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Kloby(5) (1962) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a Chief Compliance (2004-present); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer/Chief Officer, 2006-present Risk Officer, Robeco USA (2000-2004); Vice President, The Prudential Insurance Company of America (1988-2000); E.F. Hutton and Company (1984-1988) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Thomas Smith(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1956) (2004-present); formerly, General Counsel, Morgan Stanley Chief Legal Officer, and Van Kampen and Investments (1999-2004); Vice President 2005-present and Associate General Counsel, New York Life Insurance Company (1994-1999); senior attorney, The Dreyfus Corporation (1991-1993); senior attorney, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (1989-1991); staff attorney, US Securities & Exchange Commission and the Illinois Securities Department (1986-1989) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A publicly held company with securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (2) The mailing address of Axel Schwarzer is c/o Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154. Mr. Schwarzer is an interested Board Member by virtue of his positions with Deutsche Asset Management. (3) As a result of their respective positions held with the Advisor, these individuals are considered "interested persons" of the Advisor within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Interested persons receive no compensation from the Funds. (4) Executive title, not a board directorship. (5) Address: 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154. (6) Address: Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Each Officer also holds similar positions for other investment companies for which DeAM, Inc. or an affiliate serves as the advisor. 80 Officer's Role with Principal Underwriter: DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. Paul H. Schubert: Vice President Caroline Pearson: Secretary Information Concerning Committees and Meetings of Board Members The Board Members of the Trust met 10 times during the calendar year ended December 31, 2005 and each Board Member attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and meetings of the committees of the Board on which such Board Member served. Board Committees. Ms. Driscoll has served as Chair of the Board of the Fund since June 2004. The Board has established the following standing committees: Audit Committee, Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, Valuation Committee, Equity Oversight Committee, Fixed Income Oversight Committee, Marketing/Distribution/Shareholder Service Committee, Legal/Regulatory/Compliance Committee and Expense/Operations Committee. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Fund. It also makes recommendations regarding the selection of an independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, reviews the independence of such firm, reviews the scope of audit and internal controls, considers and reports to the Board on matters relating to a Fund's accounting and financial reporting practices, and performs such other tasks as the full Board deems necessary or appropriate. The Audit Committee receives annual representations from the independent registered public accounting firm as to its independence. The members of the Audit Committee are Keith R. Fox (Chair and Audit Committee Financial Expert), Kenneth C. Froewiss, Richard J. Herring, Graham E. Jones, Philip Saunders, Jr., William N. Searcy, Jr. and Jean Gleason Stromberg. The Audit Committee held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee (i) recommends to the Board candidates to serve as Board Members and (ii) oversees and, as appropriate, makes recommendations to the Board regarding other fund governance-related matters, including but not limited to Board compensation practices, retirement policies, self-evaluations of effectiveness, review of possible conflicts of interest and independence issues involving Board Members, allocations of assignments and functions of committees of the Board, and share ownership policies. The members of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are Henry P. Becton, Jr. (Chair), Graham E. Jones, Rebecca W. Rimel and Jean Gleason Stromberg. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee (previously known as the Committee on Independent Directors) held five (5) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Valuation Committee oversees Fund valuation matters, reviews valuation procedures adopted by the Board, determines the fair value of the Fund's securities as needed in accordance with the valuation procedures when actual market values are unavailable and performs such other tasks as the full Board deems necessary or appropriate. The members of the Valuation Committee are Keith R. Fox, Kenneth C. Froewiss, Martin J. Gruber, Richard J. Herring and Philip Saunders, Jr. (Chair). The Valuation Committee held six meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Board has established two Investment Oversight Committees, one focusing on Funds primarily investing in equity securities (the "Equity Oversight Committee") and one focusing on Funds primarily investing in fixed income securities (the "Fixed Income Oversight Committee"). These Committees meet regularly with Fund portfolio managers and other investment personnel to review the relevant Funds' investment strategies and investment performance. The members of the Equity Oversight Committee are Henry P. Becton, Jr., Martin J. Gruber (Chair), Richard J. Herring, Rebecca W. Rimel, Philip Saunders, Jr. and Carl W. Vogt. The members of the Fixed Income Oversight Committee are Dawn-Marie Driscoll, Keith R. Fox, Kenneth C. Froewiss, Graham E. Jones, William N. Searcy, Jr. (Chair) and Jean Gleason Stromberg. Each Investment Oversight Committee held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. 81 The Marketing/Distribution/Shareholder Service Committee (formerly known as the Marketing/Shareholder Servicing Committee) oversees (i) the quality, costs and types of shareholder services provided to the Funds and their shareholders, and (ii) the distribution-related services provided to the Funds and their shareholders. The members of the Marketing/Distribution/Shareholder Service Committee are Martin J. Gruber, Richard J. Herring (Chair), Rebecca W. Rimel, Jean Gleason Stromberg and Carl W. Vogt. The Marketing/Distribution/Shareholder Service Committee (previously known as the Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Committee) held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Legal/Regulatory/Compliance Committee oversees (i) the significant legal affairs of the Funds, including the handling of pending or threatened litigation or regulatory action involving the Funds, (ii) general compliance matters relating to the Funds and (iii) proxy voting. The members of the Legal/Regulatory/Compliance Committee are Henry P. Becton, Jr., Dawn-Marie Driscoll, Rebecca W. Rimel, William N. Searcy, Jr., Jean Gleason Stromberg and Carl W. Vogt (Chair). The Legal/Regulatory/Compliance Committee held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Expense/Operations Committee (i) monitors the Fund's total operating expense levels, (ii) oversees the provision of administrative services to the Fund, including the Fund's custody, fund accounting and insurance arrangements, and (iii) reviews the Fund's investment advisers' brokerage practices, including the implementation of related policies. The members of the Expense/Operations Committee are Henry P. Becton, Jr., Dawn-Marie Driscoll, Keith R. Fox, Kenneth C. Froewiss, Graham E. Jones (Chair), Philip Saunders, Jr. and William N. Searcy, Jr. This committee held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. Remuneration. Each Independent Board Member receives compensation from the Fund for his or her services, which includes an annual retainer and an attendance fee for each meeting attended. No additional compensation is paid to any Independent Board Member for travel time to meetings, attendance at directors' educational seminars or conferences, service on industry or association committees, participation as speakers at directors' conferences or service on special director task forces or subcommittees. Independent Board Members do not receive any employee benefits such as pension or retirement benefits or health insurance from the Fund or any fund in the DWS fund complex. Members of the Board who are officers, directors, employees or stockholders of Deutsche Asset Management or its affiliates receive no direct compensation from a Fund, although they are compensated as employees of Deutsche Asset Management, or its affiliates, and as a result may be deemed to participate in fees paid by the Funds. The following tables show compensation from the Fund and aggregate compensation from all of the funds in the DWS fund complex received by each Board Member during the calendar year 2005. Drs. Gruber, Herring, and Saunders, Messrs. Jones and Searcy and Ms. Rimel became members of the Board on May 5, 2006 and received no compensation from the Funds during the relevant periods. Mr. Schwarzer became a member of the Board on May 5, 2006, is an interested person of the Fund and received no compensation from the Fund or any fund in the DWS fund complex during the relevant periods. Total Compensation Aggregate Compensation from Fund and Name of Board Member from Fund DWS Fund Complex(1) - -------------------- ---------- ------------------- Henry P. Becton, Jr.(3)(4) $1,990 $164,000 Dawn-Marie Driscoll(2)(3)(4)(5) $3,105 $203,829 Keith R. Fox(3)(4)(5) $2,202 $184,829 Kenneth C. Froewiss(3)(5)(6) $510 $129,687 Martin J. Gruber(7)(9) $0 $135,000 Richard J. Herring(7)(8)(9) $0 $136,000 Graham E. Jones(7)(9) $0 $144,000 Rebecca W. Rimel(7)(8)(9) $0 $146,280 Philip Saunders, Jr.(7)(9) $0 $145,000 William N. Searcy, Jr.(7)(9) $0 $150,500 82 Total Compensation Aggregate Compensation from Fund and Name of Board Member from Fund DWS Fund Complex(1) - -------------------- ---------- ------------------- Jean Gleason Stromberg(3)(4)(5) $2,126 $178,549 Carl W. Vogt(3)(4)(5) $1,959 $162,049 (1) The DWS Fund Complex is composed of 167 funds. (2) Includes $19,000 in annual retainer fees in Ms. Driscoll's role as Chairman of the Board. (3) For each Board Member, except Mr. Froewiss, total compensation includes compensation for service on the boards of 20 trusts/corporations comprised of 43 funds/portfolios. For Mr. Froewiss total compensation includes compensation for service on the boards of 20 trusts/corporations comprised of 48 funds/portfolios. (4) Aggregate compensation reflects amounts paid to the Board Members for special meetings of ad hoc committees of the board in connection with the possible consolidation of the various DWS Fund boards and funds, meetings for considering fund expense simplification, and other legal and regulatory matters. Such amounts totaled $5,500 for Mr. Becton, $26,280 for Ms. Driscoll, $25,280 for Mr. Fox, $18,000 for Ms. Stromberg and $3,500 for Mr. Vogt. These meeting fees were borne by the applicable DWS Funds. (5) Aggregate compensation also reflects amounts paid to the Board Members for special meetings of the Board in connection with reviewing the funds' rebranding initiatives to change to the DWS Family of Funds. Such amounts totaled $1,000 for Ms. Driscoll, $1,000 for Mr. Fox, $1,000 for Mr. Froewiss, $1,000 for Ms. Stromberg and $1,000 for Mr. Vogt. The funds were reimbursed for these meeting fees by Deutsche Asset Management. (6) Mr. Froewiss was appointed to the previous board on September 15, 2005. His compensation includes fees received as a member of five DWS closed-end funds in 2005, for which he served on the board. (7) During calendar year 2005, the total number of funds overseen by each Board Member was 55 funds. (8) Of the amounts payable to Ms. Rimel and Dr. Herring, $45,630 and $28,724, respectively, was deferred pursuant to a deferred compensation plan. (9) Aggregate compensation reflects amounts paid to the Board Members for special meetings of ad hoc committees of the previous board in connection with the possible consolidation of the various DWS Fund boards and funds, meetings for considering fund expense simplification, and other legal and regulatory matters. Such amounts totaled $3,000 for Dr. Gruber, $2,000 for Dr. Herring, $10,000 for Mr. Jones, $12,280 for Ms. Rimel, $13,000 for Dr. Saunders and $16,500 for Mr. Searcy. These meeting fees were borne by the applicable funds. Any Board Member who receives fees from the Fund is permitted to defer 50% to 100% of his or her annual compensation pursuant to a Deferred Compensation Plan. Messrs. Herring, Saunders and Ms. Rimel have each executed a Deferred Compensation Agreement. Currently, the deferring Board Members may select from among certain funds in the DWS Family of Funds in which all or part of their deferral account shall be deemed to be invested. Distributions from the deferring Board Members' deferral accounts will be paid in cash, in generally equal quarterly installments over a period of ten years. Board Member Ownership in the Fund(1) The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Board Member in the Fund and DWS Fund Complex as of December 31, 2005. 83
Dollar Range of Aggregate Dollar Range of Beneficial Ownership Ownership in all Funds Overseen by in DWS Large Company Board Member Board Member Growth Fund in the DWS Fund Complex(2) - ------------ ----------- -------------------------- Independent Board Member: - ------------------------- Henry P. Becton, Jr. $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 Dawn-Marie Driscoll $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Keith R. Fox None Over $100,000 Kenneth C. Froewiss None Over $100,000 Martin J. Gruber None Over $100,000 Richard J. Herring None Over $100,000 Graham E. Jones None Over $100,000 Rebecca W. Rimel None Over $100,000 Philip Saunders, Jr. None Over $100,000 William N. Searcy, Jr. None Over $100,000 Jean Gleason Stromberg None Over $100,000 Carl W. Vogt None Over $100,000 Interested Board Member: - ------------------------ Axel Schwarzer None None(3)
(1) The amount shown includes share equivalents of funds which the Board Member is deemed to be invested pursuant to the Fund's deferred compensation plan. The inclusion therein of any shares deemed beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of the shares. (2) Securities beneficially owned as defined under the 1934 Act include direct and/or indirect ownership of securities where the Board Member's economic interest is tied to the securities, employment ownership and securities when the Board Member can exert voting power and when the Board Member has authority to sell the securities. The dollar ranges are: None, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, over $100,000. (3) Mr. Schwarzer as a non-US citizen does not own US registered funds but does own over $100,00 of DWS Funds registered outside the US. Ownership in Securities of the Advisor and Related Companies As reported to the Fund, the information in the following table reflects ownership by the Independent Board Members and their immediate family members of certain securities as of December 31, 2005. An immediate family member can be a spouse, children residing in the same household including step and adoptive children and any dependents. The securities represent ownership in an investment advisor or principal underwriter of the Fund and any persons (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment advisor or principal underwriter of the Fund (including Deutsche Bank AG). 84
Value of Percent of Owner and Securities on Class on an Independent Relationship to Title of an Aggregate Aggregate Board Member Board Member Company Class Basis Basis - ------------ ------------ ------- ----- ----- ----- Henry P. Becton, Jr. Dawn-Marie Driscoll Keith R. Fox Kenneth C. Froewiss Martin J. Gruber Richard J. Herring Graham E. Jones Rebecca W. Rimel Philip Saunders, Jr. William N. Searcy, Jr. Jean Gleason Stromberg Carl W. Vogt
Securities Beneficially Owned As of [Date with 30 days of filing], the Board Members and officers of the Trust owned, as a group, less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. To the best of the Fund's knowledge, as of [Date within 30 days of filing], no person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of the Fund's outstanding shares [, except as noted below]. 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 Agreement to Advance Certain Independent Trustee Expenses In connection with litigation or regulatory action related to possible improper market timing or other improper trading activity or possible improper marketing and sales activity in the Fund, DeIM has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund against any and all loss, damage, liability and expense, arising from market timing or marketing and sales matters alleged in any enforcement actions brought by governmental authorities involving or potentially affecting DeIM ("Enforcement Actions") or that are the basis for private actions brought by shareholders of the Fund against the Fund, their directors and officers, DeIM and/or certain other parties ("Private Litigation"), or any proceedings or actions that may be threatened or commenced in the future by any person (including governmental authorities), arising from or similar to the matters alleged in the Enforcement Actions or Private Litigation. In recognition of its undertaking to indemnify the Fund and in light of the rebuttable presumption generally afforded to independent directors/trustees of investment companies that they have not engaged in disabling conduct, DeIM has also agreed to indemnify the Independent Trustees against certain liabilities the Independent Trustees may incur from the matters alleged in any Enforcement Actions or Private Litigation or arising from or similar to the matters alleged in the Enforcement Actions or Private Litigation, and advance expenses that may be incurred by the Independent Trustees in connection with any Enforcement Actions or Private Litigation. DeIM is not, however, required to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses: (1) with respect to any proceeding or action which the Fund's Board determines that the Independent Trustee ultimately would not be entitled to indemnification or (2) for any liability of the Independent Trustee to the Fund or their shareholders to which the Independent Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or 93 reckless disregard of the Independent Trustee's duties as a trustee of the Fund as determined in a final adjudication in such action or proceeding. The estimated amount of any expenses that may be advanced to the Independent Trustees or indemnity that may be payable under the indemnity agreements is currently unknown. This undertaking by DeIM will survive the termination of the investment management agreements between DeIM and the Funds. TRUST ORGANIZATION Organizational Description. The Fund is a series of DWS Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust established under a Declaration of Trust dated September 20, 1984, as amended. The name of the Trust was changed, effective March 6, 1991 from Scudder Growth and Income Fund, and on June 10, 1998 from Scudder Investment Trust. The Trustees of the Trust have the authority to create additional Funds and to designate the relative rights and preferences as between the different Funds. The Trustees also may authorize the division of shares of the Fund into different classes, which may bear different expenses. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable, transferable, have no pre-emptive or conversion rights and are redeemable as described in the SAI and in the Fund's prospectuses. Each share has equal rights with each other share of the same class of the Fund as to voting, dividends, exchanges, conversion features and liquidation. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. The Trustees may also terminate any Fund or class by notice to the shareholders without shareholder approval. Currently, Class A, Class B, Class C Class S and Institutional Class shares are offered by the Fund. The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws of Massachusetts and is governed by an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust that was approved by shareholders in the second quarter of 2006, as may be further amended from time to time (the "Declaration of Trust"). All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable, transferable, have no preemptive or conversion rights (except as may be determined by the Board of Trustees) and are redeemable as described in the SAI and the Fund's prospectus. Each share has equal rights with each other share of the same class of the Fund as to voting, dividends, exchanges, conversion features and liquidation. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. The Fund generally is not required to hold meetings of its shareholders. Under the Declaration of Trust, however, shareholder meetings will be held in connection with the following matters to the extent and as provided in the Declaration of Trust and as required by applicable law: (a) the election or removal of trustees if a meeting is called for such purpose; (b) the termination of the Trust or a Fund; (c) an amendment of the Declaration of Trust; (d) to the same extent as stockholders of Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claims should or should not be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders; (e) a merger, consolidation or sale of assets; (f) the adoption of an investment advisory or management contract; (g) the incorporation of the Trust or any series; (h) any plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (or any successor rule) under the 1940 Act; and (i) such additional matters as may be required by law, the Declaration of Trust, the By-laws of the Fund, or any registration of a Fund with the SEC, or as the Trustees may determine to be necessary or desirable. Shareholders also vote upon changes in fundamental policies or restrictions. The Declaration of Trust provides that shareholder meeting quorum requirements shall be established in the Trust's By-laws. The By-laws currently in effect provide that the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of thirty percent of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting (or of an individual series or class if required to vote separately) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at meetings of shareholders of the Trust. On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, all shares of the Trust entitled to vote shall, except as otherwise provided in the Trust's By-Laws, be voted in the aggregate as a single class without regard to series or classes of shares, except (a) when required by applicable law or when the Trustees shall have determined that the matter affects one or more series or classes of shares materially differently, shares shall be voted by individual series or 94 class; and (b) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects only the interests of one or more series or classes, only shareholders of such series or classes shall be entitled to vote thereon. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Board of Trustees may, in its discretion, establish minimum investment amounts for shareholder accounts, impose fees on accounts that do not exceed a minimum investment amount and involuntarily redeem shares in any such account in payment of such fees. The Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, also may cause the Trust to redeem all of the shares of the Trust or one or more series or classes held by any shareholder for any reason, to the extent permissible by the 1940 Act, including (a) if the shareholder owns shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than a specified minimum amount, (b) if a particular shareholder's ownership of shares would disqualify a series from being a regulated investment company, (c) upon a shareholder's failure to provide sufficient identification to permit the Trust to verify the shareholder's identity, (d) upon a shareholder's failure to pay for shares or meet or maintain the qualifications for ownership of a particular class or series of shares, (e) if the Board of Trustees determines (or pursuant to policies established by the Board it is determined) that share ownership by a particular shareholder is not in the best interests of remaining shareholders, (f) when the Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority or applicable law and (g) upon a shareholder's failure to comply with a request for information with respect to the direct or indirect ownership of shares of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust also authorizes the Board of Trustees to terminate the Fund or any class without shareholder approval, and the Trust may suspend the right of shareholders to require the Trust to redeem shares to the extent permissible under the 1940 Act. Upon the termination of the Trust or any series, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities which may include the establishment of a liquidating trust or similar vehicle, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may distribute the remaining Trust property or property of the series, in cash or in kind or partly each, to the shareholders of the Trust or the series involved, ratably according to the number of shares of the Trust or such series held by the several shareholders of the Trust or such series on the date of termination, except to the extent otherwise required or permitted by the preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of any classes of shares of a series involved, provided that any distribution to the shareholders of a particular class of shares shall be made to such shareholders pro rata in proportion to the number of shares of such class held by each of them. The composition of any such distribution (e.g., cash, securities or other assets) shall be determined by the Trust in its sole discretion, and ay be different among shareholders (including differences among shareholders in the same series or class). Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for obligations of a Fund. The Declaration of Trust, however, disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the Fund's trustees. Moreover, the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of Fund property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund and the Fund may be covered by insurance which the Trustees consider adequate to cover foreseeable tort claims. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is considered by the Advisor remote and not material, since it is limited to circumstances in which a disclaimer is inoperative and the Fund itself is unable to meet its obligations. 95 96 PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES The Funds have delegated proxy voting responsibilities to the Advisor, subject to the Board's general oversight. The Funds have delegated proxy voting to the Advisor with the direction that proxies should be voted consistent with the Funds' best economic interests. The Advisor has adopted its own Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ("Policies"), and Proxy Voting Guidelines ("Guidelines") for this purpose. The Policies address, among other things, conflicts of interest that may arise between the interests of the Funds, and the interests of the Advisor and its affiliates, including the Funds' principal underwriter. The Guidelines set forth the Advisor's general position on various proposals, such as: o Shareholder Rights -- The Advisor generally votes against proposals that restrict shareholder rights. o Corporate Governance -- The Advisor generally votes for confidential and cumulative voting and against supermajority voting requirements for charter and bylaw amendments. The Advisor generally votes for proposals to restrict a chief executive officer from serving on more than three outside boards of directors. The Advisor generally votes against proposals that require a company to appoint a Chairman who is an independent director. o Anti-Takeover Matters -- The Advisor generally votes for proposals that require shareholder ratification of poison pills or that request boards to redeem poison pills, and votes against the adoption of poison pills if they are submitted for shareholder ratification. The Advisor generally votes for fair price proposals. o Compensation Matters -- The Advisor generally votes for executive cash compensation proposals, unless they are unreasonably excessive. The Advisor generally votes against stock option plans that do not meet the Advisor's criteria. o Routine Matters -- The Advisor generally votes for the ratification of auditors, procedural matters related to the annual meeting and changes in company name, and against bundled proposals and adjournment. The general provisions described above do not apply to investment companies. The Advisor generally votes proxies solicited by investment companies in accordance with the recommendations of an independent third party, except for proxies solicited by or with respect to investment companies for which the Advisor or an affiliate serves as the Advisor or principal underwriter ("affiliated investment companies"). The Advisor votes affiliated investment company proxies in the same proportion as the vote of the investment company's other shareholders (sometimes called "mirror" or "echo" voting). Master fund proxies solicited from feeder funds are voted in accordance with applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Although the Guidelines set forth the Advisor's general voting positions on various proposals, the Advisor may, consistent with the Funds' best interests, determine under some circumstances to vote contrary to those positions. The Guidelines on a particular issue may or may not reflect the view of individual members of a Board or of a majority of a Board. In addition, the Guidelines may reflect a voting position that differs from the actual practices of the public companies within the Deutsche Bank organization or of the investment companies for which the Advisor or an affiliate serves as investment advisor or sponsor. The Advisor may consider the views of a portfolio company's management in deciding how to vote a proxy or in establishing general voting positions for the Guidelines, but management's views are not determinative. As mentioned above, the Policies describe the way in which the Advisor resolves conflicts of interest. To resolve conflicts, the Advisor, under normal circumstances, votes proxies in accordance with its Guidelines. If the Advisor departs from the Guidelines with respect to a particular proxy or if the Guidelines do not specifically address a certain proxy proposal, a proxy voting committee established by the Advisor will vote the proxy. Before voting any such proxy, however, the Advisor's conflicts review committee will conduct an investigation to 97 determine whether any potential conflicts of interest exist in connection with the particular proxy proposal. If the conflicts review committee determines that the Advisor has a material conflict of interest, or certain individuals on the proxy voting committee should be recused from participating in a particular proxy vote, it will inform the proxy voting committee. If notified that the Advisor has a material conflict, or fewer than three voting members are eligible to participate in the proxy vote, typically the Advisor will engage an independent third party to vote the proxy or follow the proxy voting recommendations of an independent third party. Under certain circumstances, the Advisor may not be able to vote proxies or the Advisor may find that the expected economic costs from voting outweigh the benefits associated with voting. For example, the Advisor may not vote proxies on certain foreign securities due to local restrictions or customs. The Advisor generally does not vote proxies on securities subject to share blocking restrictions. You may obtain information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission's Web site at www.sec.gov or by visiting our Web site at: www.dws-scudder.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page). FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The financial statements, including the portfolio of investments of DWS Large Company Growth Fund, together with the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Financial Highlights and notes to financial statements in the Annual Report to Shareholders of the Fund dated July 31, 2006, are incorporated herein by reference and are hereby deemed to be a part of this SAI ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The CUSIP numbers for each class of DWS Large Company Growth Fund are: Class A: 23338J822 Class B: 23338J814 Class C: 23338J798 Institutional Class: 23338J756 DWS Large Company Growth Fund has a fiscal year end of July 31. On August 10, 1998, the Board of DWS Large Company Growth Fund changed the Fund's fiscal year end to July 31 from October 31. 98 The Fund's prospectus and this SAI omit certain information contained in the Registration Statement and its amendments which the Fund has filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement for further information with respect to the Fund and the securities offered hereby. This Registration Statement and its amendments are available for inspection by the public at the SEC in Washington D.C. 99 DWS INVESTMENT TRUST (FORMERLY INVESTMENT TRUST) DWS Large Company Growth Fund (formerly Scudder Large Company Growth Fund) December 1, 2006 STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Class S This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Class S prospectus dated December 1, 2006 (the "Fund" ), as amended from time to time, a copy of which may be obtained without charge by contacting DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc., 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606, 1-800-728-3337, or from the firm from which this Statement of Additional Information was obtained and is available along with other materials on the Securities and Exchange Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov). The Annual Report to Shareholders of the Fund dated July 31, 2006 accompanies this Statement of Additional Information. The financial statements contained therein, together with accompanying notes, are incorporated by reference and are hereby deemed to be part of this Statement of Additional Information. This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is incorporated by reference into the Fund's prospectus. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS........................................................1 INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES.............................................3 Portfolio Holdings Information.............................................18 MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND........................................................20 Investment Advisor.........................................................20 Compensation of Portfolio Managers.........................................30 Fund Ownership of Portfolio Managers.......................................31 Conflicts of Interest......................................................31 Administrative Agreement...................................................33 FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS........................................................36 Underwriter................................................................36 Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm..............................36 Legal Counsel..............................................................37 Fund Accounting Agent......................................................37 Custodian, Transfer Agent and Shareholder Service Agent....................38 PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS........................................................38 PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES.............................................41 DIVIDENDS.....................................................................53 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES..........................................................54 NET ASSET VALUE...............................................................59 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS.........................................................69 TRUST ORGANIZATION............................................................80 PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES.......................................................82 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..........................................................84 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION........................................................84 i INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund's investment objective and policies are not fundamental and may be changed without a vote of shareholders. There can be no assurance that the Fund objective will be met. Any investment restrictions herein which involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after and is caused by an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund. The Fund has elected to be classified as a diversified series of an open-end investment company. A diversified fund may not, with respect to 75% of total assets, invest more than 5% of total assets in the securities of a single issuer or invest in more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not: (1) borrow money, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; (2) issue senior securities, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; (3) concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; (4) engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities; (5) purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that the fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the fund's ownership of securities; (6) purchase or sell commodities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by the regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. (7) make loans except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. A fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund which, under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and as used in this SAI, means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Trustees of DWS Investment Trust (the "Trust") have voluntarily adopted certain policies and restrictions, which are observed in the conduct of the Fund's affairs. Nonfundamental policies may be changed by the Trustees of the Trust without requiring prior notice to or approval of shareholders. As a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Fund currently may not: (a) borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of its total assets, except (i) for temporary or emergency purposes and (ii) by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, or other investments or transactions described in the Fund's registration statement which may be deemed to be borrowings; (b) enter into either reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls in an amount greater than 5% of its total assets; (c) purchase securities on margin or make short sales, except (i) short sales against the box, (ii) in connection with arbitrage transactions, (iii) for margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options or other permitted investments, (iv) that transactions in futures contracts and options shall not be deemed to constitute selling securities short, and (v) that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of securities transactions; (d) purchase options, unless the aggregate premiums paid on all such options held by the Fund at any time do not exceed 20% of its total assets; or sell put options, if as a result, the aggregate value of the obligations underlying such put options would exceed 50% of its total assets; (e) enter into futures contracts or purchase options thereon unless immediately after the purchase, the value of the aggregate initial margin with respect to such futures contracts entered into on behalf of the Fund and the premiums paid for such options on futures contracts does not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's total assets; provided that in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in computing the 5% limit; (f) purchase warrants if as a result, such securities, taken at the lower of cost or market value, would represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (for this purpose, warrants acquired in units or attached to securities will be deemed to have no value); (g) lend portfolio securities in an amount greater than 33 1/3% of its total assets; or (h) acquire securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act. The Fund is restricted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC" or "Commission") 15% limitation on investing in illiquid securities. Temporary Defensive Policy. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest, without limit, in cash and cash equivalents (including foreign money market instruments, such as bankers' acceptances, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, short-term government and corporate obligations, and repurchase agreements), obligations issued or guaranteed by the US government, its agencies or instrumentalities ("Government Securities"), domestic repurchase agreements, money market instruments and high quality debt securities without equity features. In such a case, the Fund would not be pursuing, and may not achieve, its investment objective. Master/feeder Fund Structure. The Board of Trustees has the discretion to retain the current distribution arrangement for the Fund while investing in a master fund in a master/feeder fund structure as described below. A master/feeder fund structure is one in which the Fund (a "feeder fund"), instead of investing directly in a portfolio of securities, invests most or all of its investment assets in a separate registered investment company (the "master fund") with substantially the same investment objective and policies as the feeder fund. Such a structure permits the pooling of assets of two or more feeder funds, preserving separate identities or distribution channels at the feeder fund level. Based on the premise that certain of the expenses of operating an investment portfolio are relatively fixed, a larger investment portfolio may eventually achieve a lower ratio of operating expenses to average net assets. An existing investment company is able to convert to a feeder fund by selling all of its investments, which involves brokerage and other transaction costs and realization of a taxable gain or loss, or by contributing its 2 assets to the master fund and avoiding transaction costs and, if proper procedures are followed, the realization of taxable gain or loss. INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES DWS Large Company Growth Fund, is a diversified series of DWS Investment Trust (the "Trust") The Fund is an open-end management investment company which continuously offers and redeems shares at net asset value. The Fund is a company of the type commonly known as a mutual fund. The Fund offers the following classes of shares: Class S, Class A, Class B, Class C, and Institutional Class shares. Class S shares of the Fund is offered herein. Each class has its own important features and policies. General Investment Objective and Policies Descriptions in this SAI of a particular investment practice or technique in which the Fund may engage are meant to describe the spectrum of investments that Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (the "Advisor") in its discretion might, but is not required to, use in managing the Fund's portfolio assets. The Advisor, may in its discretion at any time employ such practice, technique or instrument for one or more funds but not for all funds advised by it. Furthermore, it is possible that certain types of financial instruments or investment techniques described herein may not be available, permissible, economically feasible or effective for their intended purposes in all markets. Certain practices, techniques or instruments may not be principal activities of the Fund, but, to the extent employed, could from time to time have a material impact on the Fund's performance. It is possible that certain investment practices and techniques described below may not be permissible for the Fund based on its investment restrictions, as described herein, and in the Fund's prospectus. Borrowing. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. While the Fund's Board of Trustees does not currently intend to borrow for investment leveraging purposes, if such a strategy were implemented in the future it would increase the Fund's volatility and the risk of loss in a declining market. Borrowing by the Fund will involve special risk considerations. Although the principal of the Fund's borrowings will be fixed, the Fund's assets may change in value during the time a borrowing is outstanding, thus increasing exposure to capital risk. Common Stocks. Common stock is issued by companies to raise cash for business purposes and represents a proportionate interest in the issuing companies. Therefore, the Fund participates in the success or failure of any company in which it holds stock. The market values of common stock can fluctuate significantly, reflecting the business performance of the issuing company, investor perception and general economic and financial market movements. Despite the risk of price volatility, however, common stocks have historically offered a greater potential for long-term gain on investment, compared to other classes of financial assets such as bonds or cash equivalents, although there can be no assurance that this will be true in the future. Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities, that is, bonds, notes, debentures, preferred stocks and other securities which are convertible into common stock. Investments in convertible securities can provide an opportunity for capital appreciation and/or income through interest and dividend payments by virtue of their conversion or exchange features. The convertible securities in which the Fund may invest are either fixed income or zero coupon debt securities which may be converted or exchanged at a stated or determinable exchange ratio into underlying shares of common stock. The exchange ratio for any particular convertible security may be adjusted from time to time due to stock splits, dividends, spin-offs, other corporate distributions or scheduled changes in the exchange ratio. Convertible debt securities and convertible preferred stocks, until converted, have general characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. Although to a lesser extent than with debt securities generally, the market value of convertible 3 securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion or exchange feature, the market value of convertible securities typically changes as the market value of the underlying common stocks changes, and, therefore, also tends to follow movements in the general market for equity securities. A unique feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock, although typically not as much as the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer. As debt securities, convertible securities are investments which provide for a stream of income (or in the case of zero coupon securities, accretion of income) with generally higher yields than common stocks. Convertible securities generally offer lower yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality because of their conversion or exchange features. Of course, like all debt securities, there can be no assurance of income or principal payments because the issuers of the convertible securities may default on their obligations. Convertible securities generally are subordinated to other similar but non-convertible securities of the same issuer, although convertible bonds, as corporate debt obligations, enjoy seniority in right of payment to all equity securities, and convertible preferred stock is senior to common stock, of the same issuer. However, because of the subordination feature, convertible bonds and convertible preferred stock typically have lower ratings than similar non-convertible securities. Convertible securities may be issued as fixed income obligations that pay current income or as zero coupon notes and bonds, including Liquid Yield Option Notes ("LYONs"(TM)). Debt Securities. When the Advisor believes that it is appropriate to do so in order to achieve the Fund's objective of long-term capital appreciation, the Fund may invest in debt securities, including bonds of private issuers. Portfolio debt investments will be selected on the basis of, among other things, credit quality, and the fundamental outlooks for currency, economic and interest rate trends, taking into account the ability to hedge a degree of currency or local bond price risk. The Fund may purchase "investment-grade" bonds, rated Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody's or AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Advisor. The principal risks involved with investments in bonds include interest rate risk, credit risk and pre-payment risk. Interest rate risk refers to the likely decline in the value of bonds as interest rates rise. Generally, longer-term securities are more susceptible to changes in value as a result of interest-rate changes than are shorter-term securities. Credit risk refers to the risk that an issuer of a bond may default with respect to the payment of principal and interest. The lower a bond is rated, the more it is considered to be a speculative or risky investment. Pre-payment risk is commonly associated with pooled debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities and asset backed securities, but may affect other debt securities as well. When the underlying debt obligations are prepaid ahead of schedule, the return on the security will be lower than expected. Pre-payment rates usually increase when interest rates are falling. Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in sponsored or unsponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), International Depositary Receipts ("IDRs") and other types of Depositary Receipts (which, together with ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and IDRs are hereinafter referred to as "Depositary Receipts"). Depositary receipts provide indirect investment in securities of foreign issuers. Prices of unsponsored Depositary Receipts may be more volatile than if they were sponsored by the issuer of the underlying securities. Depositary Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the issuers of the stock of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. ADRs are Depositary Receipts which are bought and sold in the United States and are typically issued by a US bank or trust company, which evidence ownership of underlying securities by a foreign corporation. GDRs, IDRs and 4 other types of Depositary Receipts are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they may also be issued by United States banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or a United States corporation. Generally, Depositary Receipts in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities markets and Depositary Receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United States. For purposes of the Fund's investment policies, the Fund's investments in ADRs, GDRs and other types of Depositary Receipts will be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities. Depositary Receipts, including those denominated in US dollars, will be subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. However, by investing in US dollar-denominated ADRs rather than directly in foreign issuers' stock, the Fund avoids currency risks during the settlement period. In general, there is a large, liquid market in the United States for most ADRs. However, certain Depositary Receipts may not be listed on an exchange and therefore may be illiquid securities. Dollar Roll Transactions. Dollar roll transactions consist of the sale by the Fund to a bank or broker/dealer (the "counterparty") of GNMA certificates or other mortgage-backed securities together with a commitment to purchase from the counterparty similar, but not identical, securities at a future date, at the same price. The counterparty receives all principal and interest payments, including prepayments, made on the security while it is the holder. The Fund receives a fee from the counterparty as consideration for entering into the commitment to purchase. Dollar rolls may be renewed over a period of several months with a different purchase and repurchase price fixed and a cash settlement made at each renewal without physical delivery of securities. Moreover, the transaction may be preceded by a firm commitment agreement pursuant to which the Fund agrees to buy a security on a future date. The Fund will segregate cash, US Government securities or other liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet their purchase obligations under the transactions. The Fund will also maintain asset coverage of at least 300% for all outstanding firm commitments, dollar rolls and other borrowings. Dollar rolls may be treated for purposes of the 1940 Act as borrowings of the Fund because they involve the sale of a security coupled with an agreement to repurchase. Like all borrowings, a dollar roll involves costs to the Fund. For example, while the Fund receives a fee as consideration for agreeing to repurchase the security, the Fund forgoes the right to receive all principal and interest payments while the counterparty holds the security. These payments to the counterparty may exceed the fee received by the Fund, thereby effectively charging the Fund interest on its borrowing. Further, although the Fund can estimate the amount of expected principal prepayment over the term of the dollar roll, a variation in the actual amount of prepayment could increase or decrease the cost of the Fund's borrowing. The entry into dollar rolls involves potential risks of loss that are different from those related to the securities underlying the transactions. For example, if the counterparty becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to purchase from the counterparty might be restricted. Additionally, the value of such securities may change adversely before the Fund is able to purchase them. Similarly, the Fund may be required to purchase securities in connection with a dollar roll at a higher price than may otherwise be available on the open market. Since, as noted above, the counterparty is required to deliver a similar, but not identical security to the Fund, the security that the Fund is required to buy under the dollar roll may be worth less than an identical security. Finally, there can be no assurance that the Fund's use of the cash that they receive from a dollar roll will provide a return that exceeds borrowing costs. Foreign Securities. Investments in foreign securities involves certain special considerations, including those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in US securities and which may favorably or unfavorably affect the Fund's performance. As foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Many foreign stock markets, while growing in volume of trading activity, have substantially less volume than the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "Exchange"), and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of domestic companies. Similarly, volume and liquidity in most foreign bond markets is less than in the US and at times, volatility of price can be greater than in the US. Further, foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures and in certain markets there have been times 5 when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems either could result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in a possible liability to the purchaser. Payment for securities without delivery may be required in certain foreign markets. Fixed commissions on some foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on US exchanges, although the Fund will endeavor to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. Further, the Fund may encounter difficulties or be unable to pursue legal remedies and obtain judgments in foreign courts. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the US. It may be more difficult for the Fund's agents to keep currently informed about corporate actions such as stock dividends or other matters which may affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications between the US and foreign countries may be less reliable than within the US, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect US investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the US economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. The management of the Fund seeks to mitigate the risks associated with the foregoing considerations through diversification and continuous professional management. Because investments in foreign securities will usually involve currencies of foreign countries, and because the Fund may hold foreign currencies and forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts"), futures contracts and options on futures contracts on foreign currencies, the value of the assets of the Fund as measured in US dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations, and the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of US dollars, it does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into US dollars on a daily basis. It will do so from time to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread") between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward contracts (or options thereon) to purchase or sell foreign currencies. (See "Strategic Transactions and Derivatives" below.) Illiquid Securities and Restricted Securities. The Fund may purchase securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale ("restricted securities"). Generally speaking, restricted securities may be sold (i) only to qualified institutional buyers; (ii) in a privately negotiated transaction to a limited number of purchasers; (iii) in limited quantities after they have been held for a specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an exemption from registration; or (iv) in a public offering for which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Issuers of restricted securities may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Restricted securities are often illiquid, but they may also be liquid. For example, restricted securities that are eligible for resale under Rule 144A are often deemed to be liquid. The Fund's Board has approved guidelines for use by the Advisor in determining whether a security is liquid or illiquid. Among the factors the Advisor may consider in reaching liquidity decisions relating to Rule 144A securities are: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (4) the nature of the security and the nature of the market for the security (i.e., the time needed to 6 dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of the transfer). Issuers of restricted securities may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirement that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Where a registration statement is required for the resale of restricted securities, the Fund may be required to bear all or part of the registration expenses. The Fund may be deemed to be an "underwriter" for purposes of the 1933 Act when selling restricted securities to the public and, in such event, the Fund may be liable to purchasers of such securities if the registration statement prepared by the issuer is materially inaccurate or misleading. The Fund may also purchase securities that are not subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, but that are deemed illiquid. Such securities may be illiquid, for example, because there is a limited trading market for them. The Fund may be unable to sell a restricted or illiquid security. In addition, it may be more difficult to determine a market value for restricted or illiquid securities. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between the Fund's decision to sell a restricted or illiquid security and the point at which the Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell. This investment practice, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity of the Fund. Impact of Large Redemptions and Purchases of Fund shares. From time to time, shareholders of the Fund may make relatively large redemptions or purchases of Fund shares. These transactions may cause the Fund to have to sell securities or invest additional cash, as the case may be. While it is impossible to predict the overall impact of these transactions over time, there could be adverse effects on the Fund's performance to the extent that the Fund may be required to sell securities or invest cash at times when it would not otherwise do so. These transactions could also accelerate the realization of taxable income if sales of securities resulted in gains and could also increase transaction costs. IPO Risk. Securities issued through an initial public offering (IPO) can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price. Information about the issuers of IPO securities is also difficult to acquire since they are new to the market and may not have lengthy operating histories. The Fund may engage in short-term trading in connection with its IPO investments, which could produce higher trading costs and adverse tax consequences. The number of securities issued in an IPO is limited, so it is likely that IPO securities will represent a smaller component of the Fund's portfolio as the Fund's assets increase (and thus have a more limited effect on the Fund's performance). Interfund Borrowing and Lending Program. The Trust has received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which permits the Fund to participate in an interfund lending program among certain investment companies advised by the Advisor. The interfund lending program allows the participating funds to borrow money from and loan money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The program is subject to a number of conditions designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all participating funds, including the following: (1) no fund may borrow money through the program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than a rate approximating the lowest interest rate at which bank loans would be available to any of the participating funds under a loan agreement; and (2) no fund may lend money through the program unless it receives a more favorable return than that available from an investment in repurchase agreements and, to the extent applicable, money market cash sweep arrangements. In addition, the Fund may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and policies (for instance, money market funds would normally participate only as lenders and tax exempt funds only as borrowers). Interfund loans and borrowings may extend overnight, but could have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one day's notice. The Fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional costs. The program is subject to the oversight and periodic review of the Board of the participating fund. To the extent the Fund is actually engaged in borrowing through the interfund lending program, the Fund will comply with its nonfundamental policy on borrowing. 7 Investment of Uninvested Cash Balances. The Fund may have cash balances that have not been invested in portfolio securities ("Uninvested Cash"). Uninvested Cash may result from a variety of sources, including dividends or interest received from portfolio securities, unsettled securities transactions, reserves held for investment strategy purposes, scheduled maturity of investments, liquidation of investment securities to meet anticipated redemptions and dividend payments, and new cash received from investors. Uninvested Cash may be invested directly in money market instruments or other short-term debt obligations. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund may use Uninvested Cash to purchase shares of affiliated funds including money market funds, short-term bond funds and Cash Management QP Trust, or one or more future entities for which the Advisor acts as trustee or investment advisor that operate as cash management investment vehicles and that are excluded from the definition of investment company pursuant to Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (collectively, the "Central Funds") in excess of the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Investment by the Fund in shares of the Central Funds will be in accordance with the Fund's investment policies and restrictions as set forth in its registration statement. Certain of the Central Funds comply with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The other Central Funds are or will be short-term bond funds that invest in fixed-income securities and maintain a dollar weighted average maturity of three years or less. Each of the Central Funds will be managed specifically to maintain a highly liquid portfolio, and access to them will enhance the Fund's ability to manage Uninvested Cash. The Fund will invest Uninvested Cash in Central Funds only to the extent that the Fund's aggregate investment in the Central Funds does not exceed 25% of its total assets. Purchase and sales of shares of Central Funds are made at net asset value. Investment Company Securities. The Fund may acquire securities of other investment companies to the extent consistent with its investment objective and subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. For example, the Fund may invest in a variety of investment companies which seek to track the composition and performance of specific indexes or a specific portion of an index. These index-based investments hold substantially all of their assets in securities representing their specific index. Accordingly, the main risk of investing in index-based investments is the same as investing in a portfolio of equity securities comprising the index. The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the market value of their underlying portfolio securities and due to supply and demand for the instruments on the exchanges on which they are traded (which may result in their trading at a discount or premium to their NAVs). Index-based investments may not replicate exactly the performance of their specified index because of transaction costs and because of the temporary unavailability of certain component securities of the index. Examples of index-based investments include: SPDRs(R): SPDRs, an acronym for "Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts," are based on the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index. They are issued by the SPDR Trust, a unit investment trust that holds shares of substantially all the companies in the S&P 500 in substantially the same weighting and seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of the Index. MidCap SPDRs(R): MidCap SPDRs are based on the S&P MidCap 400 Index. They are issued by the MidCap SPDR Trust, a unit investment trust that holds a portfolio of securities consisting of substantially all of the common stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index in substantially the same weighting and seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of the Index. Select Sector SPDRs(R): Select Sector SPDRs are based on a particular sector or group of industries that are represented by a specified Select Sector Index within the Standard & Poor's Composite Stock Price Index. They are issued by The Select Sector SPDR Trust, an open-end management investment company with nine portfolios that each seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of a particular Select Sector Index. 8 DIAMONDS(SM): DIAMONDS are based on the Dow Jones Industrial Average(SM). They are issued by the DIAMONDS Trust, a unit investment trust that holds a portfolio of all the component common stocks of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of the Dow. Nasdaq-100 Shares: Nasdaq-100 Shares are based on the Nasdaq 100 Index. They are issued by the Nasdaq-100 Trust, a unit investment trust that holds a portfolio consisting of substantially all of the securities, in substantially the same weighting, as the component stocks of the Nasdaq-100 Index and seeks to closely track the price performance and dividend yield of the Index. WEBs(SM): WEBs, an acronym for "World Equity Benchmark Shares," are based on 17 country-specific Morgan Stanley Capital International Indexes. They are issued by the WEBs Index Fund, Inc., an open-end management investment company that seeks to generally correspond to the price and yield performance of a specific Morgan Stanley Capital International Index. Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend its investment securities to approved institutional borrowers who need to borrow securities in order to complete certain transactions, such as covering short sales, avoiding failures to deliver securities or completing arbitrage operations. By lending its investment securities, the fund attempts to increase its net investment income through the receipt of interest on the loan. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would belong to the fund. The Fund may lend its investment securities so long as the terms, structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder, which currently require that (a) the borrower pledge and maintain with the Fund collateral consisting of liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at all times not less than 100% of the value of the securities loaned, (b) the borrower add to such collateral whenever the price of the securities loaned rises (i.e., the borrower "marks to the market" on a daily basis), (c) the loan be made subject to termination by the Fund at any time, and (d) the Fund receives reasonable interest on the loan (which may include the fund investing any cash collateral in interest bearing short-term investments), and distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in their market value. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers selected by the Fund's delegate after a commercially reasonable review of relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. At the present time, the staff of the SEC does not object if an investment company pays reasonable negotiated fees in connection with loaned securities, so long as such fees are set forth in a written contract and approved by the investment company's Board of Trustees/Directors. In addition, voting rights may pass with the loaned securities, but if a material event occurs affecting an investment on loan, the loan must be called and the securities voted. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the SEC, cash collateral received by the Fund may be invested in a money market fund managed by the Advisor (or one of its affiliates). Privatized Enterprises. Investments in foreign securities may include securities issued by enterprises that have undergone or are currently undergoing privatization. The governments of certain foreign countries have, to varying degrees, embarked on privatization programs contemplating the sale of all or part of their interests in state enterprises. The Fund's investments in the securities of privatized enterprises may include privately negotiated investments in a government or state-owned or controlled company or enterprise that has not yet conducted an initial equity offering, investments in the initial offering of equity securities of a state enterprise or former state enterprise and investments in the securities of a state enterprise following its initial equity offering. In certain jurisdictions, the ability of foreign entities, such as the Fund, to participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, or the price or terms on which the Fund may be able to participate may be less advantageous than for local investors. Moreover, there can be no assurance that governments that have embarked on privatization programs will continue to divest their ownership of state enterprises, that proposed privatizations will be successful or that governments will not re-nationalize enterprises that have been privatized. In the case of the enterprises in which the Fund may invest, large blocks of the stock of those enterprises may be held by a small group of stockholders, even after the initial equity offerings by those enterprises. The sale of some portion or all of those blocks could have an adverse effect on the price of the stock of any such enterprise. 9 Prior to making an initial equity offering, most state enterprises or former state enterprises go through an internal reorganization or management. Such reorganizations are made in an attempt to better enable these enterprises to compete in the private sector. However, certain reorganizations could result in a management team that does not function as well as an enterprise's prior management and may have a negative effect on such enterprise. In addition, the privatization of an enterprise by its government may occur over a number of years, with the government continuing to hold a controlling position in the enterprise even after the initial equity offering for the enterprise. Prior to privatization, most of the state enterprises in which the Fund may invest enjoy the protection of and receive preferential treatment from the respective sovereigns that own or control them. After making an initial equity offering, these enterprises may no longer have such protection or receive such preferential treatment and may become subject to market competition from which they were previously protected. Some of these enterprises may not be able to operate effectively in a competitive market and may suffer losses or experience bankruptcy due to such competition. Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs") The Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are sometimes informally characterized as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Investment in REITs may subject the Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, such as decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and other risks related to local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Equity REITs generally experience these risks directly through fee or leasehold interests, whereas mortgage REITs generally experience these risks indirectly through mortgage interests, unless the mortgage REIT forecloses on the underlying real estate. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of the Fund's investment in REITs. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, certain mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by those REITs. Certain REITs have relatively small market capitalizations, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of their securities. Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") and to maintain exemption from the registration requirements of the 1940 Act. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his or her proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund's, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs. In addition, REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders. Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements pursuant to its investment guidelines. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires ownership of a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller, typically a bank or broker/dealer. A repurchase agreement provides a means for the Fund to earn income on funds for periods as short as overnight. It is an arrangement under which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires a security ("Obligation") and the seller agrees, at the time of sale, to repurchase the Obligation at a specified time and price. Securities subject to a repurchase agreement are held in a segregated account and the value of such securities is kept at least equal to the repurchase price on a daily basis. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Fund together with the repurchase price upon repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the Obligation itself. Obligations will be held by the custodian or in the Federal Reserve Book Entry System. It is not clear whether a court would consider the Obligation purchased by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by that fund or as being collateral for a loan by that fund to the seller. In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the Obligation before repurchase of the Obligation under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or decline in price of the Obligation. If the 10 court characterizes the transaction as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the Obligation, that fund may be required to return the Obligation to the seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt Obligation purchased for the Fund, the Advisor seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the seller of the Obligation. Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the Obligation, in which case the Fund may incur a loss if the proceeds to that fund of the sale to a third party are less than the repurchase price. However, if the market value (including interest) of the Obligation subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the Obligation to deliver additional securities so that the market value (including interest) of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into "reverse repurchase agreements," which are repurchase agreements in which the Fund, as the seller of the securities, agrees to repurchase them at an agreed upon time and price. The Fund maintains a segregated account in connection with outstanding reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only when the Advisor believes that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction will be greater than the interest expense of the transaction. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of the Fund's assets and may be viewed as a form of leverage. Warrants. The Fund may invest in warrants up to 5% of the value of its total assets. The holder of a warrant has the right, until the warrant expires, to purchase a given number of shares of a particular issuer at a specified price. Such investments can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security. Prices of warrants do not necessarily move, however, in tandem with the prices of the underlying securities and are, therefore, considered to be speculative investments. Warrants pay no dividends and confer no rights other than a purchase option. Thus, if a warrant held by the Fund were not exercised by the date of its expiration, the Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the warrant. Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities, which pay no cash income and are sold at substantial discounts from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire income, which consists of accretion of discount, comes from the difference between the issue price and their value at maturity. Zero coupon securities are subject to greater market value fluctuations from changing interest rates than debt obligations of comparable maturities which make current distributions of interest (cash). Zero coupon securities which are convertible into common stock offer the opportunity for capital appreciation as increases (or decreases) in market value of such securities closely follow the movements in the market value of the underlying common stock. Zero coupon convertible securities generally are expected to be less volatile than the underlying common stocks as they usually are issued with maturities of 15 years or less and are issued with options and/or redemption features exercisable by the holder of the obligation entitling the holder to redeem the obligation and receive a defined cash payment. Zero coupon securities include municipal securities, securities issued directly by the US Treasury, and US Treasury bonds or notes and their unmatured interest coupons and receipts for their underlying principal ("coupons") which have been separated by their holder, typically a custodian bank or investment brokerage firm, from the underlying principal (the "corpus") of the US Treasury security. A number of securities firms and banks have stripped the interest coupons and receipts and then resold them in custodial receipt programs with a number of different names, including Treasury Income Growth Receipts ("TIGRS(TM)") and Certificate of Accrual on Treasuries ("CATS(TM)"). The underlying US Treasury bonds and notes themselves are held in book-entry form at the Federal Reserve Bank or, in the case of bearer securities (i.e., unregistered securities which are owned ostensibly by the bearer or holder thereof), in trust on behalf of the owners thereof. Counsel to the underwriters of these certificates or other evidences of ownership of the US Treasury securities have stated that, for federal tax and securities purposes in their opinion purchasers of such certificates, such as the Fund, most likely will be deemed the beneficial holder of the underlying US Government securities. The Fund intends to adhere to the current SEC staff position that privately stripped obligations should not be considered US Government securities for the purpose of determining if the Fund is "diversified" under the 1940 Act. 11 The US Treasury has facilitated transfers of ownership of zero coupon securities by accounting separately for the beneficial ownership of particular interest coupon and corpus payments on Treasury securities through the Federal Reserve book-entry record-keeping system. The Federal Reserve program, as established by the Treasury Department, is known as "STRIPS" or "Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities." Under the STRIPS program, the Fund will be able to have its beneficial ownership of zero coupon securities recorded directly in the book-entry record-keeping system in lieu of having to hold certificates or other evidences of ownership of the underlying US Treasury securities. When US Treasury obligations have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons by the holder, the principal or corpus is sold at a deep discount because the buyer receives only the right to receive a future fixed payment on the security and does not receive any rights to periodic interest (cash) payments. Once stripped or separated, the corpus and coupons may be sold separately. Typically, the coupons are sold separately or grouped with other coupons with like maturity dates and sold bundled in such form. Purchasers of stripped obligations acquire, in effect, discount obligations that are economically identical to the zero coupon securities that the Treasury sells. Strategic Transactions and Derivatives. The Fund may, but is not required to, utilize various other investment strategies as described below for a variety of purposes, such as hedging various market risks, managing the effective maturity or duration of fixed-income securities in the Fund's portfolio or enhancing potential gain. These strategies may be executed through the use of derivative contracts. In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other instruments, purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon, enter into various transactions such as swaps, caps, floors, collars, currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currencies, or currency futures and various other currency transactions (collectively, all the above are called "Strategic Transactions"). In addition, Strategic Transactions may also include new techniques, instruments or strategies that are permitted as regulatory changes occur. Strategic Transactions may be used without limit (subject to certain limits imposed by the 1940 Act) to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund's portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations, to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund's portfolio, or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. Some Strategic Transactions may also be used to enhance potential gain although no more than 5% of the Fund's assets will be committed to certain Strategic Transactions entered into for non-hedging purposes. Any or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and in any combination, and there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as use of any Strategic Transaction is a function of numerous variables including market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Advisor's ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and instruments. Strategic Transactions will not be used to alter fundamental investment purposes and characteristics of the Fund, and the Fund will segregate assets (or as provided by applicable regulations, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options, futures and swaps to limit leveraging of the Fund. Strategic Transactions, including derivative contracts, have risks associated with them including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Advisor's view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than (in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of call options) current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements, or the inability to deliver or receive a specified currency. The use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position of the Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be greater than gains in the value of the Fund's position. In addition, 12 futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce net asset value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the Strategic Transactions had not been utilized. General Characteristics of Options. Put options and call options typically have similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed in greater detail below. In addition, many Strategic Transactions involving options require segregation of fund assets in special accounts, as described below under "Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts." A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price. For instance, the Fund's purchase of a put option on a security might be designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price. The Fund's purchase of a call option on a security, financial future, index, currency or other instrument might be intended to protect the fund against an increase in the price of the underlying instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase such instrument. An American style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell exchange listed options and over-the-counter options ("OTC options"). Exchange listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such options. The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other financial intermediaries. With certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency, although in the future cash settlement may become available. Index options and Eurodollar instruments are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is "in-the-money" (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option. The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option 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 including reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or 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 relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets. 13 OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions or other parties ("Counterparties") through direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price, premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties. The Fund will only sell OTC options (other than OTC currency options) that are subject to a buy-back provision permitting the fund to require the Counterparty to sell the option back to the Fund at a formula price within seven days. The Fund expects generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions, although it is not required to do so. Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Accordingly, the Advisor must assess the creditworthiness of each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty's credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only with US government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as "primary dealers" or broker/dealers, domestic or foreign banks or other financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the obligation of which have received) a short-term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or P-1 from Moody's or an equivalent rating from any nationally recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO") or, in the case of OTC currency transactions, are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Advisor. The staff of the SEC currently takes the position that OTC options purchased by the Fund, and portfolio securities "covering" the amount of the Fund's obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) are illiquid, and are subject to the Fund's limitation on investing no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will increase the Fund's income. The sale of put options can also provide income. The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities including US Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar instruments that are traded on US and foreign securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets, and on securities indices, currencies and futures contracts. All calls sold by the Fund must be "covered" (i.e., the fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call) or must meet the asset segregation requirements described below as long as the call is outstanding. Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument which it might otherwise have sold. The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities including US Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar instruments (whether or not it holds the above securities in its portfolio), and on securities indices, currencies and futures contracts other than futures on individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. Each fund will not sell put options if, as a result, more than 50% of the fund's total assets would be required to be segregated to cover its potential obligations under such put options other than those with respect to futures and options thereon. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price. General Characteristics of Futures. The Fund may enter into futures contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge against anticipated interest rate, currency or equity market changes, and for duration management, risk management and return enhancement purposes. Futures are generally bought and sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or, with 14 respect to index futures and Eurodollar instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver such position. The Fund has claimed exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" adapted by the CFTC and the National Futures Association, which regulate trading in the futures markets. Therefore, the Fund is not subject to commodity pool operator registration and regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act. Futures and options on futures may be entered into for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration management) or other portfolio and return enhancement management purposes to the extent consistent with the exclusion from commodity pool operator registration. Typically, maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount of cash or other specified assets (initial margin) which initially is typically 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the mark to market value of the contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated to post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any position. Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting transaction but there can be no assurance that the position can be offset prior to settlement at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will occur. Options on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices. The Fund also may purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities or other instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except if, in the case of an OTC option, physical delivery is specified). This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities. Currency Transactions. The Fund may engage in currency transactions with counterparties primarily in order to hedge, or manage the risk of the value of portfolio holdings denominated in particular currencies against fluctuations in relative value. Currency transactions include forward currency contracts, exchange listed currency futures, exchange listed and OTC options on currencies, and currency swaps. A forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the notional difference among two or more currencies and operates similarly to an interest rate swap, which is described below. The Fund may enter into currency transactions with counterparties which have received (or the guarantors of the obligations which have received) a credit rating of A-1 or P-1 by S&P or Moody's, respectively, or that have an equivalent rating from a NRSRO or (except for OTC currency options) are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Advisor. The Fund's dealings in forward currency contracts and other currency transactions such as futures, options, options on futures and swaps generally will be limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions except as described below. Transaction hedging is entering into a currency transaction with respect to specific assets or liabilities of the fund, which will generally arise in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities or the receipt of income therefrom. Position hedging is entering into a currency transaction with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or generally quoted in that currency. 15 The Fund generally will not enter into a transaction to hedge currency exposure to an extent greater, after netting all transactions intended wholly or partially to offset other transactions, than the aggregate market value (at the time of entering into the transaction) of the securities held in its portfolio that are denominated or generally quoted in or currently convertible into such currency, other than with respect to proxy hedging or cross hedging as described below. The Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value relative to other currencies to which the Fund has or in which the Fund expects to have portfolio exposure. To reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing or anticipated holdings of portfolio securities, the Fund may also engage in proxy hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund's portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy hedging entails entering into a commitment or option to sell a currency whose changes in value are generally considered to be correlated to a currency or currencies in which some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities are or are expected to be denominated, in exchange for US dollars. The amount of the commitment or option would not exceed the value of the Fund's securities denominated in correlated currencies. Currency hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses to the fund if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction that is not anticipated. Further, there is the risk that the perceived correlation between various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the particular time that the fund is engaging in proxy hedging. If the Fund enters into a currency hedging transaction, the Fund will comply with the asset segregation requirements described below. Risks of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are subject to risks different from those of other portfolio transactions. Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and related instruments can be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or funds in settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the same risks that apply to the use of futures generally. Further, settlement of a currency futures contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation. Trading options on currency futures is relatively new, and the ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid market which may not always be available. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate based on factors extrinsic to that country's economy. Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. Among the Strategic Transactions into which the Fund may enter are interest rate, currency, index and other swaps and the purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund will not sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own securities or other instruments providing the income stream the fund may be obligated to pay. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows 16 on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among them and an index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such cap to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates or values. Eurodollar Instruments. The Fund may make investments in Eurodollar instruments. Eurodollar instruments are US dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The Fund might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments are linked. Risks of Strategic Transactions Outside the US. When conducted outside the US, Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the US, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the US of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the US, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the US, and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity. Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate transactions and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate transactions ("component" transactions), instead of a single Strategic Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Advisor, it is in the best interests of the fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Advisor's judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective. Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts. Many Strategic Transactions, in addition to other requirements, require that the Fund segregate cash or liquid assets with its custodian to the extent fund obligations are not otherwise "covered" through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or, subject to any regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid assets at least equal to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the custodian. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. For example, a call option written by the Fund will require the Fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional consideration) or to segregate cash or liquid assets sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the call is exercised. A call option sold by the fund on an index will require the fund to own portfolio securities which correlate with the index or to segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the excess of the index value over the exercise price on a current basis. A put option written by the Fund requires the Fund to segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the exercise price. Except when the Fund enters into a forward contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a particular currency, which requires no segregation, a currency contract which obligates the Fund to buy or sell currency will generally require the Fund to hold an amount of that currency or liquid assets denominated in that currency equal to the Fund's obligations or to segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the amount of the Fund's obligation. 17 OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities, currency, financial instruments or indices and OCC issued and exchange listed index options, will generally provide for cash settlement. As a result, when the Fund sells these instruments it will only segregate an amount of cash or liquid assets equal to its accrued net obligations, as there is no requirement for payment or delivery of amounts in excess of the net amount. These amounts will equal 100% of the exercise price in the case of a non cash-settled put, the same as an OCC guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or the in-the-money amount plus any sell-back formula amount in the case of a cash-settled put or call. In addition, when the Fund sells a call option on an index at a time when the in-the-money amount exceeds the exercise price, the Fund will segregate, until the option expires or is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to such excess. OCC issued and exchange listed options sold by the Fund other than those above generally settle with physical delivery, or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement and the Fund will segregate an amount of cash or liquid assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC options settling with physical delivery or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement will be treated the same as other options settling with physical delivery. In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to segregating cash or liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based futures contract. Such liquid assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets. With respect to swaps, the Fund will accrue the net amount of the excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid assets having a value equal to the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars require segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund's net obligation, if any. Strategic Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets, equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and Strategic Transactions. For example, the Fund could purchase a put option if the strike price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option sold by the Fund. Moreover, instead of segregating cash or liquid assets if the Fund held a futures or forward contract, it could purchase a put option on the same futures or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held. Other Strategic Transactions may also be offset in combinations. If the offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or after the primary transaction no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior to such time, cash or liquid assets equal to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated. Portfolio Holdings Information In addition to the public disclosure of fund portfolio holdings through required SEC quarterly filings, the Fund may make its portfolio holdings information publicly available on the DWS Funds Web site as described in the Fund's prospectus. The Fund does not disseminate non-public information about portfolio holdings except in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. The Fund's procedures permit non-public portfolio holdings information to be shared with Deutsche Asset Management, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively "DeAM"), subadvisors, if any, custodians, independent registered public accounting firms, attorneys, officers and trustees/directors and each of their respective affiliates and advisers, who require access to this information to fulfill their duties to the Fund and are subject to the duties of confidentiality, including the duty not to trade on non-public information, imposed by law or contract, or by the Fund's procedures. This non-public information may also be disclosed, subject to the requirements described below, to securities lending agents, financial printers, proxy voting firms, mutual fund analysts and rating and tracking agencies, or to shareholders in connection with in-kind redemptions (collectively, "Authorized Third Parties). Prior to any disclosure of the Fund's non-public portfolio holdings information to Authorized Third Parties, a person authorized by the Fund's Trustees must make a good faith determination in light of the facts then known that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for providing the information, that the disclosure is in the best interest of the 18 Fund, and that the recipient assents or otherwise has a duty to keep the information confidential and to not trade based on the information received while the information remains non-public. No compensation is received by the Fund or DeAM for disclosing non-public holdings information. Periodic reports regarding these procedures will be provided to the Fund's Trustees. Portfolio holdings information distributed by the trading desks of DeAM or a subadvisor for the purpose of facilitating efficient trading of such securities and receipt of relevant research is not subject to the foregoing requirements. Non-public portfolio holding information does not include portfolio characteristics (other than holdings or subsets of holdings) about the Fund and information derived therefrom, including, but not limited to, how the Fund's investments are divided among various sectors, industries, countries, value and growth stocks, bonds, currencies and cash, types of bonds, bond maturities, duration, bond coupons and bond credit quality ratings so long as the Fund's holdings could not be derived from such information. Registered investment companies that are subadvised by DeAM may be subject to different portfolio holdings disclosure policies, and neither DeAM nor the Fund's Trustees exercise control over such policies. In addition, separate account clients of DeAM have access to their portfolio holdings and are not subject to the Fund's portfolio holdings disclosure policy. The portfolio holdings of some of the funds subadvised by DeAM and some of the separate accounts managed by DeAM may substantially overlap with the portfolio holdings of the Fund. DeAM also manages certain unregistered commingled trusts and creates model portfolios, the portfolio holdings of which may substantially overlap with the portfolio holdings of the Fund. To the extent that investors in these commingled trusts or recipients of model portfolio holdings information may receive portfolio holdings information of their trust or of a model portfolio on a different basis from that on which fund portfolio holdings information is made public, DeAM has implemented procedures reasonably designed to encourage such investors and recipients to keep such information confidential, and to prevent those investors from trading on the basis of non-public holdings information. There is no assurance that the Fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of portfolio holdings information by those in possession of that information. 19 MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND Investment Advisor Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DeIM") which is part of Deutsche Asset Management ("DeAM"), is the investment advisor for the Fund. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, DeIM, with headquarters at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, makes the Fund's investment decisions, buys and sells securities for each fund and conducts research that leads to these purchase and sale decisions. The Advisor manages the Fund's daily investment and business affairs subject to the policies established by the Trust's Board of Trustees. DeIM and its predecessors have more than 80 years of experience managing mutual funds and DeIM provides a full range of investment advisory services to institutional and retail clients. The Fund's investment advisor is also responsible for selecting brokers and dealers and for negotiating brokerage commissions and dealer charges. DeAM is the marketing name in the US for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, DeIM, Deutsche Asset Management Inc., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and DWS Trust Company. DeAM is a global asset management organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts and an office network that reaches the world's major investment centers. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight, across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles. DeIM is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services, including investment management, mutual fund, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance. The term "DWS Scudder" is the designation given to the products and services provided by DeAM and its affiliates to the DWS Mutual Funds. The Advisor provides investment counsel for many individuals and institutions, including insurance companies, industrial corporations, and financial and banking organizations, as well as providing investment advice to open- and closed-end SEC registered funds. In certain cases, the investments for the Fund are managed by the same individuals who manage one or more other mutual funds, advised by the Advisor. You should be aware that the Fund is likely to differ from these other mutual funds in size, cash flow pattern and tax matters. Accordingly, the holdings and performance of the Fund can be expected to vary from those of these other mutual funds. 20 The Board and the shareholders recently approved an amended and restated investment management agreement (the "Investment Management Agreement") for the Fund. Effective June 1, 2006, pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Advisor provides continuing investment management of the assets of the Fund. In addition to the investment management of the assets of the Fund, the Advisor determines the investments to be made for the Fund, including what portion of its assets remain uninvested in cash or cash equivalents, and with whom the orders for investments are placed, consistent with the Fund's policies as stated in its Prospectus and SAI, or as adopted by the Fund's Board. The Advisor will also monitor, to the extent not monitored by the Fund's administrator or other agent, the Fund's compliance with its investment and tax guidelines and other compliance policies. The Advisor provides assistance to the Fund's Board in valuing the securities and other instruments held by the Fund, to the extent reasonably required by valuation policies and procedures that may be adopted by the Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, (unless otherwise provided in the agreement or as determined by the Fund's Board and to the extent permitted by applicable law), the Advisor pays the compensation and expenses of all the Board members, officers, and executive employees of the Fund, including the Fund's share of payroll taxes, who are affiliated persons of the Advisor. The Investment Management Agreement provides that the Fund is generally responsible for expenses that include: fees payable to the Advisor; outside legal, accounting or auditing expenses, including with respect to expenses related to negotiation, acquisition or distribution of portfolio investments; maintenance of books and records that are maintained by the Fund, the Fund's custodian, or other agents of the Fund; taxes and governmental fees; fees and expenses of the Fund's accounting agent, custodian, sub-custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend reimbursing agents and registrars; payment for portfolio pricing or valuation services to pricing agents, accountants, bankers and other specialists, if any; brokerage commissions or other costs of acquiring or disposing of any portfolio securities or other instruments of the Fund; and litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Investment Management Agreement allows the Advisor to delegate any of its duties under the Agreement to a subadvisor, subject to a majority vote of the Board of the Fund, including a majority of the Board who are not interested persons of the Fund, and, if required by applicable law, subject to a majority vote of the Fund's shareholders. The Investment Management Agreement provides that the Advisor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with matters to which the agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful malfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Advisor in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Advisor of its obligations and duties under the agreement. The Investment Management Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of penalty, by either party or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on 60 days' written notice. The Fund pays the Advisor an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.615% for the first $1.5 billion of average daily net assets, 0.565% of the next $500 million of average daily net assets and 0.515% on net assets thereafter. The fee is payable monthly, provided that the Fund will make such interim payments as may be requested by the Advisor not to exceed 75% of the amount of the fee then accrued on the books of the Fund and unpaid. The advisory fees paid by the Fund for its last three fiscal years ending July 31 are shown in the table below. Fund 2006 2005 2004 - ---- ---- ---- ---- DWS Large Company Growth Fund $2,633,092 $3,168,110 $3,716,723 Through September 30, 2007, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fees and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the Fund's operating expenses at ratios no higher than 1.02% for Class S shares, excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest, and organizational and offering expenses. Although there can be no assurances 21 that the current waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement will be maintained beyond September 30, 2007, the Advisor has committed to review the continuance of waiver/expense reimbursement arrangements by September 30, 2007. From October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2005, the Advisor contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and reimburse or pay certain operating expenses, excluding extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense, Rule 12b-1 and/or service fees, trustee and trustee counsel fees and organizational and offering expenses, to the extent necessary to maintain total operating expenses at 0.99% of average daily net assets for Class S shares. In reviewing the terms of the Investment Management Agreement and in discussions with the Advisor concerning the Investment Management Agreement, the Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the Advisor are represented by independent counsel at the Fund's expense. In addition, the Board and shareholders recently approved a new subadvisor approval policy for the Fund (the "Subadvisor Approval Policy"). The Subadvisor Approval Policy permits the Advisor, subject to the approval of the Board, including a majority of its independent board members, to appoint and replace subadvisors and to amend sub-advisory contracts without obtaining shareholder approval. Under the Subadvisor Approval Policy, the Board, including its independent board members, will continue to evaluate and approve all new sub-advisory contracts between the Advisor and any subadvisor, as well as all changes to any existing sub-advisory contract. The Fund cannot implement the Subadvisor Approval Policy without the SEC either adopting revisions to current rules (as it proposed to do in October 2003) or granting the Fund exemptive relief from existing rules. The Fund and the Advisor would be subject to certain conditions imposed by the SEC (and certain conditions that may be imposed in the future within either exemptive relief or a rule) to ensure that the interests of the Fund and its shareholders are adequately protected whenever the Advisor acts under the Subadvisor Approval Policy, including any shareholder notice requirements. The Advisor may enter into arrangements with affiliates and third party service providers to perform various administrative, back-office and other services relating to client accounts. Such service providers may be located in the US or in non-US jurisdictions. The Agreements may be terminated at any time without payment of penalty by either party on sixty days' written notice and automatically terminate in the event of their assignment. 22 The Agreements may be terminated at any time without payment of penalty by either party on sixty days' written notice and automatically terminate in the event of their assignment. Pursuant to Deutsche Asset Management procedures approved by the Boards on behalf of the DWS funds, proof of claim forms are routinely filed on behalf of the DWS funds by a third party service provider, with certain limited exceptions. The Boards of the DWS funds receive periodic reports regarding the implementation of these procedures. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Compensation of Portfolio Managers The Fund has been advised that the Advisor seeks to offer its investment professionals competitive short-term and long-term compensation. Portfolio managers and research professionals are paid (i) fixed base salaries, which are linked to job function, responsibilities and financial services industry peer comparison and (ii) variable compensation, which is linked to investment performance, individual contributions to the team and DWS Scudder's and Deutsche Bank's financial results. Variable compensation may include a cash bonus incentive and participation in a variety of long-term equity programs (usually in the form of Deutsche Bank equity). Bonus and long-term incentives comprise a greater proportion of total compensation as an investment professional's seniority and compensation levels increase. Top performing investment professionals earn a total compensation package that is highly competitive, including a bonus that is a multiple of their base salary. The amount of equity awarded under the long-term equity programs is generally based on the individual's total compensation package and may comprise from 0%-40% of the total compensation award. As incentive compensation increases, the percentage of compensation awarded in Deutsche Bank equity also increases. Certain senior investment professionals may be subject to a mandatory diverting of a portion of their equity compensation into proprietary mutual funds that they manage. To evaluate its investment professionals, the Advisor uses a Performance Management Process. Objectives evaluated by the process are related to investment performance and generally take into account peer group and benchmark related data. The ultimate goal of this process is to link the performance of investment professionals with client investment objectives and to deliver investment performance that meets or exceeds clients' risk and return objectives. When determining total compensation, the Advisor considers a number of quantitative and qualitative factors such as: o DWS Scudder's performance and the performance of Deutsche Asset Management; quantitative measures which include 1, 3 and 5 year pre-tax returns versus benchmark (such as the 30 benchmark used in the prospectus) and appropriate peer group, taking into consideration risk targets. Additionally, the portfolio manager's retail/institutional asset mix is weighted, as appropriate for evaluation purposes. o Qualitative measures include adherence to the investment process and individual contributions to the process, among other things. In addition, the Advisor assesses compliance, risk management and teamwork skills. o Other factors, including contributions made to the investment team as well as adherence to compliance, risk management, and "living the values" of the Advisor, are part of a discretionary component which gives management the ability to reward these behaviors on a subjective basis through bonus incentives. In addition, the Advisor analyzes competitive compensation levels through the use of extensive market data surveys. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed and may be modified each year as appropriate to reflect changes in the market, as well as to adjust the factors used to determine overall compensation to promote good sustained investment performance. Fund Ownership of Portfolio Managers The following table shows the dollar range of shares owned beneficially and of record by each member of the fund's portfolio management team in the Fund as well as in all DWS Funds as a group (i.e. those funds advised by Deutsche Asset Management or its affiliates), including investments by their immediate family members sharing the same household and amounts invested through retirement and deferred compensation plans. This information is provided as of the fund's most recent fiscal year end. Name of Dollar Range of Dollar Range of All DWS Portfolio Manager Fund Shares Owned Fund Shares Owned - ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Julie M. Van Cleave $0 Over $1,000,000 Jack A. Zehner $0 $50,001-$100,000 Thomas J. Schmid $10,001-$50,000 $100,001-$500,000 Conflicts of Interest In addition to managing the assets of the fund, the fund's portfolio managers may have responsibility for managing other client accounts of the Advisor or its affiliates. The tables below show, for each portfolio manager, the number and asset size of (1) SEC registered investment companies (or series thereof) other than the fund, (2) pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and (3) other accounts (e.g., accounts managed for individuals or organizations) managed by each portfolio manager. The tables also show the number of performance based fee accounts, as well as the total assets of the accounts for which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account. This information is provided as of the fund's most recent fiscal year end. Other SEC Registered Investment Companies Managed:
Number of Number of Investment Company Registered Total Assets of Accounts with Total Assets of Name of Investment Registered Investment Performance-Based Performance-Based Portfolio Manager Companies Companies Fee Fee Accounts - ----------------- --------- --------- --- ------------ Julie M. Van Cleave 6 $3,393,732,501 0 0 31 Number of Number of Investment Company Registered Total Assets of Accounts with Total Assets of Name of Investment Registered Investment Performance-Based Performance-Based Portfolio Manager Companies Companies Fee Fee Accounts - ----------------- --------- --------- --- ------------ Jack A. Zehner 6 $3,393,732,501 0 0 Thomas J. Schmid 6 $3,393,732,501 0 0 Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Managed: Number of Number of Pooled Pooled Total Assets of Investment Vehicle Total Assets of Name of Investment Pooled Investment Accounts with Performance-Based Portfolio Manager Vehicles Vehicles Performance-Based Fee Fee Accounts - ----------------- -------- -------- --------------------- ------------ Julie M. Van Cleave 0 $0 0 0 Jack A. Zehner 0 $0 0 0 Thomas J. Schmid 0 $0 0 0 Other Accounts Managed: Number of Other Total Assets of Name of Number of Accounts with Performance-Based Portfolio Manager Other Accounts Total Assets of Other Accounts Performance-Based Fee Fee Accounts - ----------------- -------------- ------------------------------ --------------------- ------------ Julie M. Van Cleave 14 $1,068,305,457 0 0 Jack A. Zehner 14 $1,068,305,457 0 0 Thomas J. Schmid 14 $1,068,305,457 0 0
In addition to the accounts above, an investment professional may manage accounts in a personal capacity that may include holdings that are similar to, or the same as, those of the Fund. The Advisor has in place a Code of Ethics that is designed to address conflicts of interest and that, among other things, imposes restrictions on the ability of portfolio managers and other "access persons" to invest in securities that may be recommended or traded in the funds and other client accounts. Real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day portfolio management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or account, including the following: o Certain investments may be appropriate for the Fund and also for other clients advised by the Advisor, including other client accounts managed by the Fund's portfolio management team. Investment decisions for the Fund and other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally. A particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or in different amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all clients. Likewise, because clients of the Advisor may have differing investment strategies, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling the security. The investment results achieved for the Fund may differ from the results achieved for other clients of the Advisor. In addition, purchases or sales of the same security may be made for two or more clients on the same day. In such event, such transactions will be allocated among the clients in a manner believed by the Advisor to be most equitable to 32 each client, generally utilizing a pro rata allocation methodology. In some cases, the allocation procedure could potentially have an adverse effect or positive effect on the price or amount of the securities purchased or sold by the Fund. Purchase and sale orders for the Fund may be combined with those of other clients of the Advisor in the interest of achieving the most favorable net results to the Fund and the other clients. o To the extent that a portfolio manager has responsibilities for managing multiple client accounts, a portfolio manager will need to divide time and attention among relevant accounts. The Advisor attempts to minimize these conflicts by aligning its portfolio management teams by investment strategy and by employing similar investment models across multiple client accounts. o In some cases, an apparent conflict may arise where the Advisor has an incentive, such as a performance-based fee, in managing one account and not with respect to other accounts it manages. The Advisor will not determine allocations based on whether it receives a performance-based fee from the client. Additionally, the Advisor has in place supervisory oversight processes to periodically monitor performance deviations for accounts with like strategies. o The Advisor and its affiliates and the investment team of the Fund manage other mutual funds and separate accounts on a long-only basis. The simultaneous management of long and short portfolios creates potential conflicts of interest including the risk that short sale activity could adversely affect the market value of the long positions(and vice versa), the risk arising from sequential orders in long and short positions, and the risks associated with receiving opposing orders at the same time. The Advisor has adopted procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to mitigate these potential conflicts of interest. Included in these procedures are specific guidelines developed to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all clients whose accounts are managed by the Fund's portfolio management team. The Advisor and the portfolio management team have established monitoring procedures, a protocol for supervisory reviews, as well as compliance oversight to ensure that potential conflicts of interest relating to this type of activity are properly addressed. The Advisor is owned by Deutsche Bank AG, a multi-national financial services company. Therefore, the Advisor is affiliated with a variety of entities that provide, and/or engage in commercial banking, insurance, brokerage, investment banking, financial advisory, broker-dealer activities (including sales and trading), hedge funds, real estate and private equity investing, in addition to the provision of investment management services to institutional and individual investors. Since Deutsche Bank AG, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees (the "Firm") are engaged in businesses and have interests other than managing asset management accounts, such other activities involve real, potential or apparent conflicts of interests. These interests and activities include potential advisory, transactional and financial activities and other interests in securities and companies that may be directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Firm for its clients' advisory accounts. These are considerations of which advisory clients should be aware and which may cause conflicts that could be to the disadvantage of the Advisor's advisory clients. The Advisor has instituted business and compliance policies, procedures and disclosures that are designed to identify, monitor and mitigate conflicts of interest and, as appropriate, to report them to the fund's Board. Administrative Agreement Through March 31, 2004, the Fund operated under an administrative services agreement with the Advisor (the "Administrative Agreement") pursuant to which the Advisor provided or paid others to provide substantially all of the administrative services required by the Fund (other than those provided by the Advisor under its investment management agreement with the Fund, as described above) in exchange for the payment by the Fund of an administrative services fee (the "Administrative Fee") of 0.30% for the Fund's Class S shares of the average daily net assets of the applicable class. Effective April 1, 2004, the Administrative Agreement was terminated. In connection with such termination, the Advisor agreed to limit certain expenses. Please refer to the descriptions of the Fund's Investment Management Agreement for a discussion of the expense reimbursement/waiver arrangements. 33 Administrative Fees charged to the Fund during the last three fiscal years of the Administrative Agreement were as follows: Fund Name Year Class S - --------- ---- ------- DWS Large Company Growth Fund 2006 $0 DWS Large Company Growth Fund 2005 $0 DWS Large Company Growth Fund 2004 $484,632 In addition, pursuant to an agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB"), certain administrative functions were historically delegated to SSB. The costs and expenses of such delegation were borne by the Fund. Effective June 1, 2006, the Fund entered into a new administrative services agreement with the Advisor (the "Administrative Services Agreement"), pursuant to which the Advisor provides administrative services to the Fund, including, among others, providing the Fund with personnel, preparing and making required filings on behalf of the Fund, maintaining books and records for the Fund, and monitoring the valuation of Fund securities. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, of the greater of 0.100% of the Fund's average daily net assets or $150,000. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Advisor is obligated on a continuous basis to provide such administrative services as the Board of the Fund reasonably deems necessary for the proper administration of the Fund. The Advisor provides the Fund with personnel; arranges for the preparation and filing of the Fund's tax returns; prepares and submits reports and meeting materials to the Board and the shareholders; prepares and files updates to the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information as well as other reports required to be filed by the SEC; maintains the Fund's records; provides the Fund with office space, equipment and services; supervises, negotiates the contracts of and monitors the performance of third parties contractors; oversees the tabulation of proxies; monitors the valuation of portfolio securities and monitors compliance with Board-approved valuation procedures; assists in establishing the accounting and tax policies of the Fund; assists in the resolution of accounting issues that may arise with respect to the Fund; establishes and monitors the Fund's operating expense budgets; reviews and processes the Fund's bills; assists in determining the amount of dividends and distributions available to be paid by the Fund, prepares and arranges dividend notifications and provides information to agents to effect payments thereof; provides to the Board periodic and special reports; provides assistance with investor and public relations matters; and monitors the registration of shares under applicable federal and state law. The Advisor also performs certain fund accounting services under the Administrative Services Agreement. The Administrative Services Agreement provides that the Advisor will not be liable under the Administrative Services Agreement except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or from the reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder. For the period from June 1, 2006 through July 31, 2006, the Advisor received an administration fee of $54,803, of which $27,351 is unpaid. Pursuant to an agreement between the Advisor and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the Advisor has delegated certain administrative functions to SSB. The costs and expenses of such delegation are borne by the Advisor, not by the Fund. 34 Codes of Ethics The Fund, the Advisor and the Fund's principal underwriter have each adopted codes of ethics under rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. Board members, officers of the Trust and employees of the Advisor and principal underwriter are permitted to make personal securities transactions, including transactions in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, subject to requirements and restrictions set forth in the applicable Code of Ethics. The Advisor's Code of Ethics contains provisions and requirements designed to identify and address certain conflicts of interest between personal investment activities and the interests of the Fund. Among other things, the Advisor's Code of Ethics prohibits certain types of transactions absent prior approval, imposes time periods during which personal transactions may not be made in certain securities, and requires the submission of duplicate broker confirmations and quarterly reporting of securities transactions. Additional restrictions apply to portfolio managers, traders, research analysts and others involved in the investment advisory process. Exceptions to these and other 35 provisions of the Advisor's Code of Ethics may be granted in particular circumstances after review by appropriate personnel. FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS Principal Underwriter The Trust, on behalf of the Fund has an underwriting agreement with DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc., 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (the "Distributor"), which is an affiliate of the Advisor. The Trust's underwriting agreement dated September 30, 2002 will remain in effect from year to year only if its continuance is approved annually by a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any such party and either by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The underwriting agreement of the Fund was last approved by the Trustees on September 28, 2006 for an additional one-year term. Under the underwriting agreement, the Fund is responsible for: the payment of all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing with the SEC of its registration statement and prospectus and any amendments and supplements thereto; the registration and qualification of shares for sale in the various states, including registering the Fund as a broker or dealer in various states, as required; the fees and expenses of preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses annually to existing shareholders (see below for expenses relating to prospectuses paid by the Distributor); notices, proxy statements, reports or other communications to shareholders of the Fund; the cost of printing and mailing confirmations of purchases of shares and any prospectuses accompanying such confirmations; any issuance taxes and/or any initial transfer taxes; a portion of shareholder toll-free telephone charges and expenses of shareholder service representatives; the cost of wiring funds for share purchases and redemptions (unless paid by the shareholder who initiates the transaction); the cost of printing and postage of business reply envelopes; and a portion of the cost of computer terminals used by Fund and the Distributor. The Distributor will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or reports prepared for its use in connection with the offering of the Fund's shares to the public and preparing, printing and mailing any other literature or advertising in connection with the offering of shares of the Fund to the public. The Distributor will pay all fees and expenses in connection with its qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state laws, a portion of the cost of toll-free telephone service and expenses of shareholder service representatives, a portion of the cost of computer terminals, and expenses of any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by the Fund, unless a Rule 12b-1 Plan is in effect which provides that the Fund shall bear some or all of such expenses. Although Class S shares of the Fund do not have a 12b-1 Plan, and the Trustees have no current intention of adopting one, the Fund will also pay those fees and expenses permitted to be paid or assumed by the Trust pursuant to a 12b-1 Plan, if any, adopted by the Trust, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in the underwriting agreement. The Distributor currently offers shares of the Fund on a continuous basis to investors in all states in which shares of the Fund may from time to time be registered or where permitted by applicable law. The underwriting agreement provides that the Distributor accepts orders for shares at net asset value as no sales commission or load is charged to the investor. The Distributor has made no firm commitment to acquire shares of the Fund. Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The financial highlights of the Fund included in the Fund's prospectuses and the Financial Statements incorporated by reference in this SAI have been so included or incorporated by reference in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP audits the financial statements of the Fund and provides other audit, tax and 36 related services. Shareholders will receive annual audited financial statements and semi-annual unaudited financial statements. Legal Counsel Ropes & Gray LLP, One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, serves as legal counsel to the Fund and its Independent Trustees. Fund Accounting Agent Prior to June 1, 2006, DWS Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation ("DWS-SFAC"), Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, a subsidiary of the Advisor, was directly responsible for determining net asset value per share and maintaining the portfolio and general accounting records for the Fund. For the period August 1, 2005 through May 31, 2006, the Fund paid DWS-SFAC $60,951, of which $182 remained unpaid as of July 31, 2006. Effective June 1, 2006, these fees are now paid under the Administrative Services Agreement. Prior to June 1, 2006, the Fund paid DWS-SFAC an annual fee equal to 0.025% of the first $150 million of average daily net assets, 0.0075% of such assets in excess of $150 million and 0.0045% of such assets in excess of $1 billion, plus holding and transaction charges for this service. Effective June 1, 2006, pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement among the Advisor and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB" or the "Custodian"), the Advisor has delegated certain fund accounting functions to SSB. 37 Custodian, Transfer Agent and Shareholder Service Agent State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, as custodian has custody of all securities and cash of the Fund. The Custodian attends to the collection of principal and income, and payment for and collection of proceeds of securities bought and sold by the Fund. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006, the Fund's custodian fee was reduced by $34, for custody credits earned. DWS Scudder Service Corporation ("Service Corporation"), P.O. Box 2291, Boston, Massachusetts 02107-2291, a subsidiary of the Advisor, is the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund. Service Corporation also serves as shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between Service Corporation and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), Service Corporation has delegated certain transfer agent and dividend paying agent functions to DST. The costs and expenses of such delegation are borne by Service Corporation, not by the Funds. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS The Advisor is generally responsible for placing the orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, including the allocation of brokerage. With respect to those funds for which a sub-investment advisor manages the fund's investments, references in this section to the "Advisor" should be read to mean the subadvisor. The policy of the Advisor in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities for the Fund is to seek best execution, taking into account such factors, among others, as price; commission (where applicable); the broker-dealer's ability to ensure that securities will be delivered on settlement date; the willingness of the broker-dealer to commit its capital and purchase a thinly traded security for its own inventory; whether the broker-dealer specializes in block orders or large program trades; the broker-dealer's knowledge of the market and the security; the broker- 38 dealer's ability to maintain confidentiality; the financial condition of the broker-dealer; and whether the broker-dealer has the infrastructure and operational capabilities to execute and settle the trade. The Advisor seeks to evaluate the overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions with commissions charged on comparable transactions and compares the brokerage commissions (if any) paid by the Fund to reported commissions paid by others. The Advisor routinely reviews commission rates, execution and settlement services performed and makes internal and external comparisons. Commission rates on transactions in equity securities on US securities exchanges are subject to negotiation. Commission rates on transactions in equity securities on foreign securities exchanges are generally fixed. Purchases and sales of fixed-income securities and other over-the-counter securities are effected on a net basis, without the payment of brokerage commissions. Transactions in fixed income and other over-the-counter securities are generally placed by the Advisor with the principal market makers for these securities unless the Advisor reasonably believes more favorable results are available elsewhere. Transactions with dealers serving as market makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. Purchases of underwritten issues will include an underwriting fee paid to the underwriter. Money market instruments are normally purchased in principal transactions directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker. It is likely that the broker-dealers selected based on the considerations described in this section will include firms that also sell shares of the Fund to their customers. However, the Advisor does not consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund and, accordingly, has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent its traders from considering sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Advisor is permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("1934 Act"), when placing portfolio transactions for the Fund, to cause the Fund to pay brokerage commissions in excess of that which another broker-dealer might charge for executing the same transaction in order to obtain research and brokerage services. The Advisor, however, does not as a matter of policy execute transactions with broker-dealers for the Fund in order to obtain research from such broker-dealers that is prepared by third parties (i.e., "third party research"). However, the Advisor may from time to time, in reliance on Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, obtain proprietary research prepared by the executing broker-dealer in connection with a transaction or transactions through that broker-dealer (i.e., "proprietary research"). Consistent with the Advisor's policy regarding best execution, where more than one broker is believed to be capable of providing best execution for a particular trade, the Advisor may take into consideration the receipt of proprietary research in selecting the broker-dealer to execute the trade. Proprietary research provided by broker-dealers may include, but is not limited to, information on the economy, industries, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, accounting and tax law interpretations, political developments, legal developments affecting portfolio securities, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance analysis and measurement and analysis of corporate responsibility issues. Proprietary research is typically received in the form of written reports, telephone contacts and personal meetings with security analysts, but may also be provided in the form of access to various computer software and associated hardware, and meetings arranged with corporate and industry representatives. In reliance on Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Advisor may also select broker-dealers and obtain from them brokerage services in the form of software and/or hardware that is used in connection with executing trades. Typically, this computer software and/or hardware is used by the Advisor to facilitate trading activity with those broker-dealers. Proprietary research and brokerage services received from a broker-dealer chosen to execute a particular trade may be useful to the Advisor in providing services to clients other than the Fund making the trade, and not all such information is used by the Advisor in connection with the Fund. Conversely, such information provided to the Advisor by broker-dealers through which other clients of the Advisor effect securities transactions may be useful to the Advisor in providing services to the Fund. The Advisor will monitor regulatory developments and market practice in the use of client commissions to obtain research and brokerage services, whether proprietary or third party. 39 Investment decisions for the Fund and for other investment accounts managed by the Advisor are made independently of each other in light of differing conditions. However, the same investment decision may be made for two or more of such accounts. In such cases, simultaneous transactions are inevitable. To the extent permitted by law, the Advisor may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other accounts in executing transactions. Purchases or sales are then averaged as to price and commission and allocated as to amount in a manner deemed equitable to each account. While in some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect on the price paid or received by, or on the size of the position obtained or disposed of for, the Fund, in other cases it is believed that the ability to engage in volume transactions will be beneficial to the Fund. Deutsche Bank AG or one of its affiliates (or in the case of a subadvisor, the subadvisor or one of its affiliates) may act as a broker for the Fund and receive brokerage commissions or other transaction-related compensation from the Fund in the purchase and sale of securities, options or futures contracts when, in the judgment of the Advisor, and in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund's Board, the affiliated broker will be able to obtain a price and execution at least as favorable as those obtained from other qualified brokers and if, in the transaction, the affiliated broker charges the Fund a rate consistent with that charged to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar transactions. For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2004, July 31, 2005 and July 31, 2006, the fund paid aggregate brokerage commissions of $323,004, $233,608 and $183,130, respectively. The percentage of the Fund's commissions paid to affiliated brokers, the percentage of transactions involving commissions paid to affiliated brokers, the dollar amount of commissions paid to brokers for research services and the dollar amount of transactions allocated for research services is set forth below for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006:
Percentage of Commissions Percentage of Dollar Amount of Paid to Transactions Involving Commissions Paid to Affiliated Commissions Paid to Brokers for Research Fund Brokers Affiliated Brokers Services - ---- ------- ------------------ -------- DWS Large Company Growth Fund 0% 0% $0
The Fund is required to identify any securities of its "regular broker or dealers" (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) that the Fund has acquired during the most recent fiscal year. As of July 31, 2006, the Fund held the following securities of its regular broker dealers: 40 Name of Issuer Value of Holdings -------------- ----------------- Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. $2,819,000 Merrill Lynch & Co. $3,517,000 General Electric Capital Corp. $10,874,000 Citigroup $1,725,000 Portfolio Turnover Portfolio turnover rate is defined by the SEC as the ratio of the lesser of sales or purchases to the monthly average value of such securities owned during the year, excluding all securities whose remaining maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less. A higher rate involves greater brokerage and transaction expenses to the Fund and may result in the realization of net capital, which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed. Purchases and sales are made for the Fund's portfolio whenever necessary, in management's opinion, to meet the Fund's objective. Portfolio turnover rates for the two most recent fiscal years are as follows: Fund 2006 2005 ---- ---- ---- DWS Large Company Growth Fund 16% 20% PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES Shares of the Fund are distributed by DWS-SDI. The Fund offers five classes of shares, one of which is described in this SAI. General information on how to buy shares of the Fund is set forth in "Buying and Selling Fund Shares" in the Fund's Prospectus. The following supplements that information. General Information Policies and procedures affecting transactions in fund shares can be changed at any time without notice, subject to applicable law. Transactions may be contingent upon proper completion of application forms and other documents by shareholders and their receipt by the Fund's agents. Transaction delays in processing (and changing account features) due to circumstances within or beyond the control of the Fund and its agents may occur. Shareholders (or their financial service firms) are responsible for all losses and fees resulting from bad checks, cancelled orders or the failure to consummate transactions effected pursuant to instructions reasonably believed to be genuine. A distribution will be reinvested in shares of the same fund and class if the distribution check is returned as undeliverable. Orders will be confirmed at a price based on the net asset value of the Fund next determined after receipt in good order by DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. ("DWS-SDI") of the order accompanied by payment. Orders received by dealers or other financial services firms prior to the determination of net asset value and received in good order by DWS-SDI prior to the determination of net asset value will be confirmed at a price based on the net asset value next determined after receipt by DWS-SDI ("trade date"). The quarterly subminimum account policy applies to all accounts in a household. In addition, the fee will not apply to accounts enrolled in an automatic investment program, IRAs or employer-sponsored employee benefit plans using the subaccount record-keeping system made available through the Shareholder Service Agent. 41 Additional Minimum Balance Policies. For fiduciary accounts such as IRAs, and custodial accounts such as Uniform Gifts to Minor Act and Uniform Transfers to Minor Act accounts, the minimum balance is $1,000 for Class S. A shareholder may open an account with at least $1,000 ($500 for fiduciary/custodial accounts), if an automatic investment plan (AIP) of $50/month is established. DWS group retirement plans and certain other accounts have similar or lower minimum share balance requirements. Reductions in value that result solely from market activity will not trigger an annual fee or involuntary redemption. Shareholders with a combined household account balance in any of the DWS Funds of $100,000 or more, as well as group retirement and certain other accounts, will not be subject to a fee or automatic redemption. Fiduciary (e.g., IRA or Roth IRA) and custodial accounts (e.g., UGMA or UTMA) with balances below $100 are subject to automatic redemption following 60 days' written notice to applicable shareholders. Certificates. Share certificates will not be issued. Share certificates now in a shareholder's possession may be sent to the Transfer Agent for cancellation and book-entry credit to such shareholder's account. Certain telephone and other procedures require book-entry holdings. Shareholders with outstanding certificates bear the risk of loss. Use of Financial Services Firms. Investment dealers and other firms provide varying arrangements for their clients to purchase and redeem the Fund's shares, including higher minimum investments, and may assess transaction or other fees. Firms may arrange with their clients for other investment or administrative services. Such firms may independently establish and charge additional amounts to their clients for such services. Firms also may hold the Fund's shares in nominee or street name as agent for and on behalf of their customers. In such instances, the Fund's Transfer Agent, DWS Scudder Investments Service Company (the "Transfer Agent") will have no information with respect to or control over the accounts of specific shareholders. Such shareholders may obtain access to their accounts and information about their accounts only from their firm. Certain of these firms may receive compensation from the Fund through the Shareholder Service Agent for record-keeping and other expenses relating to these nominee accounts. In addition, certain privileges with respect to the purchase and redemption of shares or the reinvestment of dividends may not be available through such firms. Some firms may participate in a program allowing them access to their clients' accounts for servicing including, without limitation, transfers of registration and dividend payee changes; and may perform functions such as generation of confirmation statements and disbursement of cash dividends. Such firms, including affiliates of DWS-SDI, may receive compensation from the fund through the Shareholder Service Agent for these services. The Fund has authorized one or more financial service institutions, including certain members of the NASD other than the Distributor ("financial institutions"), to accept purchase and redemption orders for the Fund's shares. Such financial institutions may also designate other parties, including plan administrator intermediaries, to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Fund's behalf. Orders for purchases or redemptions will be deemed to have been received by the Fund when such financial institutions or, if applicable, their authorized designees accept the orders. Subject to the terms of the contract between the Fund and the financial institution, ordinarily orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next computed after acceptance by such financial institution or its authorized designees and accepted by the Fund. Further, if purchases or redemptions of the Fund's shares are arranged and settlement is made at an investor's election through any other authorized financial institution, that financial institution may, at its discretion, charge a fee for that service. The Board of Trustees and the Distributor, also the Fund's principal underwriter, each has the right to limit the amount of purchases by, and to refuse to sell to, any person. The Trustees and the Distributor may suspend or terminate the offering of shares of the Fund at any time for any reason. DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc., the Fund's distributor, has adopted an Incentive Plan (the "Plan") covering wholesalers that are regional vice presidents ("DWS Scudder Wholesalers"). Generally, DWS Scudder Wholesalers market shares of the DWS funds to your financial advisor, who in turn may recommend that you purchase shares of a DWS fund. The Plan is an incentive program that combines a monthly incentive component with a quarterly strategic bonus component. Under the Plan, DWS Scudder Wholesalers will receive a monetary monthly incentive based on the amount of sales generated from their marketing of the funds, and that incentive will differ depending on the product category of the fund. Each fund is assigned to one of three product categories -- "Core," "Satellite" or "Non-Core/Satellite" -- taking into consideration, among other things, the following criteria, where applicable: 42 o The fund's 3 year performance; o The fund's Morningstar rating; o Market size for the fund category; o The fund's size, including sales and redemptions of the fund's shares; o The length of time the fund's Portfolio Manager has managed the fund; and o The fund's consistency with DWS Scudder's branding. This information and other factors are presented to a committee comprised of representatives from various groups within DWS Scudder, who review on a quarterly basis the funds assigned to each product category described above, and make any changes to those assignments at that time. No one factor, whether positive or negative, determines the Fund's placement in a given category; all these factors together are considered, and the designation of funds in the Core and Satellite categories represents management's judgment based on the above criteria. In addition, management may consider the Fund's profile over the course of several review periods before making a change to its category assignment. These category assignments will be posted quarterly to the DWS fund website at www.dws-scudder.com, approximately one month after the end of each quarter. DWS Scudder Wholesalers will receive the highest compensation for Core funds, less for Satellite funds and the lowest for Non-Core/Satellite funds. In the normal course of business, DWS Scudder will from time to time introduce new funds into the DWS family of funds. As a general rule, all new funds will be placed in a New Fund compensation category for a minimum period of four consecutive quarters, and DWS Scudder Wholesalers will be paid at a rate that is equivalent to that of the Core Fund category. After that four quarter period, each fund in the New Fund category will be reviewed by the committee and either assigned to one of the three categories or continued as a New Fund at that time. The prospect of receiving, or the receipt of, additional compensation by a DWS Scudder Wholesaler under the Plan may provide an incentive to favor marketing the Core or Satellite funds over the Non-Core/Satellite funds. The Plan, however, will not change the price that you pay for shares of the fund. The DWS Scudder Compliance Department monitors DWS Scudder Wholesaler sales and other activity in an effort to detect unusual activity in the context of the compensation structure under the Plan. However, investors may wish to take the Plan and the product category of the fund into account when considering purchasing the Fund or evaluating any recommendations relating to fund shares. Telephone and Electronic Transaction Procedures. Shareholders have various telephone, Internet, wire and other electronic privileges available. The Fund or its agents may be liable for any losses, expenses or costs arising out of fraudulent or unauthorized instructions pursuant to these privileges unless the Fund or its agents reasonably believe, based upon reasonable verification procedures, that the instructions were genuine. Verification procedures include recording instructions, requiring certain identifying information before acting upon instructions and sending written confirmations. During periods when it is difficult to contact the Shareholder Service Agent, it may be difficult to use telephone, wire and other privileges. QuickBuy and QuickSell. QuickBuy and QuickSell permits the transfer of money via the Automated Clearing House System (minimum $50 and maximum $250,000) from or to a shareholder's bank, savings and loan, or credit union account in connection with the purchase or redemption of fund shares. Shares purchased by check or through QuickBuy and QuickSell or Direct Deposit may not be redeemed under this privilege until such Shares have been owned for at least 10 calendar days. QuickBuy and QuickSell cannot be used with passbook savings accounts or for certain tax-deferred plans such as IRAs. 43 Dividend Payment Options. Investors may have dividends and distributions automatically deposited to their predesignated bank account through DWS Scudder's Dividend Payment Option request form. Shareholders whose predesignated checking account of record is with a member bank of Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) can have income and capital gain distributions automatically deposited to their personal bank account usually within three business days after the Fund pays its distribution. A Dividend Payment Option request form can be obtained by visiting our Web site at: www.dws-scudder.com or calling 1-800-728-3337. Confirmation Statements will be mailed to shareholders as notification that distributions have been deposited. Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plans. The Shareholder Service Agent provides retirement plan services and documents and DWS-SDI can establish investor accounts in any of the following types of retirement plans: o Traditional, Roth and Education IRAs. This includes Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers ("SIMPLE"), Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SEP") IRA accounts and prototype documents. o 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts. This type of plan is available to employees of most non-profit organizations. o Prototype money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans may be adopted by employers. Brochures describing these plans as well as model defined benefit plans, target benefit plans, 457 plans, 401(k) plans, simple 401(k) plans and materials for establishing them are available from the Shareholder Service Agent upon request. Additional fees and transaction policies and procedures may apply to such plans. Investors should consult with their own tax advisors before establishing a retirement plan. Purchases The Fund reserves the right to withdraw all or any part of the offering made by its prospectus and to reject purchase orders for any reason. Also, from time to time, the Fund may temporarily suspend the offering of any class of its shares to new investors. During the period of such suspension, persons who are already shareholders of such class of such fund may be permitted to continue to purchase additional shares of such class and to have dividends reinvested. Fees generally charged to IRA accounts will be charged to accounts of Deutsche or Scudder employees and directors. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For more information, please see "Policies You Should Know About" in the fund prospectus. Eligible Class S Investors. A. The following investors may purchase Class S shares of DWS Funds either (i) directly from DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. ("DWS-SDI"), the Fund's principal underwriter; or (ii) through an intermediary relationship with a financial services firm established with respect to the DWS Funds as of December 31, 2004. Investors may not otherwise purchase Class S shares through a broker-dealer, registered investment advisor or other financial services firm. 1. Existing shareholders of Class S shares of any DWS Fund as of December 31, 2004, and household members residing at the same address. 2. Shareholders who own Class S shares continuously since December 31, 2004 and household members residing at the same address may open new accounts for Class S shares of any DWS Fund. 44 3. Any participant who owns Class S shares of any DWS Fund through an employee sponsored retirement, employee stock, bonus, pension or profit sharing plan continuously since December 31, 2004 may open a new individual account for Class S shares of any DWS Fund. 4. Any participant who owns Class S shares of any DWS Fund through a retirement, employee stock, bonus, pension or profit sharing plan may complete a direct rollover to an IRA account that will hold Class S shares. This applies to individuals who begin their retirement plan investments with a DWS Fund at any time, including after December 31, 2004. 5. Existing shareholders of Class AARP shares of any DWS Fund as of July 17, 2006, and household members residing at the same address. 6. Officers, Fund Trustees and Directors, and full-time employees and their family members, of the Advisor and its affiliates. 7. Class S shares are available to any accounts managed by the Advisor, any advisory products offered by the Advisor or DWS-SDI and to DWS Allocation Series or other fund of funds managed by the Advisor or its affiliates. 8. Shareholders of Class S of DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund who became shareholders of the fund in connection with the fund's acquisition of Scudder New Asia Fund, Inc. on April 17, 2006. 9. Existing shareholders of Class M of any DWS Fund as of August 18, 2006, and household members residing at the same address. 10. Shareholders of Investment Class of any DWS Fund who became shareholders of Class S shares of the Fund with the renaming or conversion of Investment Class to Class S on October 23, 2006. B. The following additional investors may purchase Class S shares of DWS Funds. 1. Broker-dealers and registered investment advisors ("RIAs") may purchase Class S shares in connection with a comprehensive or "wrap" fee program or other fee based program. 2. Any group retirement, employee stock, bonus, pension or profit-sharing plans. DWS-SDI may, at its discretion, require appropriate documentation that shows an investor is eligible to purchase Class S shares. Clients having a regular investment counsel account with the Advisor or its affiliates and members of their immediate families, officers and employees of the Advisor or of any affiliated organization and members of their immediate families, members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and banks may, if they prefer, subscribe initially for at least $2,500 for Class S through DWS-SDI by letter, fax, or telephone. It is our policy to offer purchase privileges to current or former directors or trustees of the Deutsche mutual funds, employees, their spouses or life partners and children or step-children age 21 or younger of Deutsche Bank or its affiliates or a sub-adviser to any fund in the DWS family of funds or a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares of the funds. Qualified individuals will generally be allowed to purchase shares in the class with the lowest expense ratio, usually the Institutional Class. If the Fund does not offer Institutional Class shares, these individuals will be allowed to buy Class A shares at NAV. The Fund also reserves the right to waive the 45 minimum account balance requirement for employees and director accounts. Fees generally charged to IRA accounts will be charged to accounts of employees and directors. Automatic Investment Plan. A shareholder may purchase additional shares of the Fund through an automatic investment program. With the Direct Deposit Purchase Plan ("Direct Deposit"), investments are made automatically (minimum $50 and maximum $250,000 for both initial and subsequent investments) from the shareholder's account at a bank, savings and loan or credit union into the shareholder's fund account. Termination by a shareholder will become effective within thirty days after the Shareholder Service Agent has received the request. The Fund may immediately terminate a shareholder's Direct Deposit in the event that any item is unpaid by the shareholder's financial institution. Payroll Investment Plans. A shareholder may purchase shares through Payroll Direct Deposit or Government Direct Deposit. Under these programs, all or a portion of a shareholder's net pay or government check is invested each payment period. A shareholder may terminate participation in these programs by giving written notice to the shareholder's employer or government agency, as appropriate. (A reasonable time to act is required.) The Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the employer or government agency making the payment or any financial institutions transmitting payments. Expedited Purchase Procedures for Existing Shareholders. Shareholders of other DWS funds who have submitted an account application and have certified a tax identification number, clients having a regular investment counsel account with the Advisor or its affiliates and members of their immediate families, officers and employees of the Advisor or of any affiliated organization and their immediate families, members of the NASD, and banks may open an account by wire by calling 1-800-728-3337 for instructions. The investor must send a duly completed and signed application to the fund promptly. A subsequent purchase order for $10,000 or more that is not greater than four times an account value may be placed by telephone, fax, etc. by established shareholders (except by DWS Scudder Individual Retirement Account (IRA), DWS Scudder Horizon Plan, DWS Scudder Profit Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans, DWS Scudder 401(k) and DWS Scudder 403(b) Plan holders), members of the NASD, and banks. Revenue Sharing. In light of recent regulatory developments, the investment advisor (the "Advisor"), DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") and their affiliates have undertaken to furnish certain additional information below regarding the level of payments made by them to selected affiliated and unaffiliated brokers, dealers, participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries ("financial advisors") in connection with the sale and/or distribution of Fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of investors and Fund shares ("revenue sharing"). The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their own assets and not as an additional charge to the Fund, to financial advisors in connection with the sale and/or distribution of Fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of Fund investors and Fund shares. Such revenue sharing payments are in addition to any distribution or service fees payable under any Rule 12b-1 or service plan of any fund, any record keeping/sub-transfer agency fees payable by the Funds (generally by reimbursement to the Distributor or an affiliate) to certain financial advisors for performing such services and any sales charges, commissions, non-cash compensation arrangements expressly permitted under applicable rules of the NASD or other concessions described in the fee table or elsewhere in the prospectus or the SAI as payable to all financial advisors. For example, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may compensate financial advisors for administrative, sub-accounting or shareholder processing services and/or for providing a fund with "shelf space" or access to a third party platform or fund offering list, or other marketing programs including, without limitation, inclusion of the Fund on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund "supermarket" platforms and other formal sales programs; granting the Distributor access to the financial advisor's sales force; granting the Distributor access to the financial advisor's conferences and meetings; assistance in training and educating the financial advisor's personnel; and, obtaining other forms of marketing support. The level of revenue sharing payments made to financial advisors may be a fixed fee or based upon one or more of the following factors: gross sales, current assets and/or number of accounts of the Fund attributable to the financial advisor, the particular fund or fund type or other measures as agreed to by the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates and the financial advisors or any combination thereof. The amount of these payments is determined at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different financial advisors based on, for example, the nature of the services provided by the financial advisor. 46 The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates currently make revenue sharing payments from their own assets in connection with the sale and/or distribution of DWS Fund shares, or the retention and/or servicing of investors and DWS Fund shares to financial advisors in amounts that generally range from ..01% up to .50% of assets of the Funds serviced and maintained by the financial advisor, .05% to .40% of sales of the Funds attributable to the financial advisor, a flat fee of $12,500 up to $500,000, or any combination thereof. These amounts are subject to change at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates. Receipt of, or the prospect of receiving, this additional compensation, may influence your financial advisor's recommendation of this Fund or of any particular share class of the Funds. You should review your financial advisor's compensation disclosure and/or talk to your financial advisor to obtain more information on how this compensation may have influenced your financial advisor's recommendation of this Fund. The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may also make such revenue sharing payments to financial advisors under the terms discussed above in connection with the distribution of both DWS Funds and non-DWS funds by financial advisors to retirement plans that obtain record keeping services from ADP, Inc. on the DWS Scudder branded retirement plan platform (the "Platform") with the level of revenue sharing payments being based upon sales of both the DWS Funds and the non-DWS funds by the financial advisor on the Platform or current assets of both the DWS Funds and the non-DWS Funds serviced and maintained by the financial advisor on the Platform. As of the date hereof, the Advisor, the Distributor and their affiliates expect that the following firms will receive revenue sharing payments at different points during the coming year as described above: Channel: Broker-Dealers and Financial Advisors A G Edwards & Sons Inc. AIG Advisors Group Cadaret, Grant & Co. Inc. Brown Brothers Harriman Capital Analyst, Incorporated Citicorp Investment Services Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. (dba Smith Barney) Commonwealth Equity Services, LLP (dba Commonwealth Financial Network) HD Vest Investment Securities, Inc. ING Group LaSalle Financial Services, Inc. Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. McDonald Investments Inc. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. Morgan Stanley Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Pacific Select Distributors Group The Principal Financial Group Prudential Investments Raymond James & Associates Raymond James Financial Services RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc Securities America, Inc. UBS Financial Services Wachovia Securities Wells Fargo Investments, LLC Channel: Fund Supermarket Platforms ADP Clearing Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. E*Trade Fidelity Investments First Trust 47 National Financial National Investor Services Corporation Pershing LLC USAA Investment Management Channel: Defined Contribution Investment Only Platforms 401K Investment Services ACS / Buck Consultants ADP, Inc. Alliance Benefit Group Financial Services Corp. American Express Financial Advisors, Inc. AMG Service Corp. / Lincoln Retirement Services Company, LLC AST Trust Company Benefit Administration BISYS Ceridian Retirement Plan Services Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Charles Schwab Trust Company City National Bank Citistreet C.N.A. Trust Compusys/ERISA Group Inc. Copeland Companies CPI Qualified Plans Daily Access.Com Inc. Digital Retirement Solutions Edgewood Services Expert Plan Inc. Federated Securities Corp. Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Company Fisserv Franklin Templeton Defined Contribution GoldK Great West Life and Annuity / BenefitsCorp Equities Inc. Hand Securities Hartford Life Insurance Company Hewitt Assoc. LLC ING Aetna Trust Company Invesmart JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services LLC John Hancock Lincoln National Life Marsh Insurance & Investment Company Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plan Matrix Settlement & Clearance Mercer HR Services Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. Met Life MFS Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation Nationwide Trust Company Nationwide Financial Neuberger Berman New York Life Investment Management Service Company Nyhart/Alliance Benefit Group Indiana 48 PFPC, Inc. Plan Administrators, Inc. PNC Bank N.A. Principal Life Insurance Company Prudential Investments Reliance Trust Company Resource Trust (IMS) Retirement Financial Services State Street Bank and Trust Company SunGard Investment Products Inc. The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. T. Rowe Price Union Bank of California UMB Bank Valic/Virsco Retirement Services Co Vanguard Group Wachovia Bank (First Union National Bank) Wells Fargo Wilmington Trust Channel: Cash Product Platform ADP Clearing & Outsourcing Allegheny Investments LTD Bank of New York (Hare & Co.) Bear Stearns Brown Investment Advisory & Trust Company Brown Brothers Harriman Cadaret Grant & Co. Chase Manhattan Bank Chicago Mercantile Exchange Citibank, N.A. D.A. Davidson & Company DB Alex Brown/Pershing DB Securities Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas Emmett A. Larkin Company Fiduciary Trust Co. - International Huntleigh Securities Lincoln Investment Planning Linsco Private Ledger Financial Services Mellon Bank Nesbitt Burns Corp. Penson Financial Services Pershing Choice Platform Profunds Distributors, Inc. SAMCO Capital Markets (Fund Services, Inc.) Saturn & Co. (Investors Bank & Trust Company) Smith Moore & Company Sungard Financial Turtle & Co. (State Street) UBS US Bank William Blair & Company Channel: Third Party Insurance Platforms 49 Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York Ameritas Life Insurance Group American General Life Insurance Company Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company Columbus Life Insurance Company Companion Life Insurance Company Connecticut General Life Insurance Company Farmers New World Life Insurance Company Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company First Great-West Life and Annuity Insurance Company First MetLife Investors Insurance Company Genworth Life Insurance Company of New York Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company Great West Life and Annuity Insurance Company Hartford Life Insurance Company Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company ICMG Registered Variable Life John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) Kemper Investors Life Insurance Company Lincoln Benefit Life Insurance Company Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York Lincoln National Life Insurance Company Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company MetLife Group Minnesota Life Insurance Company Mutual of America Life Insurance Company National Life Insurance Company Nationwide Financial Services Inc. Nationwide Life and Annuity Company of America Nationwide Life Insurance Company of America New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation Phoenix Life Insurance Company Protective Life Insurance Prudential Insurance Company of America Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) Sun Life Assurance and Annuity Company of New York Symetra Life Insurance Company Transamerica Life Insurance Company Union Central Life Insurance Company United of Omaha Life Insurance Company United Investors Life Insurance Company Western Southern Life Assurance Company Any additions, modifications or deletions to the financial advisors identified above that have occurred since the date hereof are not reflected. The Advisor, the Distributor or their affiliates may enter into additional revenue sharing arrangements or change or discontinue existing arrangements with financial advisors at any time without notice. The prospect of receiving, or the receipt of additional compensation or promotional incentives described above by financial advisors may provide such financial advisors and/or their salespersons with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the DWS Funds or a particular DWS Fund over sales of shares of mutual funds (or non-mutual fund investments) with respect to which the financial advisor does not receive additional compensation or promotional incentives, or receives lower levels of additional compensation or promotional incentives. Similarly, financial advisors may receive different compensation or incentives that may influence their recommendation of any 50 particular share class of the Funds or of other funds. These payment arrangements, however, will not change the price that an investor pays for Fund shares or the amount that a Fund receives to invest on behalf of an investor and will not increase Fund expenses. You may wish to take such payment arrangements into account when considering and evaluating any recommendations relating to Fund shares and you should discuss this matter with your financial advisor and review your financial advisor's disclosures. It is likely that broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions for the Funds will include firms that also sell shares of the DWS Funds to their customers. However, the Advisor will not consider sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the DWS Funds. Accordingly, the Advisor has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent its traders from considering sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Funds. In addition, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates will not use fund brokerage to pay for their obligation to provide additional compensation to financial advisors as described above. Redemptions Redemption fee. The Fund will impose a redemption fee of 2% of the total redemption amount (calculated at net asset value) on all fund shares redeemed or exchanged within 15 days of buying them (either by purchase or exchange). The redemption fee is paid directly to the Fund, and is designed to encourage long-term investment and to offset transaction and other costs associated with short-term or excessive trading. For purposes of determining whether the redemption fee applies, shares held the longest time will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held the shortest time will be treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee is applicable to fund shares purchased either directly or through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer. Transactions through financial intermediaries typically are placed with the fund on an omnibus basis and include both purchase and sale transactions placed on behalf of multiple investors. These purchase and sale transactions are generally netted against one another and placed on an aggregate basis; consequently the identities of the individuals on whose behalf the transactions are placed generally are not known to the Fund. For this reason, the Fund has undertaken to notify financial intermediaries of their obligation to assess the redemption fee on customer accounts and to collect and remit the proceeds to the Fund. However, due to operational requirements, the intermediaries' methods for tracking and calculating the fee may be inadequate or differ in some respects from the Fund's. The Fund may suspend or postpone redemptions as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act. Generally, those circumstances are when: (1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary weekend or holiday closings; (2) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted; (3) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by the Fund or the fair determination of the value of the Fund's net assets not reasonably practicable; or (4) the SEC, by order, permits the suspension of the right of redemption. Redemption payments by wire may also be delayed in the event of a non-routine closure of the Federal Reserve wire payment system. A request for repurchase (confirmed redemption) may be communicated by a shareholder through a financial services firm to DWS-SDI, which firms must promptly submit orders to be effective. Redemption requests must be unconditional. Redemption requests (and a stock power for certificated shares) must be duly endorsed by the account holder. As specified in the prospectus, signatures may need to be guaranteed by a commercial bank, trust company, savings and loan association, federal savings bank, member firm of a national securities exchange or other financial institution permitted by SEC rule. Additional documentation may be required, particularly from institutional and fiduciary account holders, such as corporations, custodians (e.g., under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act), executors, administrators, trustees or guardians. 51 If the proceeds of the redemption (prior to the imposition of any contingent deferred sales charge) are $100,000 or less and the proceeds are payable to the shareholder of record at the address of record, normally a telephone request or a written request by any one account holder without a signature guarantee is sufficient for redemptions by individual or joint account holders, and trust, executor and guardian account holders, provided the trustee, executor or guardian is named in the account registration. Other institutional account holders may exercise this special privilege of redeeming shares by telephone request or written request without signature guarantee subject to the same conditions as individual account holders, provided that this privilege has been pre-authorized by the institutional account holder by written instruction to the Shareholder Service Agent with signatures guaranteed. This privilege may not be used to redeem shares held in certificated form and may not be used if the shareholder's account has had an address change within 15 days of the redemption request. Wires. Delivery of the proceeds of a wire redemption of $250,000 or more may be delayed by the Fund for up to seven days if the Fund or the Shareholder Service Agent deems it appropriate under then-current market conditions. The ability to send wires is limited by the business hours and holidays of the firms involved. The Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the federal wire system or the account holder's financial services firm or bank. The account holder is responsible for any charges imposed by the account holder's firm or bank. To change the designated account to receive wire redemption proceeds, send a written request to the Fund Shareholder Service Agent with signatures guaranteed as described above or contact the firm through which fund shares were purchased. Automatic Withdrawal Plan. The owner of $5,000 or more of a class of the fund's shares at the offering price (net asset value plus, in the case of Class A shares, the initial sales charge) may provide for the payment from the owner's account of any requested dollar amount to be paid to the owner or a designated payee monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually. The $5,000 minimum account size is not applicable to IRAs. The minimum periodic payment is $50. The maximum annual rate at which shares, subject to CDSC may be redeemed is 12% of the net asset value of the account. Shares are redeemed so that the payee should receive payment approximately the first of the month. Investors using this Plan must reinvest fund distributions. In-kind Redemptions. The Fund reserves the right to honor any request for redemption or repurchase by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities. These securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued as they are for purposes of computing the Fund's net asset value. A shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash. Exchanges Shareholders may request a taxable exchange of their shares for shares of the corresponding class of other DWS Funds without imposition of a sales charge, subject to the provisions below. For purposes of calculating any CDSC, amounts exchanged retain their original cost and purchase date. Shares of money market funds that were acquired by purchase (not including shares acquired by dividend reinvestment) are subject to the applicable sales charge on exchange. Series of DWS Target Fund are available on exchange only during the Offering Period for such series as described in the applicable prospectus. Cash Management Fund Investment, Tax Free Money Fund Investment, NY Tax Free Money Fund, Treasury Money Fund Investment, Money Market Fund Investment, Cash Management Fund Institutional, Cash Reserves Fund Institutional, Treasury Money Fund Institutional, Cash Reserve Fund, Inc. -- Prime Series, Cash Reserve Fund, Inc. -- Treasury Series, Cash Reserve Fund, Inc. -- Tax-Free Series, Tax-Exempt California Money Market Fund, Cash Account Trust, Investors Municipal Cash Fund and Investors Cash Trust are available on exchange but only through a financial services firm having a services agreement with DWS-SDI. All exchanges among money funds must meet applicable investor eligibility and investment requirements. Exchanges may only be made for funds that are available for sale in the shareholder's state of residence. Currently, Tax-Exempt California Money Market Fund is available for sale only in California; and the portfolios of Investors Municipal Cash Fund are available for sale in certain states. Shareholders must obtain prospectuses of the funds they are exchanging into from dealers, other firms or DWS-SDI. 52 Automatic Exchange Plan. The owner of $1,000 or more of any class of shares of a DWS Fund may authorize the automatic exchange of a specified amount ($50 minimum) of such shares for shares of the same class of another such DWS Fund. Exchanges will be made automatically until the shareholder or the Fund terminates the privilege. Exchanges are subject to the terms and conditions described above. DIVIDENDS The Fund intends to follow the practice of distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income, which includes any excess of net realized short-term capital gains over net realized long-term capital losses. The Fund may follow the practice of distributing the entire excess of net realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses. However, the Fund may retain all or part of such gain for reinvestment, after paying the related federal taxes for which shareholders may then be able to claim a credit against their federal tax liability. If the Fund does not distribute the amount of capital gain and/or ordinary income required to be distributed by an excise tax provision of the Code, the Fund may be subject to that excise tax. In certain circumstances, the Fund may determine that it is in the interest of shareholders to distribute less than the required amount. The Fund intends to distribute dividends from its net investment income excluding short-term capital gains annually in December. The Fund intends to distribute net realized capital gains after utilization of capital loss carryforwards, if any, in December to prevent application of a federal excise tax. An additional distribution may be made, if necessary. Any dividends or capital gains distributions declared in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be treated by shareholders for federal income tax purposes as if received on December 31 of the calendar year declared. Income and capital gain dividends, if any, of the Fund will be credited to shareholder accounts in full and fractional shares of the same class of the fund at net asset value on the reinvestment date, except that, upon written request to the Shareholder Service Agent, a shareholder may select one of the following options: 1. To receive income and short-term capital gain dividends in cash and long-term capital gain dividends in shares of the same class at net asset value; or 2. To receive income and capital gain dividends in cash. Dividends will be reinvested in shares of the same class of the Fund unless shareholders indicate in writing that they wish to receive them in cash or in shares of other DWS Funds with multiple classes of shares or DWS Funds as provided in the prospectus. To use this privilege of investing dividends of the Fund in shares of another DWS Fund, shareholders must maintain a minimum account value of $1,000 in the Fund distributing the dividends. The Fund will reinvest dividend checks (and future dividends) in shares of that same fund and class if checks are returned as undeliverable. Dividends and other distributions of the Fund in the aggregate amount of $10 or less are automatically reinvested in shares of the Fund unless the shareholder requests that such policy not be applied to the shareholder's account. If an investment is in the form of a retirement plan, all dividends and capital gains distributions must be reinvested into the shareholder's account. If a shareholder has elected to reinvest any dividends and/or other distributions, such distributions will be made in shares of that fund and confirmations will be mailed to each shareholder. If a shareholder has chosen to receive cash, a check will be sent. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains are taxable, whether made in shares or cash. Each distribution is accompanied by a brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution. The characterization of distributions on such correspondence may differ from the characterization for federal tax 53 purposes. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions in the prior calendar year. The Fund may at any time vary its foregoing dividend practices and, therefore, reserves the right from time to time to either distribute or retain for reinvestment such of its net investment income and its net short-term and long-term capital gains as its Board determines appropriate under the then current circumstances. In particular, and without limiting the foregoing, the Fund may make additional distributions of net investment income or capital gain net income in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements contained in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("the Code"). FEDERAL INCOME TAXES The following is intended to be a general summary of certain federal income tax consequences of investing in the funds. It is not intended as a complete discussion of all such consequences, nor does it purport to deal with all categories of investors. Investors are therefore advised to consult with their tax advisors before making an investment in the Fund. The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and their shareholders, the Fund must, among other things: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, and (ii) net income derived from interests in "qualified publicly traded partnerships" (as defined below);or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies (b) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid--generally, taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt interest income, for such year; and (c) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets is invested (x) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. Government or other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below). In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in paragraph (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized by the regulated investment company. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a "qualified publicly traded partnership" (defined as a partnership (i) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (ii) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in paragraph (a) (i) above) will be treated as qualifying income. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. Finally, for purposes of paragraph (c) above, the term "outstanding voting securities of such issuer" will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. 54 If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for the special federal income tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, all of its taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders), and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Such distributions would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. In addition, the fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment. The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on amounts required to be but not distributed under a prescribed formula. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund's taxable ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over capital losses realized during the one-year period ending October 31 (in most cases) of such year as well as amounts that were neither distributed nor taxed to the fund during the prior calendar year. Although the Fund's distribution policies should enable it to avoid excise tax liability, the Fund may retain (and be subject to income or excise tax on) a portion of its capital gain or other income if it appears to be in the interest of such fund. Taxation of Distributions from the Funds. For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the funds owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares. Distributions of net capital gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for more than one year and that are properly designated by the Fund as capital gain dividends ("Capital Gain Dividends") will be taxable as long-term capital gains. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, distributions of investment income designated by the Fund as derived from "qualified dividend income" will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and fund level. Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the Fund before a shareholder's investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid). Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares through the reinvestment privilege. A shareholder whose distributions are reinvested in shares will be treated as having received a dividend equal to the fair market value of the new shares issued to the shareholder. Any gain resulting from the sale or exchange of fund shares generally will be taxable as capital gains. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced -- in general, to 15% with lower rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% rate brackets -- for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. In order for some portion of the dividends received by the Fund shareholder to be "qualified dividend income," the fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund's shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment interest, or (4) if the dividend 55 is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company. In general, distributions of investment income designated by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund's shares. If the aggregate dividends received by the fund during any taxable year are 95% or more of its gross income, then 100% of the Fund's dividends (other than dividends properly designated as capital gain dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only gain included in the term "gross income" is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss. Special tax rules apply to investments though defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax adviser to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of and investment on their particular tax situation. Dividends Received Deduction. Dividends from domestic corporations may comprise a substantial part of the Fund's gross income. If any such dividends constitute a portion of the Fund's gross income, a portion of the income distributions of such fund may be eligible for the 70% deduction for dividends received by corporations. Shareholders will be informed of the portion of dividends which so qualify. The dividends-received deduction is reduced to the extent the shares of the Fund with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under federal income tax law and is eliminated if either those shares or the shares of the Fund are deemed to have been held by the fund or the shareholder, as the case may be, for less than 46 days during the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend. Transactions in Fund Shares. The sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of shares of the Fund will be treated as short-term gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of the Fund will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares of the Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Foreign Taxation. Foreign withholding or other foreign taxes with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) on certain foreign securities may occur. These taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of an applicable US income tax treaty. As it is not expected that more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets will consist of securities issued by foreign corporations, the Fund will not be eligible to pass through to shareholders its proportionate share of any foreign taxes paid, with the result that shareholders will not be able to include in income, and will not be entitled to take any credits or deductions for such foreign taxes. Passive Foreign Investment Companies. Equity investments by the Fund in certain "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") could potentially subject the Fund to a US federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to fund shareholders. However, such fund may elect to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, the fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" (a "QEF election"), in which case the Fund would be required to include its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company. Such fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings "to the market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require such fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the 56 recognition of gain and affect the Fund's total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as "qualified dividend income." Other Tax Considerations. The Fund's use of options, futures contracts, forward contracts (to the extent permitted) and certain other Strategic Transactions will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate the Fund's income, defer losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of portfolio securities, convert capital gains into ordinary income and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to investors. Certain of the Fund's hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. The distribution (if any) of such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and profits (including earnings sand profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient's basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter as a gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Fund's book income is less than its taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment. The Fund's investment in zero coupon bonds and other debt obligations having original issue discount may cause the fund to recognize taxable income in excess of any cash received from the investment. Under the backup withholding provisions of the Code, redemption proceeds as well as distributions may be subject to federal income tax withholding for certain shareholders, including those who fail to furnish the Fund with their taxpayer identification numbers and certifications as to their tax status. Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares. Capital gains distributions may be reduced if fund capital loss carryforwards are available. Any capital loss carryforwards to which the Fund is entitled are disclosed in the Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. All distributions by the Fund result in a reduction in the net asset value of that fund's shares. Should a distribution reduce the net asset value below a shareholder's cost basis, such distribution would nevertheless be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain as described above, even though, from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In particular, investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of buying shares just prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a distribution will receive a partial return of capital upon the distribution, which will nevertheless be taxable to them. Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances. Non-U.S. Shareholders. In general, dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a "U.S. person" within the meaning of the Code (such shareholder, a "foreign person") are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding. However, before 57 January 1, 2008, the Fund will not be required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (w) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (x) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (y) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (z) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person is a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income that would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions are properly designated by the Fund, and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to an individual foreign person who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, to the extent such distributions are properly designated by the Fund. Depending on the circumstances, the Fund may make such designations with respect to all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a foreign person will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund makes a designation with respect to a payment. Foreign persons should consult their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their account. If a beneficial holder who is a foreign person has a trade or business in the United States, and the dividends are effectively connected with the conduct by the beneficial holder of a trade or business in the United States, the dividend will be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates. Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their own circumstances regarding the above-described general federal income taxation rules and with respect to other federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences to them of an investment in shares of the Fund. 58 NET ASSET VALUE The net asset value of shares of the Fund is computed as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") on each day the Exchange is open for trading (the "Value Time"). The Exchange is scheduled to be closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. Net asset value per share is determined separately for each class of shares by dividing the value of the total assets of the Fund attributable to the shares of that class, less all liabilities attributable to that class, by the total number of shares of that class outstanding. The per share net asset value may be lower for certain classes of the Fund because of higher expenses borne by these classes. An equity security is valued at its most recent sale price on the security's primary exchange or OTC market as of the Value Time. Lacking any sales, the security is valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid quotation and the most recent asked quotation (the "Calculated Mean") on such exchange or OTC market as of the Value Time. If it is not possible to determine the Calculated Mean, the security is valued at the most recent bid quotation on such exchange or OTC market as of the Value Time. In the case of certain foreign exchanges or OTC markets, the closing price reported by the exchange or OTC market (which may sometimes be referred to as the "official close" or the "official closing price" or other similar term) will be considered the most recent sale price. Debt securities are valued as follows. Money market instruments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of 60 days or less, maturing at par, are valued at amortized cost. Other money market instruments are valued based on information obtained from an approved pricing agent or, if such information is not readily available, by using matrix pricing techniques (formula driven calculations based primarily on current market yields). Bank loans are valued at prices supplied by an approved pricing agent (which are intended to reflect the mean between the bid and asked prices), if available, and otherwise at the mean of the most recent bid and asked quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, based on quotations or evaluated prices obtained from one or more broker-dealers. Privately placed debt securities, other than Rule 144A debt securities, initially are valued at cost and thereafter based on all relevant factors including type of security, size of holding and restrictions on disposition. Municipal debt securities are valued at prices supplied by an approved pricing agent (which are intended to reflect the mean between the bid and asked prices), if available, and otherwise at the mean of the most recent bid and asked quotations or evaluated prices obtained from a broker-dealer. Other debt securities are valued at prices supplied by an approved pricing agent, if available, and otherwise at the most recent bid quotation or evaluated price, as applicable, obtained from one or more broker-dealers. If it is not possible to value a particular debt security pursuant to the above methods, the security is valued on the basis of factors including (but not limited to) maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination, and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. An exchange-traded option contract on securities, currencies and other financial instruments is valued at its most recent sale price on the relevant exchange. Lacking any sales, the option contract is valued at the Calculated Mean. If it is not possible to determine the Calculated Mean, the option contract is valued at the most recent bid quotation in the case of a purchased option contract or the most recent asked quotation in the case of a written option contract, in each case as of the Value Time. An option contract on securities, currencies and other financial instruments traded in the OTC market is valued on the Value Date at the evaluated price provided by the broker-dealer with which it was traded. Futures contracts (and options thereon) are valued at the most recent settlement price, if available, on the exchange on which they are traded most extensively. With the exception of stock index futures, contracts which trade on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, closing settlement times are prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. For stock index futures contracts which trade on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, closing settlement prices are normally available at approximately 4:20 Eastern time. If no settlement price is available, the last traded price on such exchange will be used. 59 If market quotations for a portfolio asset are not readily available or the value of a portfolio asset as determined in accordance with Board approved procedures does not represent the fair market value of the portfolio asset, the value of the portfolio asset is taken to be an amount which, in the opinion of the Fund's Pricing Committee (or, in some cases, the Board's Valuation Committee), represents fair market value. The value of other portfolio holdings owned by the Fund is determined in a manner which is intended to fairly reflect the fair market value of the asset on the valuation date, based on valuation procedures adopted by the Fund's Board and overseen primarily by the Fund's Pricing Committee. 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS The following table presents certain information regarding the Board Members of the Trust. Each Board Member's year of birth is set forth in parentheses after his or her name. Unless otherwise noted, (i) each Board Member has engaged in the principal occupation(s) noted in the table for at least the most recent five years, although not necessarily in the same capacity, and (ii) the address of each Independent Board Member, that is, they are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or the Advisor, is c/o Dawn-Marie Driscoll, PO Box 100176, Cape Coral, FL 33904. The term of office for each Board Member is until the election and qualification of a successor, or until such Board Member sooner dies, resigns, is removed or as otherwise provided in the governing documents of the Trust. Because the Fund does not hold an annual meeting of shareholders, each Board Member will hold office for an indeterminate period. The Board Members may also serve in similar capacities with other funds in the DWS fund complex. Independent Board Members
Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust Number of Funds and Length of Time Business Experience and in DWS Fund Served Directorships During the Past 5 Years Complex Overseen - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dawn-Marie Driscoll (1946) President, Driscoll Associates (consulting firm); Executive 88 Chairman since 2004 Fellow, Center for Business Ethics, Bentley College; Board Member since formerly, Partner, Palmer & Dodge (1988-1990); Vice 1987 President of Corporate Affairs and General Counsel, Filene's (1978-1988). Directorships: Advisory Board, Center for Business Ethics, Bentley College; Trustee, Southwest Florida Community Foundation (charitable organization); Former Directorships: Investment Company Institute (audit, executive, nominating committees) and Independent Directors Council (governance, executive committees) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 69 Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust Number of Funds and Length of Time Business Experience and in DWS Fund Served Directorships During the Past 5 Years Complex Overseen - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Henry P. Becton, Jr. President, WGBH Educational Foundation. Directorships: 86 (1943) Association of Public Television Stations; Becton Dickinson Board Member since and Company(1) (medical technology company); Belo 1990 Corporation(1) (media company); Boston Museum of Science; Public Radio International. Former Directorships: American Public Television; Concord Academy; New England Aquarium; Mass. Corporation for Educational Telecommunications; Committee for Economic Development; Public Broadcasting Service - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Keith R. Fox (1954) Managing General Partner, Exeter Capital Partners (a series 88 Board Member since of private equity funds). Directorships: Progressive Holding 1996 Corporation (kitchen goods importer and distributor); Natural History, Inc. (magazine publisher); Box Top Media Inc. (advertising). Former Directorships: Cloverleaf Transportation Inc. (trucking) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kenneth C. Froewiss Clinical Professor of Finance, NYU Stern School of Business 87 (1945) (1997-present); Member, Finance Committee, Association for Board Member since Asian Studies (2002-present); Director, Mitsui Sumitomo 2005 Insurance Group (US) (2004-present); prior thereto, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan (investment banking firm) (until 1996) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Martin J. Gruber Nomura Professor of Finance, Leonard N. Stern School of 88 (1937) Business, New York University (since September 1965); Board Member since Director, Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (since January 1992), Thai 2006 Capital Fund, Inc. (since January 2000), Singapore Fund, Inc. (since January 2000). Formerly, Trustee, TIAA (pension funds) (January 1996-January 2000); Trustee, CREF and CREF Mutual Funds (January 2000-March 2005); Chairman, CREF and CREF Mutual Funds (February 2004-March 2005); and Director, S.G. Cowen Mutual Funds (January 1985-January 2001) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Richard J. Herring Jacob Safra Professor of International Banking and 88 (1946) Professor, Finance Department, The Wharton School, Board Member since University of Pennsylvania (since July 1972); Director, 2006 Lauder Institute of International Management Studies (since July 2000); Co-Director, Wharton Financial Institutions Center (since July 2000). Formerly, Vice Dean and Director, Wharton Undergraduate Division (July 1995-June 2000) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Graham E. Jones Senior Vice President, BGK Realty, Inc. (commercial real 88 (1933) estate) (since 1995). Formerly, Trustee of various Board Member since investment companies managed by Sun Capital Advisors, Inc. 2006 (1998-2005), Morgan Stanley Asset Management (1985-2001) and Weiss, Peck and Greer (1985-2005) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 70 Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust Number of Funds and Length of Time Business Experience and in DWS Fund Served Directorships During the Past 5 Years Complex Overseen - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rebecca W. Rimel President and Chief Executive Officer, The Pew Charitable 88 (1951) Trusts (charitable foundation) (1994 to present); Trustee, Board Member since Thomas Jefferson Foundation (charitable organization) (1994 2006 to present); Trustee, Executive Committee, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (2001 to present). Formerly, Executive Vice President, The Glenmede Trust Company (investment trust and wealth management) (1983 to 2004); Board Member, Investor Education (charitable organization) (2004-2005) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Philip Saunders, Jr. Principal, Philip Saunders Associates (economic and 88 (1935) financial consulting) (since November 1988). Formerly, Board Member since Director, Financial Industry Consulting, Wolf & Company 2006 (consulting) (1987-1988); President, John Hancock Home Mortgage Corporation (1984-1986); Senior Vice President of Treasury and Financial Services, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. (1982-1986) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ William N. Searcy, Jr. Private investor since October 2003; Trustee of 7 open-end 88 (1946) mutual funds managed by Sun Capital Advisers, Inc. (since Board Member since October 1998). Formerly, Pension & Savings Trust Officer, 2006 Sprint Corporation((1)) (telecommunications) (November 1989-September 2003) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jean Gleason Stromberg Retired. Formerly, Consultant (1997-2001); Director, US 88 (1943) Government Accountability Office (1996-1997); Partner, Board Member since Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P. (law firm) (1978-1996). 1999 Directorships: The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Service Source, Inc. Former Directorships: Mutual Fund Directors Forum (2002-2004), American Bar Retirement Association (funding vehicle for retirement plans) (1987-1990 and 1994-1996) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Carl W. Vogt Retired Senior Partner, Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P. (law 86 (1936) firm); formerly, President (interim) of Williams College Board Member since (1999-2000); formerly, President of certain funds in the 2002 Deutsche Asset Management family of funds (formerly, Flag Investors family of funds) (registered investment companies) (1999-2000). Directorships: Yellow Corporation (trucking); American Science & Engineering (x-ray detection equipment). Former Directorships: ISI Family of Funds (registered investment companies, 4 funds overseen); National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak); formerly, Chairman and Member, National Transportation Safety Board - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 71 Interested Board Member - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust Number of Funds and Length of Time Business Experience and in DWS Fund Served Directorships During the Past 5 Years Complex Overseen - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Axel Schwarzer(2) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management; Head of 86 (1958) Deutsche Asset Management Americas; CEO of DWS Scudder; Board Member since formerly, Head of Sales and Product Management for the 2006 Retail and Private Banking Division of Deutsche Bank in Germany (1997-1999); formerly, various strategic and operational positions for Deutsche Bank Germany Retail and Private Banking Division in the field of investment funds, tax driven instruments and asset management for corporates (1989-1996) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Officers(3) Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust Number of Funds and Length of Time Business Experience and in DWS Fund Served Directorships During the Past 5 Years Complex Overseen - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Michael G. Clark(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1965) (2006-present); President of DWS family of funds; formerly, President, 2006-present Director of Fund Board Relations (2004-2006) and Director of Product Development (2000-2004), Merrill Lynch Investment Managers; Senior Vice President Operations, Merrill Lynch Asset Management (1999-2000) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Millette(6) (1962) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a Vice President and Secretary, 1999-present - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paul H. Schubert(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since July n/a (1963) 2004); formerly, Executive Director, Head of Mutual Fund Chief Financial Services and Treasurer for UBS Family of Funds (1998-2004); Officer, 2004-present Vice President and Director of Mutual Fund Finance at UBS Treasurer, 2005-present Global Asset Management (1994-1998) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Patricia DeFilippis(5) Vice President, Deutsche Asset Management (since June n/a (1963) 2005); Counsel, New York Life Investment Management LLC Assistant Secretary, (2003-2005); legal associate, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC 2005-present (1998-2003) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elisa D. Metzger(5) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since September n/a (1962) 2005); Counsel, Morrison and Foerster LLP (1999-2005) Assistant Secretary, 2005-present - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Caroline Pearson(6) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1962) Assistant Secretary, 1997 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 72 Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust Number of Funds and Length of Time Business Experience and in DWS Fund Served Directorships During the Past 5 Years Complex Overseen - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scott M. McHugh(6) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1971) Assistant Treasurer, 2005-present - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathleen Sullivan Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a D'Eramo(6) (1957) Assistant Treasurer, 2003-present - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Robbins(5) (1966) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since n/a Anti-Money Laundering 2005); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Compliance Officer, Laundering Compliance Officer for GE Asset Management 2005-present (1999-2005) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Robert Kloby(5) (1962) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a Chief Compliance (2004-present); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer/Chief Officer, 2006-present Risk Officer, Robeco USA (2000-2004); Vice President, The Prudential Insurance Company of America (1988-2000); E.F. Hutton and Company (1984-1988) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A. Thomas Smith(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1956) (2004-present); formerly, General Counsel, Morgan Stanley Chief Legal Officer, and Van Kampen and Investments (1999-2004); Vice President 2005-present and Associate General Counsel, New York Life Insurance Company (1994-1999); senior attorney, The Dreyfus Corporation (1991-1993); senior attorney, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (1989-1991); staff attorney, US Securities & Exchange Commission and the Illinois Securities Department (1986-1989) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Interested Board Member - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust Number of Funds and Length of Time Business Experience and in DWS Fund Served Directorships During the Past 5 Years Complex Overseen - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Axel Schwarzer(2) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management; Head of 86 (1958) Deutsche Asset Management Americas; CEO of DWS Scudder; Board Member since formerly, board member of DWS Investments, Germany 2006 (1999-2005); formerly, Head of Sales and Product Management for the Retail and Private Banking Division of Deutsche Bank in Germany (1997-1999); formerly, various strategic and operational positions for Deutsche Bank Germany Retail and Private Banking Division in the field of investment funds, tax driven instruments and asset management for corporates (1989-1996) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 73 Officers(3) Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust Number of Funds and Length of Time Business Experience and in DWS Fund Served Directorships During the Past 5 Years Complex Overseen - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Michael G. Clark(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1965) (2006-present); President of DWS family of funds; formerly, President, 2006-present Director of Fund Board Relations (2004-2006) and Director of Product Development (2000-2004), Merrill Lynch Investment Managers; Senior Vice President Operations, Merrill Lynch Asset Management (1999-2000) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Millette(6) (1962) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a Vice President and Secretary, 1999-present - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paul H. Schubert(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since July n/a (1963) 2004); formerly, Executive Director, Head of Mutual Fund Chief Financial Services and Treasurer for UBS Family of Funds (1998-2004); Officer, 2004-present Vice President and Director of Mutual Fund Finance at UBS Treasurer, 2005-present Global Asset Management (1994-1998) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Patricia DeFilippis(5) Vice President, Deutsche Asset Management (since June n/a (1963) 2005); Counsel, New York Life Investment Management LLC Assistant Secretary, (2003-2005); legal associate, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC 2005-present (1998-2003) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elisa D. Metzger(5) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since September n/a (1962) 2005); Counsel, Morrison and Foerster LLP (1999-2005) Assistant Secretary, 2005-present - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Caroline Pearson(6) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1962) Assistant Secretary, 1997-present - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scott M. McHugh(6) Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1971) Assistant Treasurer, 2005-present - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathleen Sullivan Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a D'Eramo(6) (1957) Assistant Treasurer, 2003-present - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Robbins(5) (1966) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management (since n/a Anti-Money Laundering 2005); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Compliance Officer, Laundering Compliance Officer for GE Asset Management 2005-present (1999-2005) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Robert Kloby(5) (1962) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a Chief Compliance (2004-present); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer/Chief Officer, 2006-present Risk Officer, Robeco USA (2000-2004); Vice President, The Prudential Insurance Company of America (1988-2000); E.F. Hutton and Company (1984-1988) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 74 Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust Number of Funds and Length of Time Business Experience and in DWS Fund Served Directorships During the Past 5 Years Complex Overseen - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A. Thomas Smith(5) Managing Director(4), Deutsche Asset Management n/a (1956) (2004-present); formerly, General Counsel, Morgan Stanley Chief Legal Officer, and Van Kampen and Investments (1999-2004); Vice President 2005-present and Associate General Counsel, New York Life Insurance Company (1994-1999); senior attorney, The Dreyfus Corporation (1991-1993); senior attorney, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (1989-1991); staff attorney, US Securities & Exchange Commission and the Illinois Securities Department (1986-1989) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A publicly held company with securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (2) The mailing address of Axel Schwarzer is c/o Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154. Mr. Schwarzer is an interested Board Member by virtue of his positions with Deutsche Asset Management. (3) As a result of their respective positions held with the Advisor, these individuals are considered "interested persons" of the Advisor within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Interested persons receive no compensation from the Funds. (4) Executive title, not a board directorship. (5) Address: 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154. (6) Address: Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Each Officer also holds similar positions for other investment companies for which DeAM, Inc. or an affiliate serves as the advisor. Officer's Role with Principal Underwriter: DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. Paul H. Schubert: Vice President Caroline Pearson: Secretary Information Concerning Committees and Meetings of Board Members The Board Members of the Trust met 10 times during the calendar year ended December 31, 2005 and each Board Member attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and meetings of the committees of the Board on which such Board Member served. Board Committees. Ms. Driscoll has served as Chair of the Board of the Fund since June 2004. The Board has established the following standing committees: Audit Committee, Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, Valuation Committee, Equity Oversight Committee, Fixed Income Oversight Committee, Marketing/Distribution/Shareholder Service Committee, Legal/Regulatory/Compliance Committee and Expense/Operations Committee. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Fund. It also makes recommendations regarding the 75 selection of an independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, reviews the independence of such firm, reviews the scope of audit and internal controls, considers and reports to the Board on matters relating to a Fund's accounting and financial reporting practices, and performs such other tasks as the full Board deems necessary or appropriate. The Audit Committee receives annual representations from the independent registered public accounting firm as to its independence. The members of the Audit Committee are Keith R. Fox (Chair and Audit Committee Financial Expert), Kenneth C. Froewiss, Richard J. Herring, Graham E. Jones, Philip Saunders, Jr., William N. Searcy, Jr. and Jean Gleason Stromberg. The Audit Committee held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee (i) recommends to the Board candidates to serve as Board Members and (ii) oversees and, as appropriate, makes recommendations to the Board regarding other fund governance-related matters, including but not limited to Board compensation practices, retirement policies, self-evaluations of effectiveness, review of possible conflicts of interest and independence issues involving Board Members, allocations of assignments and functions of committees of the Board, and share ownership policies. The members of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are Henry P. Becton, Jr. (Chair), Graham E. Jones, Rebecca W. Rimel and Jean Gleason Stromberg. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee (previously known as the Committee on Independent Directors) held five (5) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Valuation Committee oversees Fund valuation matters, reviews valuation procedures adopted by the Board, determines the fair value of the Fund's securities as needed in accordance with the valuation procedures when actual market values are unavailable and performs such other tasks as the full Board deems necessary or appropriate. The members of the Valuation Committee are Keith R. Fox, Kenneth C. Froewiss, Martin J. Gruber, Richard J. Herring and Philip Saunders, Jr. (Chair). The Valuation Committee held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Board has established two Investment Oversight Committees, one focusing on Funds primarily investing in equity securities (the "Equity Oversight Committee") and one focusing on Funds primarily investing in fixed income securities (the "Fixed Income Oversight Committee"). These Committees meet regularly with Fund portfolio managers and other investment personnel to review the relevant Funds' investment strategies and investment performance. The members of the Equity Oversight Committee are Henry P. Becton, Jr., Martin J. Gruber (Chair), Richard J. Herring, Rebecca W. Rimel, Philip Saunders, Jr. and Carl W. Vogt. The members of the Fixed Income Oversight Committee are Dawn-Marie Driscoll, Keith R. Fox, Kenneth C. Froewiss, Graham E. Jones, William N. Searcy, Jr. (Chair) and Jean Gleason Stromberg. Each Investment Oversight Committee held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Marketing/Distribution/Shareholder Service Committee (formerly known as the Marketing/Shareholder Servicing Committee) oversees (i) the quality, costs and types of shareholder services provided to the Fund and their shareholders, and (ii) the distribution-related services provided to the Funds and their shareholders. The members of the Marketing/Distribution/Shareholder Service Committee are Martin J. Gruber, Richard J. Herring (Chair), Rebecca W. Rimel, Jean Gleason Stromberg and Carl W. Vogt. The Marketing/Distribution/Shareholder Service Committee (previously known as the Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Committee) held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Legal/Regulatory/Compliance Committee oversees (i) the significant legal affairs of the Funds, including the handling of pending or threatened litigation or regulatory action involving the Funds, (ii) general compliance matters relating to the Funds and (iii) proxy voting. The members of the Legal/Regulatory/Compliance Committee are Henry P. Becton, Jr., Dawn-Marie Driscoll, Rebecca W. Rimel, William N. Searcy, Jr., Jean Gleason Stromberg and Carl W. Vogt (Chair). The Legal/Regulatory/Compliance Committee held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. The Expense/Operations Committee (i) monitors the Fund's total operating expense levels, (ii) oversees the provision of administrative services to the Fund, including the Fund's custody, fund accounting and insurance arrangements, and (iii) reviews the Fund's investment advisers' brokerage practices, including the implementation of related policies. The members of the Expense/Operations Committee are Henry P. Becton, Jr., Dawn-Marie Driscoll, Keith R. Fox, Kenneth C. Froewiss, Graham E. Jones (Chair), Philip Saunders, Jr. and William N. Searcy, Jr. This committee held six (6) meetings during the calendar year 2005. 76 Remuneration. Each Independent Board Member receives compensation from the Fund for his or her services, which includes an annual retainer and an attendance fee for each meeting attended. No additional compensation is paid to any Independent Board Member for travel time to meetings, attendance at directors' educational seminars or conferences, service on industry or association committees, participation as speakers at directors' conferences or service on special director task forces or subcommittees. Independent Board Members do not receive any employee benefits such as pension or retirement benefits or health insurance from the Fund or any fund in the DWS fund complex. Members of the Board who are officers, directors, employees or stockholders of Deutsche Asset Management or its affiliates receive no direct compensation from a Fund, although they are compensated as employees of Deutsche Asset Management, or its affiliates, and as a result may be deemed to participate in fees paid by the Funds. The following tables show compensation from the Fund and aggregate compensation from all of the funds in the DWS fund complex received by each Board Member during the calendar year 2005. Drs. Gruber, Herring, and Saunders, Messrs. Jones and Searcy and Ms. Rimel became members of the Board on May 5, 2006 and received no compensation from the Funds during the relevant periods. Mr. Schwarzer became a member of the Board on May 5, 2006, is an interested person of the Fund and received no compensation from the Fund or any fund in the DWS fund complex during the relevant periods.
Total Compensation Aggregate Compensation from Fund and Name of Board Member from Fund DWS Fund Complex(1) - -------------------- --------- ------------------- Henry P. Becton, Jr.(3)(4) $1,990 $164,000 Dawn-Marie Driscoll(2)(3)(4)(5) $3,105 $203,829 Keith R. Fox(3)(4)(5) $2,202 $184,829 Kenneth C. Froewiss(3)(5)(6) $510 $129,687 Martin J. Gruber(7)(9) $0 $135,000 Richard J. Herring(7)(8)(9) $0 $136,000 Graham E. Jones(7)(9) $0 $144,000 Rebecca W. Rimel(7)(8)(9) $0 $146,280 Philip Saunders, Jr.(7)(9) $0 $145,000 William N. Searcy, Jr.(7)(9) $0 $150,500 Jean Gleason Stromberg(3)(4)(5) $2,126 $178,549 Carl W. Vogt(3)(4)(5) $1,959 $162,049
(1) The DWS Fund Complex is composed of 167 funds. (2) Includes $19,000 in annual retainer fees in Ms. Driscoll's role as Chairman of the Board. (3) For each Board Member, except Mr. Froewiss, total compensation includes compensation for service on the boards of 20 trusts/corporations comprised of 43 funds/portfolios. For Mr. Froewiss total compensation includes compensation for service on the boards of 20 trusts/corporations comprised of 48 funds/portfolios. (4) Aggregate compensation reflects amounts paid to the Board Members for special meetings of ad hoc committees of the board in connection with the possible consolidation of the various DWS Fund boards and funds, meetings for considering fund expense simplification, and other legal and regulatory matters. Such amounts totaled $5,500 for Mr. Becton, $26,280 for Ms. Driscoll, $25,280 for Mr. Fox, $18,000 for Ms. Stromberg and $3,500 for Mr. Vogt. These meeting fees were borne by the applicable DWS Funds. (5) Aggregate compensation also reflects amounts paid to the Board Members for special meetings of the Board in connection with reviewing the funds' rebranding initiatives to change to the DWS Family of Funds. Such amounts totaled $1,000 for Ms. Driscoll, $1,000 for Mr. Fox, $1,000 for Mr. Froewiss, $1,000 for Ms. Stromberg and $1,000 for Mr. Vogt. The funds were reimbursed for these meeting fees by Deutsche Asset Management. 77 (6) Mr. Froewiss was appointed to the previous board on September 15, 2005. His compensation includes fees received as a member of five DWS closed-end funds in 2005, for which he served on the board. (7) During calendar year 2005, the total number of funds overseen by each Board Member was 55 funds. (8) Of the amounts payable to Ms. Rimel and Dr. Herring, $45,630 and $28,724, respectively, was deferred pursuant to a deferred compensation plan. (9) Aggregate compensation reflects amounts paid to the Board Members for special meetings of ad hoc committees of the previous board in connection with the possible consolidation of the various DWS Fund boards and funds, meetings for considering fund expense simplification, and other legal and regulatory matters. Such amounts totaled $3,000 for Dr. Gruber, $2,000 for Dr. Herring, $10,000 for Mr. Jones, $12,280 for Ms. Rimel, $13,000 for Dr. Saunders and $16,500 for Mr. Searcy. These meeting fees were borne by the applicable funds. Any Board Member who receives fees from the Fund is permitted to defer 50% to 100% of his or her annual compensation pursuant to a Deferred Compensation Plan. Messrs. Herring, Saunders and Ms. Rimel have each executed a Deferred Compensation Agreement. Currently, the deferring Board Members may select from among certain funds in the DWS Family of Funds in which all or part of their deferral account shall be deemed to be invested. Distributions from the deferring Board Members' deferral accounts will be paid in cash, in generally equal quarterly installments over a period of ten years. Board Member Ownership in the Fund(1) The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Board Member in the Fund and DWS Fund Complex as of December 31, 2005.
Dollar Range of Beneficial Aggregate Dollar Range of Ownership Ownership in all Funds Overseen by in DWS Large Company Growth Board Member Board Member Fund in the DWS Fund Complex(2) - ------------ ---- -------------------------- Independent Board Member: - ------------------------- Henry P. Becton, Jr. $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 Dawn-Marie Driscoll $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Keith R. Fox None Over $100,000 Kenneth C. Froewiss None Over $100,000 Martin J. Gruber None Over $100,000 Richard J. Herring None Over $100,000 Graham E. Jones None Over $100,000 Rebecca W. Rimel None Over $100,000 Philip Saunders, Jr. None Over $100,000 William N. Searcy, Jr. None Over $100,000 Jean Gleason Stromberg None Over $100,000 Carl W. Vogt None Over $100,000 Interested Board Member: - ------------------------ Axel Schwarzer None None(3)
(1) The amount shown includes share equivalents of funds which the Board Member is deemed to be invested pursuant to the Fund's deferred compensation plan. The inclusion therein of any shares deemed beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of the shares. 78 (2) Securities beneficially owned as defined under the 1934 Act include direct and/or indirect ownership of securities where the Board Member's economic interest is tied to the securities, employment ownership and securities when the Board Member can exert voting power and when the Board Member has authority to sell the securities. The dollar ranges are: None, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, over $100,000. (3) Mr. Schwarzer as a non-US citizen does not own US registered funds but does own over $100,00 of DWS Funds registered outside the US. Ownership in Securities of the Advisor and Related Companies As reported to the Fund, the information in the following table reflects ownership by the Independent Board Members and their immediate family members of certain securities as of December 31, 2005. An immediate family member can be a spouse, children residing in the same household including step and adoptive children and any dependents. The securities represent ownership in an investment advisor or principal underwriter of the Fund and any persons (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment advisor or principal underwriter of the Fund (including Deutsche Bank AG).
Value of Percent of Owner and Securities on Class on an Independent Relationship to Title of an Aggregate Aggregate Board Member Board Member Company Class Basis Basis - ------------ ------------ ------- ----- ----- ----- Henry P. Becton, Jr. Dawn-Marie Driscoll Keith R. Fox Kenneth C. Froewiss Martin J. Gruber Richard J. Herring Graham E. Jones Rebecca W. Rimel Philip Saunders, Jr. William N. Searcy, Jr. Jean Gleason Stromberg Carl W. Vogt
Securities Beneficially Owned As of [Date with 30 days of filing], the Board Members and officers of the Trust owned, as a group, less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. To the best of the Fund's knowledge, as of [Date within 30 days of filing], no person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of the Fund's outstanding shares [,except as noted below]. Agreement to Advance Certain Independent Trustee Expenses In connection with litigation or regulatory action related to possible improper market timing or other improper trading activity or possible improper marketing and sales activity in the Fund, DeIM has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund against any and all loss, damage, liability and expense, arising from market timing or marketing and sales matters alleged in any enforcement actions brought by governmental authorities involving or potentially affecting DeIM ("Enforcement Actions") or that are the basis for private actions brought by shareholders of the Fund against the Fund, their directors and officers, DeIM and/or certain other parties ("Private Litigation"), or any proceedings or actions that may be threatened or commenced in the future by any person (including governmental authorities), arising from or similar to the matters alleged in the Enforcement Actions or Private Litigation. In recognition of its undertaking to indemnify the Fund and in light of the rebuttable 79 presumption generally afforded to independent directors/trustees of investment companies that they have not engaged in disabling conduct, DeIM has also agreed to indemnify the Independent Trustees against certain liabilities the Independent Trustees may incur from the matters alleged in any Enforcement Actions or Private Litigation or arising from or similar to the matters alleged in the Enforcement Actions or Private Litigation, and advance expenses that may be incurred by the Independent Trustees in connection with any Enforcement Actions or Private Litigation. DeIM is not, however, required to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses: (1) with respect to any proceeding or action which the Fund's Board determines that the Independent Trustee ultimately would not be entitled to indemnification or (2) for any liability of the Independent Trustee to the Fund or their shareholders to which the Independent Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Independent Trustee's duties as a trustee of the Fund as determined in a final adjudication in such action or proceeding. The estimated amount of any expenses that may be advanced to the Independent Trustees or indemnity that may be payable under the indemnity agreements is currently unknown. This undertaking by DeIM will survive the termination of the investment management agreements between DeIM and the Fund. TRUST ORGANIZATION Organizational Description. The Fund is a series of DWS Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust established under a Declaration of Trust dated September 20, 1984, as amended. The name of the Trust was changed, effective March 6, 1991 from Scudder Growth and Income Fund, and on June 10, 1998 from Scudder Investment Trust. The Trustees of the Trust have the authority to create additional funds and to designate the relative rights and preferences as between the different funds. The Trustees also may authorize the division of shares of the Fund into different classes, which may bear different expenses. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable, transferable, have no pre-emptive or conversion rights and are redeemable as described in the SAI and in the Fund's prospectus. Each share has equal rights with each other share of the same class of the Fund as to voting, dividends, exchanges, conversion features and liquidation. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. The Trustees may also terminate any fund or class by notice to the shareholders without shareholder approval. Currently, Class A, Class B, Class C, Class S, and Institutional Class Shares are offered by the Fund. The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws of Massachusetts and is governed by an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust that was approved by shareholders in the second quarter of 2006, as may be further amended from time to time (the "Declaration of Trust"). All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable, transferable, have no preemptive or conversion rights (except as may be determined by the Board of Trustees) and are redeemable as described in the SAI and the Fund's prospectus. Each share has equal rights with each other share of the same class of the Fund as to voting, dividends, exchanges, conversion features and liquidation. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. The Fund generally is not required to hold meetings of its shareholders. Under the Declaration of Trust, however, shareholder meetings will be held in connection with the following matters to the extent and as provided in the Declaration of Trust and as required by applicable law: (a) the election or removal of trustees if a meeting is called for such purpose; (b) the termination of the Trust or a Fund; (c) an amendment of the Declaration of Trust; (d) to the same extent as stockholders of Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claims should or should not be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders; (e) a merger, consolidation or sale of assets; (f) the adoption of an investment advisory or management contract; (g) the incorporation of the Trust or any series; (h) any plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (or any successor rule) under the 1940 Act; and (i) such additional matters as may be required by law, the Declaration of Trust, the By-laws of the Fund, or any registration of a Fund with the SEC, or as the Trustees may determine to be necessary or desirable. Shareholders also vote upon changes in fundamental policies or restrictions. 80 The Declaration of Trust provides that shareholder meeting quorum requirements shall be established in the Trust's By-laws. The By-laws currently in effect provide that the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of thirty percent of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting (or of an individual series or class if required to vote separately) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at meetings of shareholders of the Trust. On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, all shares of the Trust entitled to vote shall, except as otherwise provided in the Trust's By-Laws, be voted in the aggregate as a single class without regard to series or classes of shares, except (a) when required by applicable law or when the Trustees shall have determined that the matter affects one or more series or classes of shares materially differently, shares shall be voted by individual series or class; and (b) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects only the interests of one or more series or classes, only shareholders of such series or classes shall be entitled to vote thereon. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Board of Trustees may, in its discretion, establish minimum investment amounts for shareholder accounts, impose fees on accounts that do not exceed a minimum investment amount and involuntarily redeem shares in any such account in payment of such fees. The Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, also may cause the Trust to redeem all of the shares of the Trust or one or more series or classes held by any shareholder for any reason, to the extent permissible by the 1940 Act, including (a) if the shareholder owns shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than a specified minimum amount, (b) if a particular shareholder's ownership of shares would disqualify a series from being a regulated investment company, (c) upon a shareholder's failure to provide sufficient identification to permit the Trust to verify the shareholder's identity, (d) upon a shareholder's failure to pay for shares or meet or maintain the qualifications for ownership of a particular class or series of shares, (e) if the Board of Trustees determines (or pursuant to policies established by the Board it is determined) that share ownership by a particular shareholder is not in the best interests of remaining shareholders, (f) when the Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority or applicable law and (g) upon a shareholder's failure to comply with a request for information with respect to the direct or indirect ownership of shares of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust also authorizes the Board of Trustees to terminate the Fund or any class without shareholder approval, and the Trust may suspend the right of shareholders to require the Trust to redeem shares to the extent permissible under the 1940 Act. Upon the termination of the Trust or any series, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities which may include the establishment of a liquidating trust or similar vehicle, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may distribute the remaining Trust property or property of the series, in cash or in kind or partly each, to the shareholders of the Trust or the series involved, ratably according to the number of shares of the Trust or such series held by the several shareholders of the Trust or such series on the date of termination, except to the extent otherwise required or permitted by the preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of any classes of shares of a series involved, provided that any distribution to the shareholders of a particular class of shares shall be made to such shareholders pro rata in proportion to the number of shares of such class held by each of them. The composition of any such distribution (e.g., cash, securities or other assets) shall be determined by the Trust in its sole discretion, and may be different among shareholders (including differences among shareholders in the same series or class). Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for obligations of a Fund. The Declaration of Trust, however, disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the Fund's trustees. Moreover, the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of Fund property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund and the Fund may be covered by insurance which the Trustees consider adequate to cover Foreseeable tort claims. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is considered by the Advisor remote and not material, since it is limited to circumstances in which a disclaimer is inoperative and the Fund itself is unable to meet its obligations.. Foreseeable tort claims. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is considered by the Advisor remote and not material, since it is limited to circumstances in which a disclaimer is inoperative and the Fund itself is unable to meet its obligations. 81 PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES The funds have delegated proxy voting responsibilities to the Advisor, subject to the Board's general oversight. The funds have delegated proxy voting to the Advisor with the direction that proxies should be voted consistent with the funds' best economic interests. The Advisor has adopted its own Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ("Policies"), and Proxy Voting Guidelines ("Guidelines") for this purpose. The Policies address, among other things, conflicts of interest that may arise between the interests of the funds, and the interests of the Advisor and its affiliates, including 82 the funds' principal underwriter. The Guidelines set forth the Advisor's general position on various proposals, such as: o Shareholder Rights -- The Advisor generally votes against proposals that restrict shareholder rights. o Corporate Governance -- The Advisor generally votes for confidential and cumulative voting and against supermajority voting requirements for charter and bylaw amendments. The Advisor generally votes for proposals to restrict a chief executive officer from serving on more than three outside boards of directors. The Advisor generally votes against proposals that require a company to appoint a Chairman who is an independent director. o Anti-Takeover Matters -- The Advisor generally votes for proposals that require shareholder ratification of poison pills or that request boards to redeem poison pills, and votes against the adoption of poison pills if they are submitted for shareholder ratification. The Advisor generally votes for fair price proposals. o Compensation Matters -- The Advisor generally votes for executive cash compensation proposals, unless they are unreasonably excessive. The Advisor generally votes against stock option plans that do not meet the Advisor's criteria. o Routine Matters -- The Advisor generally votes for the ratification of auditors, procedural matters related to the annual meeting and changes in company name, and against bundled proposals and adjournment. The general provisions described above do not apply to investment companies. The Advisor generally votes proxies solicited by investment companies in accordance with the recommendations of an independent third party, except for proxies solicited by or with respect to investment companies for which the Advisor or an affiliate serves as investment advisor or principal underwriter ("affiliated investment companies"). The Advisor votes affiliated investment company proxies in the same proportion as the vote of the investment company's other shareholders (sometimes called "mirror" or "echo" voting). Master fund proxies solicited from feeder funds are voted in accordance with applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Although the Guidelines set forth the Advisor's general voting positions on various proposals, the Advisor may, consistent with the funds' best interests, determine under some circumstances to vote contrary to those positions. The Guidelines on a particular issue may or may not reflect the view of individual members of the Board or of a majority of the Board. In addition, the Guidelines may reflect a voting position that differs from the actual practices of the public companies within the Deutsche Bank organization or of the investment companies for which the Advisor or an affiliate serves as investment advisor or sponsor. The Advisor may consider the views of a portfolio company's management in deciding how to vote a proxy or in establishing general voting positions for the Guidelines, but management's views are not determinative. As mentioned above, the Policies describe the way in which the Advisor resolves conflicts of interest. To resolve conflicts, the Advisor, under normal circumstances, votes proxies in accordance with its Guidelines. If the Advisor departs from the Guidelines with respect to a particular proxy or if the Guidelines do not specifically address a certain proxy proposal, a proxy voting committee established by the Advisor will vote the proxy. Before voting any such proxy, however, the Advisor's conflicts review committee will conduct an investigation to determine whether any potential conflicts of interest exist in connection with the particular proxy proposal. If the conflicts review committee determines that the Advisor has a material conflict of interest, or certain individuals on the proxy voting committee should be recused from participating in a particular proxy vote, it will inform the proxy voting committee. If notified that the Advisor has a material conflict, or fewer than three voting members are eligible to participate in the proxy vote, typically the Advisor will engage an independent third party to vote the proxy or follow the proxy voting recommendations of an independent third party. 83 Under certain circumstances, the Advisor may not be able to vote proxies or the Advisor may find that the expected economic costs from voting outweigh the benefits associated with voting. For example, the Advisor may not vote proxies on certain foreign securities due to local restrictions or customs. The Advisor generally does not vote proxies on securities subject to share blocking restrictions. You may obtain information about how a fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission's Web site at www.sec.gov or by visiting our Web site at: www.dws-scudder.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page). FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The financial statements, including the portfolio of investments of DWS Large Company Growth Fund, together with the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Financial Highlights and notes to financial statements in the Annual Report to Shareholders of the Fund dated July 31, 2006, are incorporated herein by reference and are hereby deemed to be a part of this combined SAI. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The CUSIP number of DWS Large Company Growth Fund Class S is 23338J-772. DWS Large Company Growth Fund has a fiscal year end of July 31. On August 10, 1998, the Board of DWS Large Company Growth Fund changed the fund's fiscal year end to July 31 from October 31. The Fund's prospectus and this SAI omit certain information contained in the Registration Statement and its amendments which the Fund has filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement for further information with respect to the Fund and the securities offered hereby. This Registration Statement and its amendments are available for inspection by the public at the SEC in Washington D.C. 84 PART C. OTHER INFORMATION DWS INVESTMENT TRUST
Item 23. Exhibits - -------- -------- (a) (1) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated August 31, 2006 (Filed herein.) (2) Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest for DWS Capital Growth Fund (Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R, Class S and Institutional Class), DWS Growth & Income Fund (Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R, Class S and Institutional Class), DWS Large Company Growth Fund (Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R, Class S and Institutional Class), DWS S&P 500 Index Fund (Class A, Class B, Class C and Class S) and DWS Small Cap Core Fund (Class A, Class B, Class C and Class S). (Filed herein.) (b) (1) By-Laws of the Registrant dated June 27, 2006. (Filed herein.) (c) Inapplicable. (d) (1) Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of DWS Capital Growth Fund, DWS Growth & Income Fund, DWS Large Company Growth Fund, DWS Small Cap Core Fund and DWS S&P 500 Index Fund and Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., dated June 1, 2006 (July 1, 2006 for DWS S&P 500 Index Fund). (Filed herein.) (e) (1) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Scudder Distributors, Inc., dated September 30, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to the Registration Statement, as filed on April 30, 2003.) (2) Underwriting and Distribution Services Agreement between the Registrant and Scudder Distributors, Inc., dated April 5, 2002 with respect to Class A, B, C and I shares. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.144 to the Registration Statement as filed on April 29, 2004.) (f) Inapplicable. (g) (1) Subcustodian Agreement with fee schedule between State Street Bank and The Bank of New York, London office, dated December 31, 1978. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 1996.) 2 (2) Subcustodian Agreement between State Street Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. dated September 1, 1986. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 1996.) (3) Master Custodian Agreement dated April 13, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.150 to the Registration Statement as filed on January 31, 2005.) (h) (1) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with fee schedule between the Registrant and Scudder Service Corporation dated October 2, 1989. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 30, 1996.) (1)(a) Revised fee schedule dated October 6, 1995. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registration Statement as filed on June 24, 1996.) (1)(b) Form of revised fee schedule dated October 1, 1996. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 30, 1996.) (2) Agency Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of Scudder Growth and Income Fund Class R shares and Scudder Large Company Growth Fund Class R shares, and Kemper Service Company dated May 3, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 to the Registration Statement as filed on July 30, 1999.) (3) Agency Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of Scudder Capital Growth Fund, Scudder Dividend & Growth Fund, Scudder Growth and Income Fund, Scudder Large Company Growth Fund, and Scudder Small Company Stock Fund) and Kemper Service Company, dated November 13, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 29, 2000.) (4) Shareholder Services Agreement between the Registrant and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. dated June 1, 1990. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 30, 1996.) (5) Shareholder Services Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of Scudder Capital Growth Fund, Scudder Dividend & Growth Fund, Scudder Growth and Income Fund, Scudder Large Company Growth Fund, Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund, and Scudder Small Company Stock Fund) and Kemper Distributors, Inc., dated November 13, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 29, 2000.) 3 (6) Shareholder Services Agreement For Class A, Class B and Class C Shares between the Registrant and Scudder Distributors, Inc., dated April 5, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to the Registration Statement, as filed on April 30, 2003.) (7) Amendment No. 1 to the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement between the Registrant and Scudder Service Corporation, dated June 11, 2002. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to the Registration Statement, as filed on April 30, 2003.) (8) Contractual Expense Limitations effective October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.144 to the Registration Statement, as filed on April 29, 2004.) (9) Letter of Indemnity to the Scudder Funds dated October 13, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.155 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 1, 2005.) (10) Letter of Indemnity to the Scudder Funds dated October 13, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.155 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 1, 2005.) (11) Letter of Indemnity to the Independent Trustees dated October 13, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.155 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 1, 2005.) (12) Administrative Services Agreement between the Registrant and Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., on behalf of DWS Capital Growth Fund, DWS Growth & Income Fund, DWS Large Company Growth Fund, DWS Small Cap Core Fund and DWS S&P 500 Index Fund dated June 1, 2006 (July 1, 2006 for DWS S&P 500 Index Fund. (Filed herein.) (13) Amendment No. 2 to the Agency Agreement between the Registrant and DWS Scudder Investment Service Company dated February 7, 2006. (Filed herein.) (i) Legal Opinion and Consent of Counsel. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.144 to the Registration Statement, as filed on April 29, 2004.) (j) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. (Filed herein.) (k) Inapplicable. (l) Inapplicable. 4 (m) (1) Rule 12b-1 Plan between the Registrant, on behalf of Scudder Growth and Income Fund (Class R shares) and Scudder Large Company Growth Fund (Class R shares), and Scudder Investor Services, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to the Registration Statement, as filed on May 28, 1999.) (2) Rule 12b-1 Plan for Scudder Capital Growth Fund Class A, B and C Shares, dated December 29, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 29, 2000.) (3) Rule 12b-1 Plan for Scudder Growth and Income Fund Class B and C Shares, dated December 29, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 29, 2000.) (4) Rule 12b-1 Plan for Scudder Large Company Growth Fund Class B and C Shares, dated December 29, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 29, 2000.) (5) Rule 12b-1 Plan for Scudder Small Company Stock Fund Class A, B and C Shares, dated December 29, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 29, 2000.) (6) Rule 12b-1 Plan for Scudder Capital Growth Fund Class R Shares, dated October 1, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registration Statement, as filed on October 1, 2003.) (7) Rule 12b-1 Plan for Scudder Growth and Income Fund Class R Shares, dated October 1, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registration Statement, as filed on October 1, 2003.) (8) Rule 12b-1 Plan for Scudder Large Company Growth Fund Class R Shares, dated October 1, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registration Statement, as filed on October 1, 2003.) (9) Rule 12b-1 Plan for Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund Class A, B and C Shares, dated December 14, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registration Statement, as filed on February 15, 2005.) (n) (1) Mutual Funds Multi-Distribution System Plan, Rule 18f-3 Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to the Registration Statement as filed on April 15, 1998.) 5 (2) Plan with respect to Scudder Growth and Income Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to the Registration Statement, as filed on May 28, 1999.) (3) Plan with respect to Scudder Large Company Growth Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to the Registration Statement, as filed on May 28, 1999.) (4) Plan with respect to Scudder Capital Growth Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement, as filed on July 14, 2000.) (5) Plan with respect to Scudder Growth and Income Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement, as filed on July 14, 2000.) (6) Plan with respect to Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement, as filed on July 14, 2000.) (7) Plan with respect to Scudder Small Company Stock Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement, as filed on July 14, 2000.) (8) Amended and Restated Plan with respect to Scudder Capital Growth Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement, as filed on July 14, 2000.) (9) Amended and Restated Plan with respect to Scudder Growth and Income Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement, as filed on July 14, 2000.) (10) Amended and Restated Plan with respect to Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement, as filed on July 14, 2000.) (11) Amended and Restated Plan with respect to Scudder Small Company Stock Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement, as filed on July 14, 2000.) (12) Amended and Restated Plan with respect to Scudder Large Company Growth Fund pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to the Registration Statement as filed on September 29, 2000.) 6 (13) Amended and Restated Plan with respect to Investment Trust pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registration Statement, as filed on December 29, 2000.) (14) Amended and Restated Multi-Distribution System Plan with respect to Investment Trust pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to the Registration Statement, as filed on April 30, 2003.) (15) Amended and Restated Multi-Distribution System Plan with respect to Investment Trust, dated October 1, 2003, pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registration Statement, as filed on October 1, 2003.) (16) Amended and Restated Multi-Distribution System Plan with respect to Investment Trust, dated January 31, 2003, pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.144 to the Registration Statement as filed on April 29, 2004.) (p) (1) Code of Ethics for Deutsche Asset Management - U.S., effective January 1, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.150 to the Registration Statement as filed on January 31, 2005.) (2) Consolidated Fund Code of Ethics (All Funds) dated March 14, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.158 to the Registration Statement as filed on April 28, 2006.) (3) The Code of Ethics of Northern Trust Investments, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.158 to the Registration Statement as filed on April 28, 2006.) (q) Power of Attorney. (Filed herein.)
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Fund - -------- ------------------------------------------------------- None Item 25. Indemnification - -------- --------------- Article IV of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust (Exhibit (a)(16 ) hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference) provides in effect that the Registrant will indemnify its officers and trustees under certain circumstances. However, in accordance with Section 17(h) and 17(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and its own terms, said Article of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust does not protect any person against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders to which such Trustee 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 or her office. 7 The Registrant has purchased insurance policies insuring its officers and trustees against certain liabilities which such officers and trustees may incur while acting in such capacities and providing reimbursement to the Registrant for sums which it may be permitted or required to pay to its officers and trustees by way of indemnification against such liabilities, subject to certain deductibles. On April 5, 2002, Zurich Scudder Investments, Inc. ("Scudder"), the investment adviser, now known as Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., was acquired by Deutsche Bank AG, not including certain U.K. Operations (the "Transaction"). In connection with the Trustees' evaluation of the Transaction, Deutsche Bank agreed to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Registrant and the trustees who were not "interested persons" of Scudder, Deutsche Bank or Registrant (the "Independent Trustees") for and against any liability and claims and expenses based upon or arising from, whether in whole or in part, or directly or indirectly, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact made to the Independent Trustees by Deutsche Bank in connection with the Independent Trustees' consideration of the Transaction, or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact necessary in order to make statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (hereafter, "DeIM"), the investment advisor, has agreed, subject to applicable law and regulation, to indemnify and hold harmless the Registrant against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including, without limitation, the advancement and payment, as incurred, of reasonable fees and expenses of counsel (including counsel to the Registrant and counsel to the Independent Trustees) and consultants, whether retained by the Registrant or the Independent Trustees, and other customary costs and expenses incurred by the Registrant in connection with any litigation or regulatory action related to possible improper market timing or other improper trading activity or possible improper marketing and sales activity in the Registrant ("Private Litigation and Enforcement Actions"). In the event that this indemnification is unavailable to the Registrant for any reason, then DeIM has agreed to contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Registrant as a result of any loss, damage, liability or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of DeIM and the Registrant with respect to the matters which resulted in such loss, damage, liability or expense, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, that if no final determination is made in such action or proceeding as to the relative fault of DeIM and the Registrant, then DeIM shall pay the entire amount of such loss, damage, liability or expense. In recognition of its undertaking to indemnify the Registrant, and in light of the rebuttable presumption generally afforded to non-interested board members of an investment company that they have not engaged in disabling conduct, DeIM has also agreed, subject to applicable law and regulation, to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Independent Trustees against any and all loss, damage, liability and expense, including without limitation the advancement and payment as incurred of reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and consultants, and other customary costs and expenses incurred by the Independent Trustees, arising from the matters alleged in any Private Litigation and Enforcement Actions or matters arising from or similar in subject matter to the matters alleged in the Private Litigation and Enforcement Actions (collectively, "Covered Matters"), including without limitation: 1. all reasonable legal and other expenses incurred by the Independent Trustees in connection with the Private Litigation and Enforcement Actions, and any actions that may be threatened or commenced in the future by any person (including any governmental authority), arising from or similar to the matters alleged in the Private Litigation and Enforcement Actions, including without limitation expenses related to the defense of, service as a witness in, or monitoring of such proceedings or actions; 2. all liabilities and reasonable legal and other expenses incurred by any Independent Trustee in connection with any judgment resulting from, or settlement of, any such proceeding, action or matter; 8 3. any loss or reasonable legal and other expenses incurred by any Independent Trustee as a result of the denial of, or dispute about, any insurance claim under, or actual or purported rescission or termination of, any policy of insurance arranged by DeIM (or by a representative of DeIM acting as such, acting as a representative of the Registrant or of the Independent Trustees or acting otherwise) for the benefit of the Independent Trustee, to the extent that such denial, dispute or rescission is based in whole or in part upon any alleged misrepresentation made in the application for such policy or any other alleged improper conduct on the part of DeIM, any of its corporate affiliates, or any of their directors, officers or employees; 4. any loss or reasonable legal and other expenses incurred by any Independent Trustee, whether or not such loss or expense is incurred with respect to a Covered Matter, which is otherwise covered under the terms of any specified policy of insurance, but for which the Independent Trustee is unable to obtain advancement of expenses or indemnification under that policy of insurance, due to the exhaustion of policy limits which is due in whole or in part to DeIM or any affiliate thereof having received advancement of expenses or indemnification under that policy for or with respect to any Covered Matter; provided, that the total amount that DeIM will be obligated to pay under this provision for all loss or expense shall not exceed the amount that DeIM and any of its affiliates actually receive under that policy of insurance for or with respect to any and all Covered Matters; and 5. all liabilities and reasonable legal and other expenses incurred by any Independent Trustee in connection with any proceeding or action to enforce his or her rights under the agreement, unless DeIM prevails on the merits of any such dispute in a final, nonappealable court order. DeIM is not required to pay costs or expenses or provide indemnification to or for any individual Independent Trustee (i) with respect to any particular proceeding or action as to which the Board of the Registrant has determined that such Independent Trustee ultimately would not be entitled to indemnification with respect thereto, or (ii) for any liability of the Independent Trustee to the Registrant or its shareholders to which such Independent Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the Independent Trustee's duties as a Trustee of the Registrant as determined in a final adjudication in such proceeding or action. In addition, to the extent that DeIM has paid costs or expenses under the agreement to any individual Independent Trustee with respect to a particular proceeding or action, and there is a final adjudication in such proceeding or action of the Independent Trustee's liability to the Registrant or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the Independent Trustee's duties as a Trustee of the Registrant, such Independent Trustee has undertaken to repay such costs or expenses to DeIM. Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor - -------- ---------------------------------------------------- During the last two fiscal years, no director or officer of Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., the investment advisor, has engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature other than that of the business of investment management and, through affiliates, investment banking. Item 27. Principal Underwriters - -------- ---------------------- (a) DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. acts as principal underwriter of the Registrant's shares and acts as principal underwriter for registered open-end management investment companies other funds managed 9 by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., Deutsche Asset Management Inc. and Investment Company Capital Corp. (b) Information on the officers and directors of DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc., principal underwriter for the Registrant, is set forth below. The principal business address is 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
(1) (2) (3) DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. Name and Principal Positions and Offices with Positions and Business Address DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. Offices with Registrant ---------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------- Philipp Hensler Director, Chairman of the Board and CEO None 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 Michael Colon Director and Chief Operating Officer None 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 Thomas Winnick Director and President None 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 Cliff Goldstein Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer None 60 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 Robert Froehlich Vice President None 222 South Riverside Plaza Chicago, IL 60606 Paul Schubert Vice President Chief Financial Officer 345 Park Avenue and Treasurer New York, NY 10154 Mark Perrelli Vice President None 222 South Riverside Plaza Chicago, IL 60606 Donna White Chief Compliance Officer None 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 John Robbins Vice President and AML Compliance AML Compliance Officer 345 Park Avenue Officer New York, NY 10154 10 DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. Name and Principal Positions and Offices with Positions and Business Address DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc. Offices with Registrant ---------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------- Caroline Pearson Secretary Assistant Secretary Two International Place Boston, MA 02110 Philip J. Collora Assistant Secretary None 222 South Riverside Plaza Chicago, IL 60606 Anjie LaRocca Assistant Secretary None 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154
(c) Not applicable Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records - -------- -------------------------------- Certain accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder are maintained by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110-4103 and Northern Trust Investments, N.A., 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60675. Records relating to the duties of the Registrant's custodian are maintained by State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Records relating to the duties of the Registrant's transfer agents are maintained by DWS Scudder Service Corporation, Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-4103, DWS Scudder Investments Service Company, 210 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1614, or DST Systems, Inc., the sub-transfer agent, at 127 West 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105. Item 29. Management Services - ------- --------------------- Inapplicable. Item 30. Undertakings - -------- ------------ Inapplicable. 11 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 amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of New York and the State of New York on the 22nd day of November, 2006. DWS INVESTMENT TRUST By: /s/ Michael G. Clark -------------------- Michael G. Clark President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE /s/ Michael G. Clark ------------------------------------- Michael G. Clark President November 22, 2006 /s/ Paul H. Schubert ------------------------------------- Paul H. Schubert Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer November 22, 2006 /s/ Henry P. Becton, Jr. ------------------------------------- Henry P. Becton, Jr.* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ Dawn-Marie Driscoll ------------------------------------- Dawn-Marie Driscoll* Chairperson and Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ Keith R. Fox ------------------------------------- Keith R. Fox* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ Kenneth C. Froewiss ------------------------------------- Kenneth C. Froewiss* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ Martin J. Gruber ------------------------------------- Martin J. Gruber* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ Richard J. Herring ------------------------------------- Richard J. Herring* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ Graham E. Jones ------------------------------------- Graham E. Jones* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ Rebecca W. Rimel ------------------------------------- Rebecca W. Rimel* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ Philip Saunders, Jr. ------------------------------------- Philip Saunders, Jr.* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ William N. Searcy, Jr. ------------------------------------- William N. Searcy, Jr.* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/Jean Gleason Stromberg ------------------------------------- Jean Gleason Stromberg* Trustee November 22, 2006 SIGNATURE TITLE DATE /s/ Axel Schwarzer ------------------------------------- Axel Schwarzer* Trustee November 22, 2006 /s/ Carl W. Vogt ------------------------------------- Carl W. Vogt* Trustee November 22, 2006
*By: /s/ Caroline Pearson -------------------- Caroline Pearson** Assistant Secretary ** Attorney-in-fact pursuant to the powers of attorney as filed herein. 2 File No. 2-13628 File No. 811-43 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 EXHIBITS TO FORM N-1A POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 158 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND AMENDMENT NO. 108 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 DWS INVESTMENT TRUST 12 DWS INVESTMENT TRUST EXHIBIT INDEX (a)(1) (a)(2) (b)(1) (d)(1) (h)(12) (h)(13) (j) (q) 13
EX-99.A.1 2 exa1-inv.txt Exhibit (a)(1) DWS INVESTMENT TRUST AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST DATED AUGUST 31, 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ---- ARTICLE I NAME AND DEFINITIONS.........................................................................1 Section 1.1. Name.............................................................................1 Section 1.2. Definitions......................................................................1 ARTICLE II TRUSTEES....................................................................................3 Section 2.1. General Powers...................................................................3 Section 2.2. Certain Specific Powers..........................................................4 Section 2.3. Legal Title......................................................................6 Section 2.4. Issuance and Repurchase of Shares................................................6 Section 2.5. Delegation; Committees...........................................................6 Section 2.6. Collection and Payment...........................................................6 Section 2.7. Expenses.........................................................................7 Section 2.8. Manner of Acting.................................................................7 Section 2.9. By-Laws..........................................................................7 Section 2.10. Principal Transactions..........................................................7 Section 2.11. Number of Trustees..............................................................7 Section 2.12. Election and Term...............................................................7 Section 2.13. Resignation and Removal.........................................................8 Section 2.14. Vacancies.......................................................................8 ARTICLE III CONTRACTS..................................................................................9 Section 3.1. Distribution Contract; Transfer Agent; Shareholder Servicing Agent; Custodian.......................................................................9 Section 3.2. Advisory or Management Contract; Administration..................................9 Section 3.3. Affiliations of Trustees or Officers, Etc.......................................10 Section 3.4. Further Authority of Trustees...................................................10 Page ii ARTICLE IV LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS, TRUSTEES AND OTHERS..............................10 Section 4.1. No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, Etc. Generally.................10 Section 4.2. Non-Liability of Trustees, Etc. to Trust or Shareholders........................11 Section 4.3. Mandatory Indemnification.......................................................11 Section 4.4. No Bond Required of Trustees....................................................13 Section 4.5. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, Etc......................13 Section 4.6. Reliance on Experts, Etc........................................................14 Section 4.7. Derivative Actions..............................................................14 ARTICLE V SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST...............................................................14 Section 5.1. Beneficial Interest.............................................................14 Section 5.2. Rights of Shareholders..........................................................15 Section 5.3. Trust Only......................................................................15 Section 5.4. Issuance of Shares..............................................................15 Section 5.5. Ownership of Shares; Small Accounts.............................................15 Section 5.6. Disclosure of Holdings..........................................................16 Section 5.7. Notices; Reports................................................................16 Section 5.8. Voting Powers...................................................................16 Section 5.9. Meetings of Shareholders; Action by Written Consent.............................17 Section 5.10. Series.........................................................................17 Section 5.11. Classes........................................................................19 Section 5.12. Establishment and Designation of Series and Classes............................19 ARTICLE VI REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES........................................................19 Section 6.1. Redemption of Shares............................................................20 Section 6.2. Price...........................................................................20 Section 6.3. Payment.........................................................................20 Section 6.4. Redemption of Shareholder's Interest............................................20 Section 6.5. Reductions in Number of Outstanding Shares Pursuant to Net Asset Value Formula..21 Section 6.6. Suspension of Right of Redemption...............................................21 ARTICLE VII DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, NET INCOME AND DISTRIBUTIONS............................21 Page iii Section 7.1. Determination of Net Asset Value................................................21 Section 7.2. Distributions to Shareholders...................................................21 Section 7.3. Constant Net Asset Value........................................................22 Section 7.4. Reserves........................................................................22 Section 7.5. Determination by Trustees.......................................................22 ARTICLE VIII DURATION; TERMINATION OF TRUST; AMENDMENT; MERGERS, ETC..................................22 Section 8.1. Duration........................................................................22 Section 8.2. Termination of Trust............................................................23 Section 8.3. Amendment Procedure.............................................................23 Section 8.4. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets........................................24 ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS..............................................................................25 Section 9.1. Filing..........................................................................25 Section 9.2. Governing Law...................................................................25 Section 9.3. Counterparts and Headings.......................................................25 Section 9.4. Reliance by Third Parties.......................................................25 Section 9.5. Provisions in Conflict with Law.................................................26
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST OF DWS INVESTMENT TRUST DATED AUGUST 31, 2006 THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST is made as of this 31st day of August, 2006 by the Trustees hereunder. WHEREAS, the DWS Investment Trust was established pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated September 20, 1984 (as amended to the date hereof, the "Original Declaration") for the purposes of carrying on the business of a management investment company; WHEREAS, the Trustees, pursuant to Section 8.3, Article VIII of the Original Declaration, may amend this Declaration with the vote or consent of the Shareholders as required by such Section; WHEREAS, this Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust has been amended in accordance with the provisions of the Original Declaration in effect as of the date hereof; WHEREAS, the Trustees and any successor Trustees elected in accordance with Article II hereof are acquiring and may hereafter acquire assets and properties which they will hold and manage as trustees of a Massachusetts business trust in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth; WHEREAS, the Trustees declare that they will hold all cash, securities and other assets and properties, which they may from time to time acquire in any manner as Trustees hereunder, IN TRUST, and that they will manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions for the benefit of the holders from time to time of shares of beneficial interest in this Trust as hereinafter set forth. ARTICLE I NAME AND DEFINITIONS Section 1.1. Name. The name of the trust created hereby is the "DWS Investment Trust" and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine. Section 1.2. Definitions. Wherever they are used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided, the following terms have the following respective meanings: Page 2 (a) "By-Laws" means the By-Laws referred to in Section 2.9 hereof, as from time to time amended. (b) "Class" means the two or more Classes as may be established and designated from time to time by the Trustees pursuant to Section 5.12 hereof. (c) The terms "Commission" and "Interested Person" shall have the same meanings given to such terms in the 1940 Act. The term "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" shall have the same meaning given to it in the 1940 Act. (d) "Declaration" means this Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust as further amended from time to time. Reference in this Declaration of Trust to "Declaration," "hereof," "herein," and "hereunder" shall be deemed to refer to this Declaration rather than exclusively to the article or section in which such words appear. (e) "His" shall include the feminine and neuter, as well as the masculine, genders. (f) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (and any successor statute) as the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time, may apply to the Trust or any Series or Class thereof including pursuant to any exemptive or similar relief issued by the Commission or the Staff of the Commission under such Act. In construing the 1940 Act, the Trustees and officers of the Trust may, to the extent deemed appropriate, rely on interpretations of the 1940 Act issued by the Commission or the Staff thereof. (g) "Outstanding Shares" means those Shares shown from time to time on the books of the Trust or its transfer agent as then issued and outstanding, but shall not include Shares which have been redeemed or repurchased by the Trust. (h) "Person" means and includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, associations, joint ventures and other entities, whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof. (i) "Series" individually or collectively means the two or more Series as may be established and designated from time to time by the Trustees pursuant to Section 5.12 hereof. (j) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Outstanding Shares. (k) "Shares" means the units of interest into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time, including the Shares of any and all Series and Classes which may be established and designated by the Trustees and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares. (l) The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business trust established by this Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time. Page 3 (m) The "Trust Property" means any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the Trust or the Trustees. (n) The "Trustees" means at any time the persons who have signed this Declaration, so long as they shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all persons who may at that time be duly qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions of Article II hereof and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such person or persons in this capacity or their capacities as Trustees hereunder. ARTICLE II TRUSTEES Section 2.1. General Powers. The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and business in their own right, but with full powers of delegation except as may otherwise be expressly prohibited by this Declaration. The Trustees shall have power to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations and maintain offices both within and without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and to do all such other things and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust. In construing the provisions of this Declaration, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees. Without limiting the foregoing the Trustees shall have power and authority to operate and carry on the business of an investment company and exercise all the powers as are necessary, convenient, appropriate, incidental or customary in connection therewith and may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by the trustees of a Massachusetts business trust. The enumeration of any specific power herein shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid general powers. Such powers of the Trustees may be exercised without order of or resort to any court. The Trustees may construe any of the provisions of this Declaration insofar as the same may appear to be ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions hereof, and any such construction hereof by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive as to the meaning to be given to such provisions. Any determination made by or pursuant to the direction of the Trustees in good faith and consistent with the provisions of this Declaration shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Trust, every holder at any time of Shares and any other interested party. Page 4 Section 2.2. Certain Specific Powers. (a) Investments. The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by present or future laws, rules, regulations, or customs in regard to trust investments, but shall have full authority and power to make, invest and reinvest in, to buy or otherwise acquire, to hold, for investment or otherwise, to borrow, to sell or otherwise dispose of, to lend or to pledge, to trade in or deal in any and all investments in which they, in their absolute discretion, deem proper to accomplish the purpose of the Trust. In furtherance of, and in no way limiting, the foregoing, the Trustees shall have power and authority: (i) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities; (ii) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either in their or the Trust's name or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or nominees; (iii) To exercise all rights, powers and privileges of ownership or interest in all securities, repurchase agreements, futures contracts and options and other assets included in the Trust Property, including the right to vote thereon and otherwise act with respect thereto and to do all acts for the preservation, protection, improvement and enhancement in value of all such assets; (iv) To acquire (by purchase, lease or otherwise) and to hold, use, maintain, develop and dispose of (by sale or otherwise) any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, including cash, and any interest therein; (v) To borrow money for any purpose and in this connection issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness; to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Trust Property; to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of any obligation or engagement of any other Person and to lend Trust Property; (vi) To aid by further investment any corporation, company, trust, association or firm, any obligation of or interest in which is included in the Trust Property or in the affairs of which the Trustees have any direct or indirect interest; to do all acts and things designed to protect, preserve, improve or enhance the value of such obligation or interest, and to guarantee or become surety on any or all of the contracts, stocks, bonds, notes, debentures and other obligations of any such corporation, company, trust, association or firm; (vii) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer, any security or property of which is held in the Trust; to Page 5 consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or issuer, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust; and (viii) To join with other security holders in acting through a committee, depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depositary or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper. (b) Additional Powers. The Trustees shall have the power: (i) To employ or contract with, or make payments to, such Persons as the Trustees may deem desirable for the transaction of the business of the Trust; (ii) To enter into joint ventures, partnerships and any other combinations or associations; (iii) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents or employees as they consider appropriate; (iv) To purchase, and pay for out of Trust Property, (A) insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers, distributors, administrators, selected dealers or independent contractors of the Trust against all claims arising by reason of holding any such position or by reason of any action taken or omitted by any such Person in such capacity, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability, (B) insurance for the protection of Trust Property or (C) such other insurance as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable; (v) To establish pension, profit-sharing, share purchase, and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust; (vi) To the extent permitted by law, to indemnify any person with whom the Trust has dealings, including any investment adviser, distributor, administrator, custodian, transfer agent and selected dealers, to such extent as the Trustees shall determine; (vii) To guarantee indebtedness or contractual obligations of others; (viii) To determine and change the fiscal year of the Trust and the method by which its accounts shall be kept; Page 6 (ix) To adopt a seal for the Trust, but the absence of such seal shall not impair the validity of any instrument executed on behalf of the Trust; (x) To enter into a plan of distribution and any related agreements whereby the Trust may finance directly or indirectly any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares; and (xi) To carry on any other business in connection with or incidental to any of the powers enumerated in this Declaration, to do everything necessary, suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any purpose or the attainment of any object or the furtherance of any power herein set forth, either alone or in association with others, and to do every other act or thing incidental or appurtenant to or growing out of or connected with the aforesaid business or purposes, objects or powers. (c) The foregoing enumeration of the powers and authority of the Trustees shall be read as broadly and liberally as possible, it being the intent of the foregoing to in no way limit the Trustees' powers and authority. Section 2.3. Legal Title. Title to all of the assets of each Series of Shares and of the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trustees. Such title shall automatically vest at the time a person becomes a Trustee and shall automatically unvest at the time a person ceases to be a Trustee, in each case without the execution or delivery of any conveyancing instrument. Section 2.4. Issuance and Repurchase of Shares. The Trustees shall have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in Shares and in any options, warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or any other interests in the Trust other than Shares. Section 2.5. Delegation; Committees. The Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to one or more of their number or to officers, employees or agents of the Trust the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Trustees or otherwise as the Trustees may deem expedient, except to the extent such delegation is prohibited by the 1940 Act. Without limiting the foregoing, and notwithstanding any provisions herein to the contrary, the Trustees may by resolution appoint committees consisting of one or more, but less than the whole number of, Trustees then in office, which committees may be empowered to act for and bind the Trustees and the Trust, as if the acts of such committees were the acts of all the Trustees then in office. Section 2.6. Collection and Payment. The Trustees shall have power to collect all money or other property due to the Trust; to pay all claims, including taxes, against the Trust Property; to prosecute, defend, arbitrate, compromise or abandon any claims relating to the Trust Property but shall have no liability for failing to do so; to foreclose any security interest Page 7 securing any obligations, by virtue of which any money or other property is owed to the Trust; and to enter into releases, agreements and other instruments. Section 2.7. Expenses. The Trustees shall have the power to incur and pay any expenses which in the opinion of the Trustees are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of this Declaration, to pay reasonable compensation from the funds of the Trust to themselves as Trustees and to reimburse themselves from the funds of the Trust for their expenses and disbursements. The Trustees shall fix the compensation of all officers, employees and Trustees. Section 2.8. Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the By-Laws, any action to be taken by the Trustees may be taken by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting of Trustees (a quorum being present), including any meeting held by means of a conference telephone circuit or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, or by written consents of a majority of Trustees then in office. Except as set forth specifically in this Declaration, any action that may be taken by the Trustees may be taken by them without the vote or consent of Shareholders. Section 2.9. By-Laws. The Trustees may adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration to provide for the conduct of the business of the Trust and may amend or repeal such By-Laws to the extent such power is not reserved to the Shareholders. Section 2.10. Principal Transactions. Except in transactions not permitted by the 1940 Act, the Trustees may, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities from or sell any securities to, or lend any assets of the Trust to, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any investment adviser, distributor, administrator, custodian or transfer agent or with any Interested Person of such Person; and the Trust may employ any such Person, or firm or company in which such Person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent or custodian upon customary terms. Section 2.11. Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be determined from time to time by the Trustees then in office. No decrease in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term, but the number of Trustees may be decreased in conjunction with the removal of a Trustee pursuant to this Article II. Section 2.12. Election and Term. Except as provided in Section 2.13 below, each Trustee shall hold office until the next meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee or of a successor to such Trustee, and until his successor is elected and qualified. Any vacancy resulting from a newly created Trusteeship or the death, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of a Trustee may be filled by the affirmative vote or consent of a majority of the Trustees then in office, except as prohibited by the 1940 Act. Page 8 Section 2.13. Resignation and Removal. Any Trustee may resign (without the need for any prior or subsequent accounting, except as such accounting may be required by a majority of the remaining Trustees) by an instrument in writing signed by him and delivered or mailed to the Chairman, if any, the President or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of the instrument. Any Trustee who has attained a mandatory retirement age or term limit established pursuant to, or is otherwise required to retire in accordance with, any written policy adopted from time to time by the Trustees shall, automatically and without action of such Trustee or the remaining Trustees, be deemed to have retired in accordance with the terms of such policy, effective as of the date determined in accordance with such policy; and any Trustee who has become incapacitated by illness or injury as determined by a majority of the other Trustees, may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees. Any of the Trustees may be removed (provided the aggregate number of Trustees after such removal shall not be less than one) by the action of two-thirds of the remaining Trustees or by vote of Shareholders holding two thirds of the Outstanding Shares. The Trustees shall promptly call a meeting of the Shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any Trustee or Trustees when requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than ten percent of the Outstanding Shares, and in that connection, the Trustees will assist shareholder communications to the extent provided for in Section 16(c) under the 1940 Act. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement to which the Trust is a party or in a written policy adopted by the Trustees, no resigning or removed Trustee shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal. Section 2.14. Vacancies. The death, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity, of the Trustees, or any of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided herein, or the number of Trustees as determined is reduced, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees, and during the period during which any such vacancy shall occur, only the Trustees then in office shall be counted for the purposes of the existence of a quorum or any action to be taken by such Trustees. Page 9 ARTICLE III CONTRACTS Section 3.1. Distribution Contract; Transfer Agent; Shareholder Servicing Agent; Custodian. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into an exclusive or non-exclusive underwriting, distribution or placement contract or contracts providing for the sale of the Shares, whereby the Trustees may either agree to sell the Shares to the other party to the contract or appoint such other party as the Trust's sales agent for the Shares, and in either case on such terms and conditions, and providing for such compensation, as the Trustees may in their discretion determine; and such contract may also provide for the repurchase of the Shares by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more transfer agency and/or shareholder servicing contract(s), in each case with such terms and conditions, and providing for such compensation, as the Trustees may in their discretion deem advisable. All securities and cash of the Trust or any Series thereof shall be held pursuant to a written contract or contracts with one or more custodians and subcustodians, each meeting the requirements for a custodian contained in the 1940 Act, or shall otherwise be held in accordance with the 1940 Act. Section 3.2. Advisory or Management Contract; Administration. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into an investment advisory or management contract or separate contracts with respect to one or more Series whereby the other party to such contract shall undertake to furnish to the Trust such management, investment advisory, statistical and research facilities and services, proxy voting services and such other facilities and services, including administrative services, if any, and all upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation, as the Trustees may in their discretion determine, including the grant of authority to such other party to determine what securities shall be purchased or sold by the Trust or any Series and what portion of its assets shall be uninvested, which authority shall include the power to make changes in the investments of the Trust or any Series. The Trustees may also employ, or authorize the investment adviser or a sub-adviser to employ, one or more sub-advisers from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the investment adviser or sub-adviser and upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation as may be agreed upon between the investment adviser, the sub-adviser and/or such other sub-advisers and approved by the Trustees. Any reference in this Declaration to the investment adviser shall be deemed to include such sub-advisers unless the context otherwise requires. The Trustees may, in their discretion from time to time enter into administration and/or, fund accounting contract(s), in each case with such terms and conditions, and providing for such compensation, as the Trustees may in their discretion deem advisable. Page 10 Section 3.3. Affiliations of Trustees or Officers, Etc. The fact that: (i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees or officers of the Trust is a shareholder, director, officer, partner, member, trustee, employee, manager, adviser or distributor of or for any partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, association or other organization or of or for any parent or affiliate of any organization, with which a contract of the character described in Sections 3.1 or 3.2 above or for related services may have been or may hereafter be made, or that any such organization, or any parent or affiliate thereof, is a Shareholder of or has an interest in the Trust, or that (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, association or other organization with which a contract of the character described in Sections 3.1 or 3.2 above or for related services may have been or may hereafter be made also has any one or more of such contracts with one or more other partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, trusts, associations or other organizations, or has other business or interests, shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the same or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or its Shareholders. Section 3.4. Further Authority of Trustees. The authority of the Trustees hereunder to enter into contracts or other agreements or arrangements shall include the authority of the Trustees to modify, amend, waive any provision of, supplement, assign all or a portion of, or terminate such contracts, agreements or arrangements. The enumeration of any specific contracts in this Article III shall in no way be deemed to limit the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof to employ, contract with or make payments to such Persons as the Trustees may deem desirable for the transaction of the business of the Trust. ARTICLE IV LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS, TRUSTEES AND OTHERS Section 4.1. No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, Etc. Generally. No Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. No Trustee, former Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than to the Trust or its Shareholders (as set forth in Section 4.2 below), in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust; and all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. The Trust shall indemnify and hold each Shareholder or former Shareholder harmless from and against all claims and liabilities to which such Shareholder may become subject solely by Page 11 reason of his being or having been a Shareholder, and shall reimburse such Shareholder for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with any such claim or liability. The indemnification and reimbursement required by the preceding sentence shall be made only out of the assets of the one or more Series of which the Shareholder who is entitled to indemnification or reimbursement was a Shareholder at the time the act or event occurred which gave rise to the claim against or liability of said Shareholder. The rights accruing to a Shareholder under this Section 4.1 shall not impair any other right to which such Shareholder may be lawfully entitled, nor shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the Trust to indemnify or reimburse a Shareholder in any appropriate situation even though not specifically provided herein. Section 4.2. Non-Liability of Trustees, Etc. to Trust or Shareholders. No Trustee, former Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any Shareholder for any action or failure to act except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties involved in the conduct of his office. Without limiting the foregoing, a Trustee shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, employee, investment adviser, subadviser, principal underwriter, custodian or other agent of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible or liable for the act or omission of any other Trustee, except in the case of such Trustee's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. Section 4.3. Mandatory Indemnification. (a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph (b) below: (i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer of the Trust (for purposes of this Section, "Trustee or officer" shall include persons who serve at the Trust's request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against all liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee or officer, and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof; (ii) the words "claim," "action," "suit" or "proceeding" shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities. (b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Trustee or officer: (i) against any liability to the Trust or the Shareholders by reason of a final adjudication by a court or other body before which a proceeding was brought that he Page 12 engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office; (ii) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust; or (iii) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (b)(i) or (b)(ii)) (whether by compromise payment, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) resulting in a payment by a Trustee or officer, unless there has been a determination that such Trustee or officer acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Trust and is not liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office: (A) by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition; or (B) a reasonable determination, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), by: (x) a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or (y) written opinion of legal counsel chosen by a majority of the Trustees and determined by them in their reasonable judgment to be independent. (c) The rights of indemnification herein provided to any Trustee or officer shall be severable from those of any other Trustee or officer, shall not affect any other rights to which any Trustee or officer may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such Trustee or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators and assigns of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which any Trustee or officer or any other person may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law. (d) Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification described in paragraph (a) of this Section 4.3 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 4.3, provided that either: Page 13 (i) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or (ii) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification. As used in this Section 4.3, a "Disinterested Trustee" is one who is not (i) an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), or (ii) involved in the claim, action, suit or proceeding. In making any determination under this Section 4.3 as to whether a Trustee or officer engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that a Trustee or officer ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, the Disinterested Trustees or independent legal counsel making the determination shall afford the Trustee or officer a rebuttable presumption that the Trustee or officer has not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Trustee's or officer's office and has acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that the Trustee's or officer's action was in the best interest of the Trust or Series and its Shareholders. Any determination pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall not prevent the recovery from any Trustee or officer of any amount paid to such Trustee or officer in accordance with this Section as indemnification if such Trustee or officer is subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Trustee's or officer's action was in the best interests of the Trust or to have been liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Trustee's or officer's office. Section 4.4. No Bond Required of Trustees. No Trustee shall be obligated to give any bond or other security for the performance of any of his duties hereunder. Section 4.5. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, Etc. No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other Person dealing with the Trustees or any officer, or employee of the Trust shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trustees or by said officer or employee or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon its order. Every obligation, contract, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or undertaking, and every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively presumed to have been executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as Trustees under this Declaration or in their capacity as officers or employees of the Trust. All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or a particular Series shall look only to the assets of the Trust or the Page 14 assets of that particular Series for payment under such credit, contract or claim, and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor. Every written obligation, contract, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees or officers shall recite that the same is executed or made by them not individually, but as Trustees or officers under the Declaration, and that the obligations of the Trust under any such instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or Shareholders individually, but bind only the Trust estate, and may contain any further recital which they or he may deem appropriate, but the omission of any such recital shall not operate to bind the Trustees, officers or Shareholders individually. Section 4.6. Reliance on Experts, Etc. Each Trustee and officer or employee of the Trust shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully and completely justified and protected from liability with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Trust by any of its officers or employees or by any investment adviser, distributor, transfer agent, custodian, administrator, selected dealers, accountants, appraisers or other experts or consultants selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Trustee. The appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee as the chairperson of the Trustees, as a member or chairperson of a committee of the Trustees, an expert on any topic or in any area (including an audit committee financial expert), or the lead independent Trustee, or any other special appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee, shall not impose on that person any standard of care or liability that is greater than that imposed on that person as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation or identification, and no Trustee who has special skills or expertise, or is appointed, designated or identified as aforesaid, shall be held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof. In addition, no appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee as aforesaid shall effect in any way that Trustee's rights or entitlement to indemnification. Section 4.7. Derivative Actions. No Shareholder shall have the right to bring or maintain any court action, proceeding or claim on behalf of the Trust without first making demand on the Trustees requesting the Trustees to bring or maintain such action, proceeding or claim. Such demand shall be mailed to the Secretary or Clerk of the Trust at the Trust's principal office and shall set forth in reasonable detail the nature of the proposed court action, proceeding or claim and the essential facts relied upon by the Shareholder to support the allegations made in the demand. In their sole discretion, the Trustees may submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders of the Trust, as appropriate. ARTICLE V SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST Section 5.1. Beneficial Interest. The interest of the beneficiaries hereunder shall be divided into transferable Shares of beneficial interest, all of one class, except as provided Page 15 in Section 5.10 and Section 5.11 hereof, with or without par value. The number of Shares of beneficial interest authorized hereunder is unlimited. All Shares issued hereunder including, without limitation, Shares issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split of Shares, shall be fully paid and non-assessable. Section 5.2. Rights of Shareholders. The ownership of the Trust Property and the property of each Series of the Trust of every description and the right to conduct any business hereinbefore described are vested exclusively in the Trustees, and the Shareholders shall have no interest therein other than the beneficial interest conferred by their Shares, and they shall have no right to call for any partition or division of any property, profits, rights or interests of the Trust. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder, nor to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay, provided however that any sales loads or charges, creation or redemption fees, account fees or any other fees or charges permitted to be charged to Shareholders under applicable law shall not be deemed to be an assessment for the purposes of this Declaration. The Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth in this Declaration. The Shares shall not entitle the holder to preference, preemptive, appraisal, conversion or exchange rights, except as the Trustees may determine with respect to any Class of Shares in accordance with Section 5.11 hereof. Every Shareholder, by virtue of having become a shareholder, shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of this Declaration and to have become a party hereto. Section 5.3. Trust Only. It is the intention of the Trustees to create only the relationship of Trustee and beneficiary between the Trustees and each Shareholder from time to time. It is not the intention of the Trustees to create a general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint stock association, corporation, bailment or any form of legal relationship other than a trust. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock association. Section 5.4. Issuance of Shares. The Trustees in their discretion may, from time to time, issue Shares, in addition to the Outstanding Shares, to such party or parties and for such amount and type of consideration, including cash or property, at such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with the assumption of, liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares. The Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion, to divide or combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust, or to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable. Section 5.5. Ownership of Shares; Small Accounts. (a) The ownership and transfer of Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or its transfer or similar agent. Page 16 No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust, as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent of the Trust, shall be conclusive as to who are the holders of Shares and as to the number of Shares held from time to time by each Shareholder. (b) In the event any certificates representing Shares are at any time outstanding, the Trustees may at any time or from time to time discontinue the issuance of such certificates, and in connection therewith, upon written notice to any Shareholder holding certificates representing Outstanding Shares, cancel such certificates, provided that such cancellation shall not affect the ownership by such Shareholder of such Shares, and following such cancellation, ownership and transfer of such Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or its transfer or similar agent. (c) The Trustees may establish, from time to time, one or more minimum investment amounts for Shareholder accounts, which may differ within and among any Series or Classes, and may impose account fees on (which may be satisfied by involuntarily redeeming the requisite number of Shares in any such account in the amount of such fee), and/or require the involuntary redemption of, those accounts the net asset value of which for any reason falls below such established minimum investment amounts, or may take any other such action with respect to minimum investment amounts as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustees, in each case upon such terms as shall be established by the Trustees. Section 5.6. Disclosure of Holdings. The holders of Shares or others securities of the Trust shall upon demand disclose to the Trust in writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares or other securities of the Trust as the Trustees or officers deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to comply with the requirements of any other law or regulation, or as the Trustees may otherwise decide, and ownership of Shares may be disclosed by the Trust if so required by law or regulation or as the Trustees may otherwise decide. Section 5.7. Notices; Reports. The Trustees may from time to time set forth in the By-Laws procedures for providing notices and other reports to Shareholders. Section 5.8. Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only: (a) for the election or removal of Trustees to the extent and as provided in Article II; (b) with respect to the termination of the Trust or a Series thereof to the extent and as provided in Section 8.2; (c) with respect to an amendment of this Declaration to the extent and as provided in Section 8.3; (d) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law; and (e) with respect to such additional matters as the Trustees may determine to be necessary or desirable. Each whole Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote as to any matter on which such it is entitled to vote, and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate Page 17 fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required by law, this Declaration or the By-Laws to be taken by Shareholders. On any matter submitted to a vote of Shareholders, all Shares of the Trust then entitled to vote shall, except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws, be voted in the aggregate as a single class without regard to Series or Classes of Shares, except (1) when required by applicable law or when the Trustees shall have determined that the matter affects one or more Series or Classes of Shares materially differently, Shares shall be voted by individual Series or Class; and (2) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects only the interests of one or more Series or Classes, only Shareholders of such Series or Classes shall be entitled to vote thereon. Section 5.9. Meetings of Shareholders; Action by Written Consent. Meetings of the Shareholders of the Trust or any one or more Series or Classes thereof may be called and held from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders as herein provided or upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. Meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at such place within the United States as shall be fixed by the Trustees. The Trustees may set in the By-Laws provisions relating to the calling of meetings, quorum requirements, conduct of meetings, notice of meetings, adjournment of meetings and related matters. (a) The Shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority, except in the case of the election of Trustees which shall only require a plurality, of the Shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote and voting or voted at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present, except as may be otherwise required by the 1940 Act or any provision of this Declaration or the By-Laws. (b) Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Shareholders may be taken, at the sole discretion of the Trustees, without a meeting by written action signed by that number Shareholders holding not less than the minimum number of votes that would have been necessary to take the action at a meeting, assuming that all of the Shareholders entitled to vote on that action were present and voting at that meeting. The written action is effective when it has been signed by the requisite number of Shareholders and delivered to the Secretary or Clerk of the Trust, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action. Section 5.10. Series. The Trustees, in their discretion, may authorize the division of Shares into two or more Series, and the different Series shall be established and designated. All references to Shares in this Declaration shall be deemed to include references to Shares of any or all Series as the context may require. (a) All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Series of the Trust except as the context requires otherwise. Page 18 (b) The number of authorized Shares and the number of Shares of each Series that may be issued shall be unlimited. The Trustees may classify or reclassify any issued or unissued Shares of any Series into one or more Series that may be established and designated from time to time or abolish any one or more Series in accordance with Section 8.2, and take such other action with respect to the Series as the Trustees may deem desirable. (c) All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall be allocated and credited to that Series for all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors of such Series and except as may otherwise be required by applicable laws, and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. Each Series shall be preferred over all other Series in respect of the assets allocated to that Series within the meaning of the 1940 Act and shall represent a separate investment portfolio of the Trust. In the event that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, funds, or payments which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series, the Trustees shall allocate them among any one or more of the Series established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. (d) The assets belonging to each particular Series shall be charged with the liabilities of the Trust in respect of that Series and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to that Series, and any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the Series established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. The assets of a particular Series of the Trust shall, under no circumstances, be charged with liabilities attributable to any other Series of the Trust. All persons extending credit to, or contracting with or having any claim against, a particular Series of the Trust shall look only to the assets of that particular Series for payment of such credit, contract or claim. No Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series shall have any claim on or right to any assets allocated or belonging to any other Series. (e) Each Share of a Series of the Trust shall represent a beneficial interest in the net assets of such Series. Each holder of Shares of a Series shall be entitled to receive his pro rata share of distributions of income and capital gains made with respect to such Series as provided in Section 7.2. Upon redemption of his Shares or indemnification for liabilities incurred by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder of a Series, such Shareholder shall be paid solely out of the funds and property of such Series of the Trust. Upon liquidation or termination of a Series of the Trust, Shareholders of such Series shall be entitled to receive a pro rata share of the net assets of such Series as provided in Section 8.2. A Shareholder of a particular Series of the Trust shall not be entitled to participate in a derivative or class action on behalf of any other Series or the Shareholders of any other Series of the Trust. Page 19 Section 5.11. Classes. The Trustees, in their discretion, may authorize the division of the Shares of the Trust, or, if any Series be established, the Shares of any Series, into two or more Classes, and the different Classes shall be established and designated, and the variations in the relative rights and preferences as between the different Classes shall be fixed and determined, by the Trustees; provided, that all Shares of a Class shall be identical with each other and with the Shares of each other Class of the same Series except for such variations between Classes as may be authorized by the Trustees and not prohibited by the 1940 Act. The number of authorized Shares of each Class and the number of Shares of each Class that may be issued shall be unlimited. The Trustees may in their discretion divide or combine the Shares of any Class into a greater or lesser number; classify or reclassify any issued or unissued Shares of any Class into one or more Classes; combine two or more Classes of a Series into a single Class of such Series; abolish any one or more Classes; and take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable. To the extent necessary or appropriate to give effect to the preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of any Classes, the Trustees may, in their sole discretion, allocate assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a Series to a particular Class of that Series or apportion the same among two or more Classes of that Series. All references to Shares in this Declaration shall be deemed to include references to Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. Section 5.12. Establishment and Designation of Series and Classes. The establishment and designation of any Series or Class of Shares shall be made either by the vote of a majority of the Trustees or upon the execution by a majority of the Trustees of an instrument, in each case setting forth such establishment and designation, the effective date of such establishment and designation and in the case of a Class the relative rights and preferences of such Class, which may make reference to one or more documents or instruments outside this Declaration and outside the resolutions, as the same may be in effect from time to time. Any such instrument executed by a majority of the Trustees, or, with respect to an establishment and designation made by vote of the Trustees, an instrument setting forth such resolutions and certified by either the Secretary/Clerk or an Assistant Secretary/Clerk of the Trust (in each case, a "Designation"), shall further be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.1 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Series or Class of the Trust established and designated prior to the date hereof in accordance with the terms of the Original Declaration (a "Prior Designation"), and set forth on the Restated Designation attached as Appendix A hereto, shall be deemed for all intents and purposes to have been established and designated in accordance with this Section 5.12. The Restated Designation attached hereto as Appendix A shall supercede any terms set forth in a Prior Designation. Additions or modifications to a Designation, other than termination of an existing Series or Class, shall be deemed to be an amendment to this Declaration subject to Section 8.3 hereof. ARTICLE VI REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES Page 20 Section 6.1. Redemption of Shares. All Shares of the Trust shall be redeemable, at the redemption price determined in the manner set out in this Declaration. The Trust shall redeem the Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class thereof at the price determined as hereinafter set forth, at such office or agency as may be designated from time to time for that purpose by the Trustees and in accordance with such conditions as the Trustees may from time to time determine, not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, regarding the redemption of Shares. Section 6.2. Price. Any Shares redeemed shall be redeemed at their net asset value, less such fees and/or charges, if any, as may be established by the Trustees from time to time. Section 6.3. Payment. Payment for such Shares shall be made in cash or in property, or any combination thereof, out of the assets of the Trust or relevant Series of the Trust. The composition of any such payment (e.g., cash, securities or other assets) shall be determined by the Trust in its sole discretion, and may be different among Shareholders (including differences among Shareholders in the same Series or Class). In no event shall the Trust be liable for any delay of any other person in transferring securities or other property selected for delivery as all or part of any such payment. Section 6.4. Redemption of Shareholder's Interest. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may cause the Trust to redeem all of the Shares of the Trust or one or more Series or Classes held by any Shareholder for any reason under terms set by the Trustees, including, but not limited to: (i) the value of such Shares held by such Shareholder being less than the minimum amount established from time to time by the Trustees, (ii) the determination by the Trustees that direct or indirect ownership of Shares by any Person has become concentrated in such Shareholder to any extent that would disqualify that Series as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (iii) the failure of a Shareholder to supply a tax identification or other identification or if the Trust is unable to verify a Shareholder's identity, (iv) the failure of a Shareholder to pay when due the purchase price for the Shares issued to such Shareholder, (v) when required for the payment of account fees or other charges, expenses and/or fees as set by the Trustees, including without limitation any small account fees permitted by Section 5.5(c) hereof, (vi) failure of a Shareholder to meet or maintain the qualifications for ownership of a particular Series or Class of Shares, Page 21 (vii) the determination by the Trustees or pursuant to policies adopted by the Trustees that ownership of Shares by a particular Shareholder is not in the best interests of the remaining Shareholders of the Trust or applicable Series or Class, (viii) failure of a holder of Shares or other securities of the Trust to comply with a demand pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof, or (ix) when the Trust is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority or applicable law. Section 6.5. Reductions in Number of Outstanding Shares Pursuant to Net Asset Value Formula. The Trust may also redeem a portion of the Shares held by each Shareholder to reduce the number of Outstanding Shares pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.3. Section 6.6. Suspension of Right of Redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may postpone payment of the redemption price and may suspend the right of Shareholders to require the Trust to redeem Shares to the extent permissible under the 1940 Act. ARTICLE VII DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, NET INCOME AND DISTRIBUTIONS Section 7.1. Determination of Net Asset Value. The Trustees may in their sole discretion from time to time prescribe the time or times for determining the per Share net asset value of the Shares of the Trust or any Series thereof, and may prescribe or approve the procedures and methods for determining the value of the assets of the Trust or Series thereof, and the procedures and methods for determining the net asset value of a Share of the Trust, or a Series or a Class thereof. The Trust may suspend the determination of net asset value during any period when it may suspend the right of the Shareholders to require the Trust to redeem Shares. Section 7.2. Distributions to Shareholders. The Trustees may in their sole discretion from time to time declare and pay, or may prescribe and set forth in a duly adopted vote or votes of the Trustees, the bases and time for the declaration and payment by duly authorized officers of the Trust of, such dividends and distributions to Shareholders of any Series or Class thereof, in cash or in property, including any Shares or other securities of the Trust as they may deem necessary or desirable, after providing for actual and accrued expenses and liabilities (including such reserves as the Trustees may establish) determined in accordance with good accounting practices. If such dividends or other distributions or any portion thereof are to be paid in cash, such cash may be reinvested in full and fractional Shares of the Trust as the Trustees shall direct or as the Trustees may permit a Shareholder to Page 22 direct. Any such distribution to the Shareholders of a particular Series shall be made to said Shareholders pro rata in proportion to the number of Shares of such Series held by each of them, except to the extent otherwise required or permitted by the preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of any Classes of Shares of that Series, and any distribution to the Shareholders of a particular Class of Shares shall be made to such Shareholders pro rata in proportion to the number of Shares of such Class held by each of them; provided, however, that the composition of any such distribution (e.g., cash, securities or other assets) shall be determined by the Trust in its sole discretion, and may be different among Shareholders (including differences among Shareholders in the same Series or Class). Any such distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net asset value thereof as determined in accordance with Section 7.1 hereof. Section 7.3. Constant Net Asset Value. With respect to any Series that holds itself out as a money market or stable value fund, the Trustees shall have the power to reduce the number of Outstanding Shares of the Series by reducing the number of Shares in the account of each Shareholder on a pro rata basis, or to take such other measures as are not prohibited by the 1940 Act, so as to maintain the net asset value per share of such Series at a constant dollar amount. Section 7.4. Reserves. The Trustees may in their sole discretion set apart, from time to time, out of any funds of the Trust or Series or Class thereof a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose, and may abolish any such reserve. Section 7.5. Determination by Trustees. The Trustees may make any determinations they deem necessary with respect to this Article VII, including, but not limited to, the following matters: the amount of the assets, obligations, liabilities and expenses of the Trust; the amount of the net income of the Trust from dividends, capital gains, interest or other sources for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends or distributions; which items are capital; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges were created shall have been paid or discharged); the market value, or any other price to be applied in determining the market value, or the fair value, of any security or other asset owned or held by the Trust; the number of Shares of the Trust issued or issuable; the net asset value per Share; and any of the foregoing matters as it may pertain to any Series or Class. ARTICLE VIII DURATION; TERMINATION OF TRUST; AMENDMENT; MERGERS, ETC. Section 8.1. Duration. The Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject to the provisions of this Article VIII. Page 23 Section 8.2. Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust or any Series of the Trust may be terminated at any time by the Trustees by notice to the Shareholders of the Trust or such Series as the case may be, or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote of the Trust or such Series. Upon the termination of the Trust or any Series, (i) the Trust or any Series shall carry on no business except for the purpose of winding up its affairs; (ii) the Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust or Series and all of the rights and powers of the Trustees under this Declaration shall continue until the affairs of the Trust or Series shall have been wound up, including the power to fulfill or discharge the contracts of the Trust or Series, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining Trust Property or property of the Series to one or more persons at public or private sale for consideration which may consist in whole or in part of cash, securities or other property of any kind, discharge or pay its liabilities, and do all other acts appropriate to liquidate its business; (iii) after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities which may include the establishment of a liquidating trust or similar vehicle, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may distribute the remaining Trust Property or property of the Series, in cash or in kind or partly each, to the Shareholders of the Trust or the Series involved, ratably according to the number of Shares of the Trust or such Series held by the several Shareholders of the Trust or such Series on the date of termination, except to the extent otherwise required or permitted by the preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of any Classes of Shares of a Series involved, provided that any distribution to the Shareholders of a particular Class of Shares shall be made to such Shareholders pro rata in proportion to the number of Shares of such Class held by each of them. The composition of any such distribution (e.g., cash, securities or other assets) shall be determined by the Trust in its sole discretion, and may be different among Shareholders (including differences among Shareholders in the same Series or Class). (b) After termination of the Trust or any Series and distribution to the Shareholders as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees shall execute and lodge among the records of the Trust (or Series) an instrument in writing setting forth the fact of such termination, and the Trustees shall thereupon be discharged from all further liabilities and duties hereunder, and the rights and interests of all Shareholders of the Trust or Series shall thereupon cease. The foregoing provisions shall also apply mutatis mutandis to the termination of any Class. Section 8.3. Amendment Procedure. (a) Except as specifically provided herein, the Trustees may amend or otherwise supplement the Declaration by making an amendment, Page 24 a Declaration supplemental hereto or an amended and restated Declaration by an instrument in writing executed by a majority of the Trustees. Shareholders shall have the right to vote only on (i) any amendment that would affect their right to vote granted in Section 5.8 hereof; (ii) any amendment as may be required by law to be approved by Shareholders; and (iii) any amendment submitted to them by the Trustees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustees may, without any Shareholder vote, amend this Declaration (x) to supply any omission, to cure, correct or supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or (y) if they deem it necessary or advisable, to conform the Declaration to the requirements of applicable law, including the 1940 Act or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, but the Trustees shall not be liable for failing to do so, or, (z) with respect to an amendment affecting a Series or Class, for any reason at any time, if there are no Shares of such Series or Class outstanding at that time. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Declaration, any amendment on which Shareholders have the right to vote shall require an affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote of the Trust unless in any case such action is recommended by the Trustees, in which case the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust shall be required, except that an amendment which in the determination of the Trustees shall affect the holders of one or more Series or Classes of Shares but not the holders of all outstanding Series or Classes shall be authorized by vote of such Series or Classes affected and no vote of Shareholders of a Series or Class not affected shall be required. (b) Nothing contained in the Declaration shall permit the amendment of the Declaration (i) to impair the exemption from personal liability of the Shareholders, former Shareholders, Trustees, former Trustees, officers, employees or agents, (ii) to permit assessments upon Shareholders of the Trust, or (iii) to limit the rights to indemnification provided in Article IV with respect to actions or omissions of persons entitled to indemnification under such Article prior to such amendment. Section 8.4. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Trustees may authorize the Trust or any Series or Class thereof to merge, reorganize or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or series thereof (including another Series or Class of the Trust) or other entity (in each case, the "Surviving Entity") or the Trustees may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of the Trust Property (or all or substantially all of the Trust Property allocated or belonging to a particular Series or Class) including its good will to any Surviving Entity, upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration as authorized by the Trustees. Such transactions may be effected through share-for-share exchanges, transfers or sales of assets, in-kind redemptions and purchases, exchange offers, or any other method approved by the Trustees. The Trustees shall provide notice to affected Shareholders of each transaction pursuant to this Section 8.4. The authority of the Trustees under this Section 8.4 with respect to the merger, reorganization or consolidation of any Class of the Trust is in addition to the authority of the Trustees under Section 5.11 hereof to combine two or more Classes of a Series into a single Class. Page 25 ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS Section 9.1. Filing. This Declaration, any amendment thereto, and any Designation executed in accordance with Section 5.12 hereof shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in such other places as may be required under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and may also be filed or recorded in such other places as the Trustees deem appropriate, provided, however, that the failure to so file will not invalidate this instrument or any properly authorized amendment hereto or Designation. Unless the amendment or Designation is embodied in an instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees, each amendment or Designation filed shall be accompanied by a certificate signed and acknowledged by a Trustee or authorized officer stating that such action was duly taken in a manner provided herein. A restated Declaration, integrating into a single instrument all of the provisions of the Declaration which are then in effect and operative, may be executed from time to time by a majority of the Trustees and shall, upon filing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein and may hereafter be referred to in lieu of the original Declaration and the various amendments thereto. The restated Declaration may include any amendment which the Trustees are empowered to adopt, whether or not such amendment has been adopted prior to the execution of the restated Declaration. The foregoing provisions for restating the Declaration and including an amendment in the restated Declaration shall also apply, mutatis mutandis, to the restatement of Designations. Section 9.2. Governing Law. The principal place of business of the Trust in Massachusetts is Boston. The Trustees may, without the approval of Shareholders, change the principal place of business of the Trust. The Trust set forth in this instrument shall be deemed made in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and it is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of said Commonwealth as a voluntary association with transferable shares (commonly known as a business trust) of the type referred to in Chapter 182 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (or any successor law), and the rights of all parties and the validity and construction of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the internal laws of said Commonwealth without regard to the choice of law rules thereof. Section 9.3. Counterparts and Headings. This Declaration may be simultaneously executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts, together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, which shall be sufficiently evidenced by any such original counterpart. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as a part thereof or control or affect the meaning, construction or effect of this instrument. Section 9.4. Reliance by Third Parties. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate executed by an individual who, according to the records of the Trust, appears to be a Trustee or officer of the Trust, certifying to: (a) the number or identity of Trustees or Page 26 Shareholders, (b) the due authorization of the execution of any instrument or writing, (c) the form of any vote passed at a meeting of Trustees or Shareholders, (d) the fact that the number of Trustees or Shareholders present at any meeting or executing any written instrument satisfies the requirements of this Declaration, (e) the form of any By-Laws adopted, or the identity of any officers elected, by the Trustees, or (f) the existence of any fact or facts which in any manner relate to the affairs of the Trust. Section 9.5. Provisions in Conflict with Law. All provisions of this Declaration shall be construed, to the extent reasonably possible, in a manner consistent with applicable law. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, any provision of this Declaration shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provisions in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Declaration in any jurisdiction. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as of the date first written above. /s/Henry P. Becton, Jr. /s/Rebecca W. Rimel - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Henry P. Becton, Jr., as Trustee Rebecca W. Rimel, as Trustee /s/Dawn-Marie Driscoll /s/Philip Saunders, Jr. - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Dawn-Marie Driscoll, as Trustee Philip Saunders, Jr., as Trustee /s/Keith R. Fox /s/William N. Searcy - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Keith R. Fox, as Trustee William N. Searcy, as Trustee /s/Kenneth C. Froewiss /s/Jean Gleason Stromberg - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Kenneth C. Froewiss, as Trustee Jean Gleason Stromberg, as Trustee /s/Martin J. Gruber /s/Carl W. Vogt - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Martin J. Gruber, as Trustee Carl W. Vogt, as Trustee /s/Richard J. Herring /s/Axel Schwarzer - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Richard J. Herring, as Trustee Axel Schwarzer, as Trustee /s/Graham E. Jones - -------------------------------- Graham E. Jones, as Trustee APPENDIX A DWS INVESTMENT TRUST RESTATED DESIGNATION OF SERIES AND CLASSES OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust, acting pursuant to the Trust's declaration of trust as then in effect, have previously established and designated one or more series of shares of beneficial interest in the Trust (each, a "Series") pursuant to one or more designations of series (the "Prior Series Designations") and have previously established and designated one or more classes of Shares (each, a "Class") for some or all of the Series pursuant to one or more designations of classes (the "Prior Class Designations," such Prior Series Designations and Prior Class Designations referred to herein collectively as the "Prior Designations"); WHEREAS, in connection with the adoption of an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of August 31, 2006 (the "Declaration"), as set forth in Section 5.12 of the Declaration, the previously established and designated Series and Classes are to be included on a restated designation. NOW THEREFORE, the Trustees of the Trust, effective August 31, 2006 hereby restate the Trust's Prior Designations, the terms of this restated designation to supercede any terms set forth in the Prior Designations. 1. The following Series of Shares and Classes thereof are established and designated, the Shares of such Series and Classes to be subject to the terms of, and entitled to all the rights and preferences accorded to Shares of a Series, and, if applicable, a Class under, the Declaration and this restated designation: Series Class ------ ----- DWS Capital Growth Fund Class AARP Class A Class B Class C Class R Class S Institutional Class Page 2 DWS Growth & Income Fund Class AARP Class A Class B Class C Class R Class S Institutional Class DWS Large Company Growth Fund Class AARP Class A Class B Class C Class R Class S Institutional Class DWS S&P 500 Index Fund Class AARP Class A Class B Class C Class S DWS Small Cap Core Fund Class AARP Class A Class B Class C Class S 2. For Shares of a Class of a Series, the relative rights and preferences of such Class shall be as determined by the Trustees of the Trust from time to time in accordance with the Declaration and set forth in the Trust's Multi-Distribution System Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as such Plan may be amended from time to time, or as otherwise required by applicable law. The Shares of a Class of a Series shall have such other terms, features and qualifications as may be determined by the Trustees of the Trust from time to time in accordance with the Declaration and set forth in the current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Series relating to such Class, contained in the Trust's registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such prospectus or statement of additional information may be further supplemented from time to time. 3. The designation of the Series and Classes hereby shall not impair the power of the Trustees from time to time to designate additional Series and Classes of Shares of the Trust. Page 3 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, have executed this instrument as of this 31st day of August 2006. /s/Henry P. Becton, Jr. /s/Rebecca W. Rimel - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Henry P. Becton, Jr., as Trustee Rebecca W. Rimel, as Trustee /s/Dawn-Marie Driscoll /s/Philip Saunders, Jr. - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Dawn-Marie Driscoll, as Trustee Philip Saunders, Jr., as Trustee /s/Keith R. Fox /s/William N. Searcy - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Keith R. Fox, as Trustee William N. Searcy, as Trustee /s/Kenneth C. Froewiss /s/Jean Gleason Stromberg - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Kenneth C. Froewiss, as Trustee Jean Gleason Stromberg, as Trustee /s/Martin J. Gruber /s/Carl W. Vogt - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Martin J. Gruber, as Trustee Carl W. Vogt, as Trustee /s/Richard J. Herring /s/Axel Schwarzer - -------------------------------- --------------------------- Richard J. Herring, as Trustee Axel Schwarzer, as Trustee /s/Graham E. Jones - -------------------------------- Graham E. Jones, as Trustee
EX-99.A.2 3 exa2-inv.htm

Exhibit (a)(2)

DWS INVESTMENT TRUST

AMENDED AND RESTATED DESIGNATION OF SERIES AND CLASSES

OF

SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust, acting pursuant to the Trust’s declaration of trust as then in effect, had previously established and designated one or more series of shares of beneficial interest in the Trust (each, a “Series”) pursuant to one or more designations of series (the “Prior Series Designations”) and had previously established and designated one or more classes of Shares (each, a “Class”) for some or all of the Series pursuant to one or more designations of classes (the “Prior Class Designations,” such Prior Series Designations and Prior Class Designations referred to herein collectively as the “Prior Designations”);

 

WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust, effective June 27, 2006 restated the Trust’s Prior Designations, the terms of the restated designation to supersede any terms set forth in the Prior Designations;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Article V, Section 11 of the Declaration, the Trustees, at a meeting held on June 27, 2006, authorized the following share class combinations to be effective as of the dates indicated below:

 

(i) Effective as of July 14, 2006, the class of the DWS Capital Growth Fund presently designated as Class AARP shares is combined with the Class S share class of that Series, and each Class AARP share of that Series outstanding as of the close of business on July 13, 2006 is redesignated as a Class S share of that Series, to have all the relative rights and preferences of the Class S shares of that Series under the Declaration;

 

(ii) Effective as of July 14, 2006, the class of the DWS Growth & Income Fund presently designated as Class AARP shares is combined with the Class S share class of that Series, and each Class AARP share of that Series outstanding as of the close of business on July 13, 2006 is redesignated as a Class S share of that Series, to have all the relative rights and preferences of the Class S shares of that Series under the Declaration;

 

(iii) Effective as of July 14, 2006, the class of the DWS Large Company Growth Fund presently designated as Class AARP shares is combined with the

 


Class S share class of that Series, and each Class AARP share of that Series outstanding as of the close of business on July 13, 2006 is redesignated as a Class S share of that Series, to have all the relative rights and preferences of the Class S shares of that Series under the Declaration;

 

(iv) Effective as of July 14, 2006, the class of the DWS S&P 500 Index Fund presently designated as Class AARP shares is combined with the Class S share class of that Series, and each Class AARP share of that Series outstanding as of the close of business on July 13, 2006 is redesignated as a Class S share of that Series, to have all the relative rights and preferences of the Class S shares of that Series under the Declaration;

 

(v) Effective as of July 14, 2006, the class of the DWS Small Cap Core Fund presently designated as Class AARP shares is combined with the Class S share class of that Series, and each Class AARP share of that Series outstanding as of the close of business on July 13, 2006 is redesignated as a Class S share of that Series, to have all the relative rights and preferences of the Class S shares of that Series under the Declaration;

NOW THEREFORE, the Trustees of the Trust, effective as of the dates set forth above hereby amend and restate the Trust’s Restated Designation of Series and Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest in its entirety as follows:

1.          The following Series of Shares and Classes thereof are established and designated, the Shares of such Series and Classes to be subject to the terms of, and entitled to all the rights and preferences accorded to Shares of a Series, and, if applicable, a Class under, the Declaration and this restated designation:

 

 

DWS Capital Growth Fund

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class C

 

Class R

 

Class S

 

Institutional Class

 

 

DWS Growth & Income Fund

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class C

 

Class R

 

Class S

 

Institutional Class

 

 

DWS Large Company Growth Fund

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class C

 


 

Class R

 

Class S

 

Institutional Class

 

 

DWS S&P 500 Index Fund

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class C

 

Class S

 

 

DWS Small Cap Core Fund

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class C

 

Class S

 

2.          For Shares of a Class of a Series, the relative rights and preferences of such Class shall be as determined by the Trustees of the Trust from time to time in accordance with the Declaration and set forth in the Trust’s Multi-Distribution System Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as such Plan may be amended from time to time, or as otherwise required by applicable law. The Shares of a Class of a Series shall have such other terms, features and qualifications as may be determined by the Trustees of the Trust from time to time in accordance with the Declaration and set forth in the current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Series relating to such Class, contained in the Trust’s registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such prospectus or statement of additional information may be further supplemented from time to time.

3.          The designation of the Series and Classes hereby shall not impair the power of the Trustees from time to time to designate additional Series and Classes of Shares of the Trust.

 

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, have executed this instrument as of this 27th day of June 2006.

 

 

/s/ Henry P. Becton, Jr.

 

/s/ Dawn-Marie Driscoll

Henry P. Becton, Jr., Trustee

 

Dawn-Marie Driscoll Trustee

/s/ Keith R. Fox

 

/s/ Kenneth C. Froewiss

Keith R. Fox, Trustee

 

Kenneth C. Froewiss, Trustee

/s/ Martin J. Gruber

 

/s/ Richard J. Herring

Martin J. Gruber, Trustee

 

Richard J. Herring, Trustee

/s/Graham E. Jones

 

/s/ Rebecca W. Rimel

Graham E. Jones, Trustee

 

Rebecca W. Rimel, Trustee

/s/ Philip Saunders Jr.

 

/s/ Axel Schwarzer

Philip Saunders Jr., Trustee

 

Axel Schwarzer, Trustee

/s/ William N. Searcy, Jr.

 

/s/ Jean Gleason Stromberg

William N. Searcy, Jr., Trustee

 

Jean Gleason Stromberg, Trustee

 

/s/ Carl W. Vogt

 

 

Carl W. Vogt, Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-99.B.1 4 exb1-inv.htm

Exhibit (b)(1)

BYLAWS

OF

DWS INVESTMENT TRUST

 

(Dated as of June 27, 2006)

 

ARTICLE 1

Declaration of Trust and Principal Office

 

1.1 Declaration of Trust. These Bylaws are adopted pursuant to Section 2.9 of the Declaration of Trust, as from time to time in effect (the "Declaration”), of the Massachusetts business trust established by the Declaration (the "Trust") and shall be subject to the terms of the Declaration. Any capitalized term not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning given to such term in the Declaration.

 

1.2 Principal Office of the Trust. The principal office of the Trust in Massachusetts shall be located in Boston, Massachusetts, or such other place as shall be determined by the Trustees from time to time. The Trust may have offices in such other places within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Trustees may from time to time determine.

 

ARTICLE 2

Trustees

2.1 Chairman. The Trustees may elect from their own number a Chairman to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification. If the Chairman is present at a meeting of the Trustees or Shareholders, the Chairman shall preside at such meeting. The Chairman shall have such other duties and powers as the Trustees may from time to time determine, but shall have no individual authority to act for the Trust as an officer of the Trust.

 

2.2 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without call or notice at such places (including for these purposes, by means of conference telephone circuit, video conferencing or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other as provided for in the Declaration) as the Trustees may from time to time determine.

 

2.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Trustees may be held at any time and at any place (including for these purposes, by means of conference telephone circuit, video conferencing or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other as provided for in the Declaration) designated in the call of the meeting when called by the Chairman, the President or the Treasurer or by two or more Trustees, sufficient notice thereof as described in Section 2.4 below being given to each Trustee by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by the person calling the meeting.

 

2.4 Notice of Special Meetings. It shall be sufficient notice to a Trustee of a special meeting to send notice by overnight mail at least forty eight hours or by email or facsimile at least twenty four hours before the meeting addressed to the Trustee at his or her usual or last known business or residence address, email address or facsimile number as applicable, or to give notice to him or her in person or by telephone at least twenty four hours before the meeting. Notice of a special meeting need not be given to any Trustee if a

 


written waiver of notice, executed by him or her before or after the meeting, is filed with the records of the meeting, or to any Trustee who attends the meeting. Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice need specify the purposes of the meeting.

 

2.5 Quorum and Manner of Acting. At any meeting of the Trustees, one third of the Trustees then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Meetings of the Trustees shall be presided over by the Chairman, or, if the Chairman is not present at the meeting, by another Trustee designated by the Chairman, or is there is no such designee present at the meeting, then by a person appointed to act as chairman of the meeting by the remaining Trustees present at the meeting. The Declaration contains further provisions relating to the manner of acting by the Trustees.

 

2.6 Actions by Consent. If in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration any action is taken by the Trustees by a written consent of fewer than all of the Trustees, prompt notice of any such action shall be furnished to each Trustee who did not execute such written consent, provided that the effectiveness of such action shall not be impaired by any delay or failure to furnish such notice. All such consents shall be filed with the records of the Trustees’ meetings. Any such written consents may be executed and delivered by electronic means. The Declaration contains further provisions relating to action by consent of the Trustees.

 

2.7. Counsel and Experts. The Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust pursuant to the 1940 Act may from time to time as they may determine, at the Trust’s expense, hire such employees and retain such counsel, accountants, appraisers or other experts or consultants whose services such Trustees may, in their discretion, determine to be necessary or desirable from time to time, including services to one or more Committees established by the Trustees, and may execute any agreements, contracts, instruments or other documents in connection therewith.

 

ARTICLE 3

Officers

 

3.1 Enumeration; Qualification. The officers of the Trust shall be a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers as the Trustees from time to time may in their discretion elect, appoint or authorize in accordance with Section 3.2 below. Any officer of the Trust may but need not be a Trustee or a Shareholder. Any two or more offices, except those of President and Vice-President, may be held by the same person. A Trustee may but need not be a Shareholder.

 

3.2 Election. The President, the Treasurer and the Secretary shall be elected by the Trustees upon the occurrence of a vacancy in any such office. Other officers, if any, may be elected or appointed by the Trustees at any time, or the Trustees may delegate to the President the power to appoint such other officers as the Trustees shall at any time or from time to time deem advisable. Vacancies in any such other office may be filled at any time.

 

3.3 Tenure. Each officer shall hold office in each case until he or she dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.

 


3.4 Powers. Each officer shall have, in addition to the duties and powers herein and in the Declaration set forth, such duties and powers as are commonly incident to the office occupied by him or her as if the Trust were organized as a Massachusetts business corporation and such other duties and powers as the Trustees may from time to time designate.

 

3.5 President. Unless the Trustees otherwise provide, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the Trust.

 

3.6 Treasurer. Unless the Trustees provide otherwise, the Treasurer shall be the chief financial and accounting officer of the Trust, and shall, subject to the provisions of the Declaration and to any arrangement made by the Trustees with a custodian, investment adviser or manager, or transfer, Shareholder servicing or similar agent, be in charge of the valuable papers, books of account and accounting records of the Trust, and shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the President.

 

3.7 Secretary. The Secretary shall record all proceedings of the Shareholders and the Trustees in books to be kept therefor, which books or a copy thereof shall be kept at an office of the Trust. In the absence of the Secretary from any meeting of the Shareholders or Trustees, an Assistant Secretary, or if there be none or if he or she is absent, a temporary Secretary chosen at such meeting shall record the proceedings thereof in the aforesaid books.

 

3.8 Resignations and Removals. Any officer may resign at any time by written instrument signed by him or her and delivered to the Chairman, the President or the Secretary or to a meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time. The Trustees may remove any officer with or without cause and may delegate to the President the power of removal of any officers appointed by the President pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no officer resigning and no officer removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal.

 

ARTICLE 4

Committees

 

4.1 Establishment and Authority. The Declaration contains provisions relating to the establishment of committees by the Trustees. Each committee shall have such powers and authority as shall be authorized by the Trustees, and may fix its own rules and procedures, and adopt its own charter, in each case subject to approval by the Trustees.

 

4.2 Quorum; Voting. Unless the specific rules and procedures adopted by a Committee in accordance with Section 4.1 provide otherwise, a majority of the members of any Committee of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and any action of such a Committee may be taken at a meeting by a vote of a majority of the members present (a quorum being present) or evidenced by one or more writings signed by such a majority (which writings may be executed and/or delivered by electronic means). Members of a Committee may participate in a meeting of such Committee by means of a conference telephone circuit, video conferencing or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

 


 

4.3 Compensation of Members. The chair, if any, and members of any duly appointed committee shall receive such compensation and/or fees and reimbursement for expenses as from time to time may be determined by the Trustees.

 

ARTICLE 5

Reports and Communications

 

5.1 General. Pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Declaration, the Trustees and officers shall render notices and reports at the time and in the manner required by any applicable law. Officers and Committees shall render such additional reports as they may deem desirable or as may from time to time be required by the Trustees.

 

5.2. Communications with Shareholders. Any notices, reports, proxy statements or other communications required under the Declaration, these By-Laws or applicable law to be sent to Shareholders may be sent, delivered or made available in any reasonable manner as may be determined by the Trustees if not otherwise prohibited by applicable law, including, without limitation, by email or other electronic means or by posting on a website; and such communications may be sent, delivered or otherwise made available to Shareholders in accordance with householding or other similar rules under which a single copy of such communication may be sent to Shareholders who reside at the same address. No communication need be given to any Shareholder who shall have failed to inform the Trust of the Shareholder's current address, and the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time adopt, or may authorize the officers or agents of the Trust to adopt, procedures or policies with respect to communications to Shareholders that are returned to the Trust or its agents as undeliverable and similar matters. Any Shareholder may waive receipt of notice or any other communication. Communications shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or with another carrier or sent by any means of written or electronic communication or, where notice is given by posting on a website or by publication, on the date of posting or publication.

 

ARTICLE 6

Seal

 

6.1 General. The Trustees may adopt a seal of the Trust which shall be in such form and shall have such inscription thereon as the Trustees may from time to time prescribe, but unless otherwise required by the Trustees, the seal shall not be necessary to be placed on and its absence shall not impair the validity of, any document, instrument or other paper executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Trust. In the absence of a seal, a recital in any written instrument that such instrument is given under seal or otherwise is intended to take effect as a sealed instrument shall be sufficient to give such instrument the legal effect of a sealed instrument.

 

ARTICLE 7

Execution of Papers

 

7.1 General. All deeds, leases, contracts, notes and other obligations made by the Trustees shall be signed by the President, any Vice President elected by the Trustees, the Treasurer or the Secretary, except as the Trustees may generally or in particular cases

 


authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, or as otherwise provided in these By-Laws.

 

ARTICLE 8

Shares and Share Certificates

 

8.1 Share Certificates. Unless the issuance of certificates is authorized by the Trustees, Shares shall be held on the books of the Trust by one or more transfer agents appointed in accordance with Section 3.1 of the Declaration (each, a “Transfer Agent”) in uncertificated form, and the record holders of such Shares shall be treated for all purposes as Shareholders under the Declaration.

 

The Trustees may at any time authorize the issuance of share certificates for Shares of any Series or Class in such form as the Trustees may prescribe from time to time. Each such certificate shall bear a distinguishing number, shall exhibit the holder’s name and the number of Shares owned by such holder, and shall be signed by the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Such signatures may be facsimile, printed or engraved if the certificate is signed by the Transfer Agent with respect to such Shares or by a registrar. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such certificate shall cease to be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the same effect as if he were such officer at the time of its issue.

 

8.2 Share Transfers. Transfers of Shares of the Trust shall be made only on the books of the Trust, as maintained by the Transfer Agent with respect to such Shares, by the registered holder thereof, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Transfer Agent for such Shares and upon surrender of any certificate or certificates representing such Shares, if any, properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes thereon. Except as may be otherwise provided by law or these By-Laws, the person in whose name Shares stand on the books of the Trust shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Trust; provided that properly documented pledges of Shares as collateral security may be accounted for by the Transfer Agent in accordance with its standard procedures with respect thereto.

 

8.3 Loss of Certificates. The transfer agent for any Series or Class of Shares, with the approval of any two officers of the Trust, is authorized to issue and countersign replacement certificates for Shares which have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon (i) receipt of an affidavit or affidavits of loss or non receipt and of an indemnity agreement executed by the registered holder or his legal representative and supported by an open penalty surety bond, said agreement and said bond in all cases to be in form and content satisfactory to and approved by the President or the Treasurer, or (ii) receipt of such other documents and assurances as may be approved by the Trustees.

 

8.4. Regulations. The Trustees may make such additional rules and regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, certification, transfer and registration of Shares.

 

ARTICLE 9

Shareholders

 

9.1 Meetings. A meeting of the Shareholders shall be called by a majority of the Trustees or by the Secretary or other officer or officers as authorized by the Trustees whenever

 


ordered to do so by a majority of Trustees. Meetings shall also be called by order of the Trustees at the request of Shareholders if and to the extent provided by the Declaration or by applicable law. The Trustees shall determine, or may authorize the officers of the Trust to determine, the date, time and place for any meeting of Shareholders, which place may be within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Any meeting so called may be postponed by the Trustees prior to the meeting with notice to the Shareholders entitled to vote at that meeting.

 

9.2 Record Dates. For the purpose of determining the Shareholders of the Trust or any Series or Class of Shares of the Trust who are entitled to vote or act at any meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, the Trustees may from time to time fix a time, or may authorize the officers to fix a time, which shall be not more than 120 days before the date set for any meeting of Shareholders (without regard to any adjournments or postponements thereof) or more than 60 days before the date of payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, as the record date for determining the Shareholders of the Trust or such Series or Class having the right to notice of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof or the right to receive such dividend or distribution, and in such case only Shareholders on such record date shall have such right notwithstanding any transfer of Shares on the books of the Trust after the record date; or without fixing such record date the Trustees may for any such purposes close the register or transfer books for all or part of such period.

 

9.3 Notice of Meetings. Notice of all meetings of Shareholders and any postponement thereof, stating the time, place and purposes of the meeting, shall be given by the Secretary or the Trustees in accordance with Section 5.2 hereof at least seven days and not more than 120 days before the date for the meeting set forth in such notice, to each Shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting on the date set in accordance with Section 9.2 hereof. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice, even if the date of such adjourned meeting is more than 120 days after the notice of the original meeting or the postponement thereof was mailed or sent. Where separate meetings are held for Shareholders of the individual Series or Class to vote on a matter required to be voted on by Shareholders of the Trust in the aggregate, notice of each such separate meeting shall be provided in the manner described above in this Section.

 

9.4 Quorum. The holders of thirty percent (30%) of the Outstanding Shares entitled to vote present in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Shareholders, except that where pursuant to any provision of law, the Declaration or these By-Laws a vote shall be taken by individual Series or Class then Shares representing thirty percent (30%) of the Outstanding Shares of that Series or Class entitled to vote shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that Series or Class. For the purposes of establishing whether a quorum is present, all Shares present and entitled to vote, including abstentions and broker non-votes, shall be counted.

 

9.5 Adjournments. Any meeting of Shareholders may, by action of the chairman of the meeting, be adjourned without further notice with respect to one or more matters to be considered at such meeting to a designated time and place, whether or not a quorum is present with respect to such matter; upon motion of the chairman of the meeting, the question of adjournment may be submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, and in that case, any adjournment with respect to one or more matters must be approved by the vote of holders of a majority of the Shares present and entitled to vote with respect to the matter or matters adjourned, and without further notice. Unless a proxy is otherwise limited in this

 


regard, any Shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting that are represented by broker non-votes, may, at the discretion of the proxies named therein, be voted in favor of such an adjournment.

 

9.6 Proxies. At any meeting of Shareholders, any holder of Shares entitled to vote thereat may vote by proxy, provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting unless it shall have been placed on file with the Secretary, or with such other officer or agent of the Trust as the Trustees or officers may direct, for verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken. In connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Trustees, a Shareholder may give instructions through telephonic or electronic methods of communication or via the Internet for another person to execute his or her proxy, if in each case such method has been authorized by the Trust by its officers, and pursuant in each case to procedures established or approved by the officers of the Trust or agents employed by the Trust for such purpose as reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorized by such Shareholder; and the placing of a Shareholder’s name on a proxy pursuant to such instructions shall constitute execution of such proxy by or on behalf of such Shareholder. Proxies may also be submitted via facsimile if such method has been authorized by the Trust by its officers, and pursuant to procedures established or approved by the officers of the Trust or agents employed by the Trust for such purpose. Pursuant to a vote of the Trustees, proxies may be solicited in the name of one or more Trustees and/or one or more of the officers of the Trust. When any Share is held jointly by several persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such Share, but if more than one of them shall be present at such meeting in person or by proxy and such joint owners or their proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be received in respect of such Share, but shall be counted as present and entitled to vote at the meeting for all other purposes. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. If the holder of any such Share is a minor or a person of unsound mind, and subject to guardianship or to the legal control of any other person as regards the charge or management of such Share, such Share may be voted by such guardian or such other person appointed or having such control, and such vote may be given in person or by proxy. Unless otherwise specifically limited by their terms, proxies shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any postponement or adjournment of a meeting, and no proxy shall be valid after eleven months from its date. A Shareholder who has submitted a proxy may revoke or withdraw the proxy with respect to any matter to be considered at a meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof if such revocation or withdrawal is properly received prior to the vote on that matter. A Shareholder may also revoke a prior proxy prior to a vote on a matter by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by attending the meeting or the adjournment or postponement thereof and voting in person on the matter or matters.

 

9.7 Conduct of Meetings.           Meetings of the Shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman, or, if the Chairman is not present at the meeting, by another Trustee or officer designated by the Chairman, or is there is no such designee present at the meeting, then by the most senior officer of the Trust present at the meeting and such person shall be deemed for all purposes the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall determine the order of business of the meeting and may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such actions as, in the discretion of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. For any matter to be properly before any meeting of Shareholders, the matter must be specifically identified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of a majority of the Trustees then in office or otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the chairman of the meeting, in the

 


chairman’s sole direction. With the exception of Shareholder proposals submitted in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provisions, only matters proposed by the Trustees may be included in the Trust’s proxy materials. The Trustees may from time to time in their discretion provide for procedures by which Shareholders may, prior to any meeting at which Trustees are to be elected, submit the names of potential candidates for Trustee, to be considered by the Trustees, or any proper committee thereof. At all meetings of Shareholders, unless 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. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

9.8 Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of Shareholders, the Trustees, or at the meeting, the chairman of the meeting, may appoint Inspectors of Election to act at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Unless otherwise instructed by the Trustees or the chairman of the meeting, 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 and consents, determine the results, and do such other acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10

Books and Records; Writings

 

10.1 Books and Records. The books and records of the Trust and any Series or Classes thereof, including the share ledger or ledgers, may be kept in or outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at such office or offices of the Trust and/or its agents as may from time to time be determined by the officers of the Trust.

 

10.2 Access to Book and Records. The Shareholders shall only have such right to inspect the records, documents, accounts and books of the Trust or any Series or Class thereof as may be granted from time to time by the Trustees in their sole discretion.

 

10.3 Writings.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, except as the Trustees may otherwise determine:

 

(i)  any requirements in the Declaration or in the By-laws that any action be taken by means of any writing, including, without limitation, any written instrument, any written consent or any written agreement, shall be deemed to be satisfied by means of any electronic record in such form that is acceptable to the Trustees provided such form is capable of conversion into a written form within a reasonable time; and

 

(ii)  any requirements in the Declaration or in the By-laws that any writing be signed shall be deemed to be satisfied by any electronic signature in such form that is acceptable to the Trustees.

 


 

ARTICLE 11

Amendments to the Bylaws

 

11.1 General. These Bylaws may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part, by a majority of the Trustees then in office at any meeting of the Trustees, or by one or more writings signed by such a majority.

 

 

EX-99.D.1 5 exd1-inv.htm

Exhibit (d)(1)

AMENDED AND RESTATED

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, dated as of June 1, 2006, among DWS Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the Funds listed on Schedule I to this Agreement (each a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”), and Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Adviser”), effective with respect to each Fund as of the date set out with respect to such Fund on Schedule I to this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time.

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is engaged in business as an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Trust engages in the business of investing and reinvesting the assets of each Fund in accordance with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions specified in the currently effective Prospectus (the “Prospectus”) and Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) of each Fund included in the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as amended from time to time (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Trust under the Investment Company Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is engaged principally in rendering investment management services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser to provide investment management services to each Fund on the terms set out in this Agreement, and the Adviser is willing to provide investment management services to each Fund on the terms set out in this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser desire to amend and restate the current Investment Management Agreement for each Fund, dated March 14, 2005 for DWS Capital Growth Fund, May 2, 2005 for DWS Growth & Income Fund, April 5, 2002 for DWS Large Company Growth Fund, April 5, 2002 for DWS Small Cap Core Fund, and April 5, 2002 for DWS S&P 500 Index Fund.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained in this Agreement, the Trust, each Fund and the Adviser agree as follows:

 

 

1.

Appointment and Services.

 

(a)          The Trust appoints the Adviser to act as investment manager to each Fund. The Adviser accepts its appointment and agrees to provide the services set out in this Agreement for the compensation set out in this Agreement.

 


(b)          Subject to the terms of this Agreement, and the supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser will provide continuing investment management of the assets of each Fund in accordance with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and SAI of the Fund; the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder; the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), relating to regulated investment companies and all rules and regulations thereunder; and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In connection with the services provided under this Agreement, the Adviser will use best efforts to manage each Fund so that it will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and regulations issued under the Code. The Adviser will also monitor, to the extent not monitored by the Fund’s administrator or other agent, each Fund’s compliance with its investment and tax guidelines and other compliance policies. Each Fund will have the benefit of the investment analysis and research, the review of current economic conditions and trends and the consideration of long-range investment policy generally available to the Adviser’s investment advisory clients. In managing each Fund in accordance with the requirements set out in this Section 1, the Adviser will be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel for the Trust or a Fund.

 

(c)           The Adviser will determine the securities and other instruments to be purchased, sold or entered into by each Fund and place orders with broker-dealers, foreign currency dealers, futures commission merchants or others pursuant to the Adviser’s determinations and all in accordance with each Fund’s policies as set out in the Prospectus and SAI of the Fund or as adopted by the Board of Trustees and disclosed to the Adviser. The Adviser will determine what portion of each Fund's portfolio will be invested in securities and other assets and what portion, if any, should be held uninvested in cash or cash equivalents.

 

(d)    The Adviser will provide assistance to the Board of Trustees in valuing the securities and other instruments held by each Fund, to the extent reasonably required by such valuation policies and procedures as may be adopted by each Fund.

 

(e)    The Adviser will maintain in accordance with applicable law all books and records required of investment advisers under the Advisers Act, and will make available to the Board of Trustees such records upon request.

 

(f)     The Adviser also agrees to make available to the Board of Trustees the following:

 

 

(i)

periodic reports on the investment performance of each Fund;

 

 

(ii)

          additional reports and information related to the Adviser’s duties under this Agreement as the Board of Trustees may reasonably request; and

 


(iii)        to the extent held by the Adviser, all of each Fund's investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust in complying with the requirements of the Investment Company Act and other applicable laws.

 

To the extent required by law, the Adviser will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with the services provided under this Agreement that may be requested.

 

(g)         The Adviser will also provide to each Fund’s administrator, custodian, fund accounting agent, shareholder service agents, transfer agents and other service providers, as required, and to the extent held by the Adviser, information relating to all transactions concerning the assets belonging to the Fund, in each case subject to compliance with applicable privacy standards.

 

 

2.

Investment Management Fee.

 

(a)          Except as provided below in this Section 2, for all services to be rendered, payments to be made and costs to be assumed by the Adviser as provided under this Agreement, the Trust on behalf of each Fund will pay the Adviser in United States Dollars following the last day of each month the unpaid balance of a fee equal to the sum of all the daily management accruals from the previous month. The daily management accrual is calculated on a daily basis by multiplying a Fund’s prior day’s net assets by the fee rates set forth on Schedule II to this Agreement and dividing that product by the number of days in that year. The Adviser will be entitled to receive during any month such interim payments of its fee under this Section 2 as it will request, provided that no such payment will exceed 75 percent of the amount of its fee then accrued on the books of a Fund and unpaid.

 

(b)          The “average daily net assets” of each Fund will mean the average of the values placed on the Fund's net assets as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on each day on which the net asset value of the Fund is determined consistent with the provisions of Rule 22c-1 under the Investment Company Act or, if the Fund lawfully determines the value of its net assets as of some other time on each business day, as of such time. The value of the net assets of each Fund will always be determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust, as amended from time-to-time (the “Declaration”) and the Registration Statement. If the determination of net asset value for a Fund does not take place for any particular day, then for the purposes of this Section 2, the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined will be deemed to be the value of its net assets as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time), or as of such other time as the value of the net assets of the Fund's portfolio may be lawfully determined on that day. If a Fund determines the value of the net assets of its portfolio more than once on any day, then the last such determination thereof on that day will be deemed to be the sole determination thereof on that day for the purposes of this Section 2.

 


(c)         The Adviser may from time to time agree not to impose all or a portion of its fee otherwise payable under this Agreement and/or undertake to pay or reimburse a Fund for all or a portion of its expenses not otherwise required to be paid by or reimbursed by the Adviser. Unless otherwise agreed, any fee reduction or undertaking may be discontinued or modified by the Adviser at any time. For the month and year in which this Agreement becomes effective or terminates, there will be an appropriate pro ration of any fee based on the number of days that the Agreement is in effect during such month and year, respectively.

 

(d)         All rights to compensation under this Agreement for services performed as of the termination of this Agreement shall survive the termination.

 

(e)         No fee shall be due under this Agreement with respect to a Fund if the Trustees invest substantially all of the Fund's investment assets in a registered investment company which operates as a "master portfolio."

 

 

3.

Expenses.

 

(a)         Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Section 3 or as determined by the Board of Trustees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Adviser will pay the compensation and expenses of all Trustees, officers and executive employees of the Trust (including a Fund's share of payroll taxes) who are affiliated persons of the Adviser, and the Adviser will make available, without expense to any Fund, the services of such of its directors, officers and employees as may duly be elected officers of the Trust, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any limitations imposed by law. The Adviser will provide at its expense the services described in this Agreement.

 

(b)         The Adviser will not be required to pay any expenses of the Trust or of a Fund other than those specifically allocated to it in this Section 3. In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser will not be responsible, except to the extent of the reasonable compensation of such of the Trust's Trustees and officers as are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser whose services may be involved, for the following expenses of a Fund: fees payable to the Adviser; outside legal, accounting or auditing expenses including with respect to expenses related to negotiation, acquisition, or distribution of portfolio investments; maintenance of books and records which are maintained by the Trust, a Fund's custodian or other agents of the Trust; taxes and governmental fees; fees and expenses of a Fund's accounting agent, custodians, sub-custodians, depositories (for securities and/or commodities), transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents and registrars; payment for portfolio pricing or valuation services to pricing agents, accountants, bankers and other specialists, if any; brokerage commissions or other costs of acquiring or disposing of any portfolio securities or other instruments of a Fund; and litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund’s business.

 


(c)         The Adviser will not be required to pay expenses of any activity which is primarily intended to result in sales of shares of a Fund (the “Shares”) if and to the extent that (i) such expenses are required to be borne by a principal underwriter that acts as the distributor of the Fund's Shares pursuant to an underwriting agreement that provides that the underwriter will assume some or all of such expenses, or (ii) the Trust on behalf of the Fund will have adopted a plan in conformity with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act providing that the Fund (or some other party) will assume some or all of such expenses. The Adviser will pay such sales expenses as are not required to be paid by the principal underwriter pursuant to the underwriting agreement or are not permitted to be paid by a Fund (or some other party) pursuant to such a plan.

 

4.           Delegation of Investment Management Services. Subject to the prior approval of a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons”, and, to the extent required by applicable law, by the shareholders of a Fund, the Adviser may, through a sub-advisory agreement or other arrangement, delegate to a sub-advisor any of the duties enumerated in this Agreement, including the management of all or a portion of the assets being managed. Subject to the prior approval of a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons”, and, to the extent required by applicable law, by the shareholders of a Fund, the Adviser may adjust such duties, the portion of assets being managed, and the fees to be paid by the Adviser; provided, that in each case the Adviser will continue to oversee the services provided by such company or employees and any such delegation will not relieve the Adviser of any of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

5.

Selection of Brokers and Affiliated Transactions.

 

(a) Subject to the policies established by, and any direction from the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Adviser will be responsible for selecting the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales for a Fund. Subject to the foregoing, it is understood that the Adviser will not be deemed to have acted unlawfully, or to have breached a fiduciary duty to the Trust or be in breach of any obligation owing to the Trust under this Agreement, or otherwise, solely by reason of its having directed a securities transaction on behalf of a series to a broker-dealer in compliance with the provisions of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or as otherwise permitted from time to time by a series’ Prospectus and SAI.

 

(b)         Subject to the policies established by, and any direction from, a Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Adviser may direct any of its affiliates to execute portfolio transactions for a Fund on an agency basis. The commissions paid to the Adviser’s affiliates must be in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the Investment Company Act.

 

(c)         The Adviser and any of its affiliates will not deal with a Trust or any of its affiliates in any transaction in which the Adviser or any of its affiliates acts as a principal with respect to any part of a Fund order, except in compliance with the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations under the Investment Company Act and any

 


applicable SEC or SEC staff guidance or interpretation. If the Adviser or any of its affiliates is participating in an underwriting or selling group, a Fund may not buy securities from the group except in accordance with policies established by the Board of Trustees in compliance with the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations under the Investment Company Act and any applicable SEC or SEC staff guidance or interpretation.

 

(d)             The Adviser will promptly communicate to a Fund’s administrator and to the officers and the Trustees of a Trust such information relating to portfolio transactions as they may reasonably request.

 

 

6.

Limitation of Liability of Manager.

 

(a)         As an inducement to the Adviser undertaking to provide services to the Trust and each Fund pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust and each Fund agrees that the Adviser will not be liable under this Agreement for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or a Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, provided that nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to protect or purport to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust, a Fund or its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

 

(b)         The rights of exculpation provided under this Section 6 are not to be construed so as to provide for exculpation of any person described in this Section for any liability (including liability under U.S. federal securities laws that, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith) to the extent (but only to the extent) that exculpation would be in violation of applicable law, but will be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of this Section 6 to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

 

 

7.

Term and Termination.

 

(a)         This Agreement will remain in force with respect to each party until September 30, 2006 and continue in force from year to year thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the respective Fund. The requirement that continuance of this Agreement be “specifically approved at least annually” will be construed in a manner consistent with the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations under the Investment Company Act and any applicable SEC or SEC staff guidance or interpretation.

 


(b)         This Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Trust's Board of Trustees on 60 days' written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 60 days' written notice to the Trust. This Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined under the Investment Company Act).

 

8.           Amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged, or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge, or termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement will be effective until approved in a manner consistent with the Investment Company Act, rules and regulations under the Investment Company Act and any applicable SEC or SEC staff guidance or interpretation.

 

9.            Services Not Exclusive. The Adviser’s services to the Trust and each Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not exclusive and it is understood that the Adviser may render investment advice, management and services to other persons (including other investment companies) and to engage in other activities, so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired by such other activities. It is understood and agreed that officers or directors of the Adviser may serve as officers or Trustees of the Trust, and that officers or Trustees of the Trust may serve as officers or directors of the Adviser to the extent permitted by law; and that the officers and directors of the Adviser are not prohibited from engaging in any other business activity or from rendering services to any other person, or from serving as partners, officers, trustees or directors of any other firm, trust or corporation, including other investment companies. Whenever a Fund and one or more other accounts or investment companies advised by the Adviser have available funds for investment, investments suitable and appropriate for each will be allocated in accordance with procedures believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each entity over time. Similarly, opportunities to sell securities will be allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each entity over time. The Trust and each Fund recognize that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position that may be acquired or disposed of for a Fund.

 

10.        Avoidance of Inconsistent Position. In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities and other investments for the account of a Fund, neither the Adviser nor any of its directors, officers, or employees will act as a principal or agent or receive any commission, except in accordance with applicable law and policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Adviser or its agent will arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities and other investments for a Fund's account with brokers or dealers selected by it in accordance with Fund policies as expressed in the Registration Statement. If any occasion should arise in which the Adviser gives any advice to its clients concerning the Shares of a Fund, it will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Fund.

 

11.        Additional Series. In the event the Trust establishes one or more Funds after the effective date of this Agreement, such Funds will become Funds under this Agreement upon

 


approval of this Agreement by the Board of Trustees with respect to the Funds and the execution of an amended Schedule I reflecting the Funds.

 

12.        Delivery of Documents. Copies of the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus and SAI have been furnished to the Adviser by the Trust. The Trust has also furnished the Adviser with copies properly certified or authenticated of each of the following additional documents related to the Trust and each Fund:

 

 

(i)

  The Declaration dated November 3, 1987, as amended and/or restated to date, together with all filed certificates regarding the establishment and designation of a series of Shares of the Trust, to the extent applicable.

 

 

(ii)

  By-Laws of the Trust as in effect on the date hereof.

 

 

(iii)

  Resolutions of the Trustees of the Trust approving the form of this Agreement.

 

The Trust will promptly furnish the Adviser from time to time with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements, if any, to the foregoing, including the Prospectus, the SAI and the Registration Statement.

 

 

13.

Limitation of Liability for Claims.

 

(a)         The Declaration, a copy of which, together with all amendments thereto, is on file in the Office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name “DWS Investment Trust” refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees and not as individuals or personally, and that no shareholder of a Fund, or Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust, will be subject to claims against or obligations of the Trust or of the Fund to any extent whatsoever, but that the Trust estate only will be liable.

 

(b)         The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of liability as set forth in the Declaration and it agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust on behalf of each Fund pursuant to this Agreement will be limited in all cases to a Fund and its assets, and it will not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Fund or any other series of the Trust, or from any Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of each Fund, or series, under the Declaration are separate and distinct from those of any and all other series.

 

 

14.

Miscellaneous.

 

(a)    The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more

 


counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(b)    Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Investment Company Act will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Investment Company Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States Courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC issued pursuant to the Investment Company Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Investment Company Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the SEC or any rules or regulations adopted by, or interpretative releases of, the SEC thereunder, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such order, rule, regulation or interpretative release.

 

(c)    This Agreement will be construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to choice of law or conflicts of law principles thereof, provided that nothing in this Agreement will be construed in a manner inconsistent with the Investment Company Act, or in a manner which would cause a Fund to fail to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.

 

(d)         This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter, and supersedes any and all prior understandings.

 

(e)          If any provision, term or part of this Agreement is deemed to be void, unenforceable, or invalid for any reason by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect as if such invalid provision, term or part was not a part of this Agreement.

 

(f)     This Agreement will supersede all prior investment advisory or management agreements entered into between the Adviser and the Trust on behalf of a Fund.

 

[The rest of this page is intentionally blank]

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

DWS Investment Trust

 

By: /s/John Millette

 

Name: John Millette

 

Title: Vice President & Secretary

 

 

DWS Investment Trust, on

behalf of the Funds set out on Schedule I

 

By: /s/John Millette

 

Name: John Millette

 

Title: Vice President & Secretary

 

 

Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.

 

By: /s/Michael Colon

 

Name: Michael Colon

 

Title: Chief Operating Officer

 


SCHEDULE I

FUNDS

 

Fund

Effective Date of this Agreement

DWS Capital Growth Fund

June 1, 2006

DWS Growth & Income Fund

June 1, 2006

DWS Large Company Growth Fund

June 1, 2006

DWS Small Cap Core Fund

June 1, 2006

DWS S&P 500 Index Fund

July 1, 2006

 

 


SCHEDULE II

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE RATES

(as a percentage of net assets)

 

Fund

Investment Management Fee Rate

DWS Capital Growth Fund

First $250 million 0.495%

Next $750 million 0.465%

Next $1.5 billion 0.445%

Next $2.5 billion 0.425%

Next $2.5 billion 0.395%

Next $2.5 billion 0.375%

Next $2.5 billion 0.355%

0.335% thereafter

 

DWS Growth & Income Fund

First $250 million 0.365%

Next $750 million 0.360%

Next $1.5 billion 0.355%

Next $5.0 billion 0.345%

Next $5.0 billion 0.335%

Next $5.0 billion 0.325%

0.300% thereafter

 

DWS Large Company Growth Fund

First $1.5 billion 0.615%

Next $500 million 0.565%

0.515% thereafter

 

DWS Small Cap Core Fund

First $500 million 0.665%

Next $500 million 0.615%

0.565% thereafter

 

DWS S&P 500 Index Fund

0.150% - if conditions of Section 2. (e) are not met, otherwise the rate is 0.000%

 

 

 

 

 

EX-99.H.12 6 exh12.htm

Exhibit (h)(12)

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, dated as of June 1, 2006, among DWS Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the Funds listed on Schedule I to this Agreement (each a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”), and Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Administrator“), effective with respect to each Fund as of the date set out with respect to such Fund on Schedule I to this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time.

WHEREAS, the Trust is engaged in business as an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”); and

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Administrator and its permitted designees to provide certain administrative and fund accounting (the “Services”) to the Trust and the Funds on the terms set out in this Agreement, and the Administrator and its designees are willing to provide the Services to the Trust and each Fund on the terms set out in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained in this Agreement, the Trust, each Fund, and the Administrator agree as follows:

 

1.

Appointment and Services.

(a)          The Trust appoints the Administrator to provide the administrative services set out in Appendix A to this Agreement (the “Administrative Services”) for the benefit of the Trust and the Funds. The Administrator accepts its appointment and agrees to provide the Administrative Services for the compensation set out in this Agreement.

(b)          The Trust appoints the Administrator to provide the fund accounting services set out in Appendix B to this Agreement (the “Fund Accounting Services”) for the benefit of the Trust and the Funds. The Administrator accepts its appointment and agrees to provide the Fund Accounting Services for the compensation set out in this Agreement.

 

2.

Fees.

(a)          For all Administrative Services and Fund Accounting Services provided under this Agreement, the Administrator will be compensated as set out on Appendix C.

(b)          The Administrator may from time to time agree not to impose all or a portion of its fee otherwise payable under this Agreement and/or undertake to pay or reimburse the Trust for all or a portion of its expenses not otherwise required to be paid by or reimbursed by the Administrator. Unless otherwise agreed, any fee reduction or undertaking may be discontinued or modified by the Administrator at any time. For the month and year in which this Agreement becomes effective or terminates, there will be

 



an appropriate pro ration of any fee based on the number of days that the Agreement is in effect during such month and year, respectively.

(c)          The Administrator will not be required to pay expenses of any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of a Fund if and to the extent that (i) such expenses are required to be borne by a principal underwriter which acts as the distributor of a Fund’s shares pursuant to an underwriting agreement which provides that the underwriter shall assume some or all of such expenses, or (ii) the Trust on behalf of a Fund will have adopted a plan in conformity with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act providing that a Fund (or some other party) will assume some or all of such expenses. The payment of any fees pursuant to a Plan, for each class, is subject to and contingent upon, the continued effectiveness of a duly adopted Plan authorizing the payment for such class.

 

3.

Expenses.

(a)          Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Administrator will pay all costs it incurs in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Administrator will pay the compensation and expenses of all of its personnel and will make available, without expense to the Trust, the services of its officers and employees as may duly be elected officers or Trustees of the Trust, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any limitations imposed by law.

(b)          The Administrator will not be required to pay any expenses of the Trust other than those specifically allocated to the Administrator in this Agreement. In particular, but without limiting the generality of the previous sentence, the Administrator will not be required to pay the following Trust expenses: (i) organization expenses of a Fund (including out-of-pocket expenses, but not including the Administrator’s overhead or employee costs); (ii) fees payable to the Adviser and to any other advisors or consultants of a Fund; (iii) except as otherwise agreed with the Board of Trustees, fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (iv) payment for portfolio pricing or valuation services to pricing agents, accountants, bankers and other specialists, if any; (v) outside legal, accounting or auditing expenses; (vi) interest, insurance premiums, taxes or governmental fees; (vii) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust’s business; (viii) the expenses of and fees for registering or qualifying shares of the Trust for sale and of maintaining the registration of the Trust and registering the Trust as a broker or a dealer, if applicable; (ix) the compensation and all expenses (specifically including travel expenses relating to Trust business) of Trustees, officers and employees of the Trust who are not affiliated persons of the Administrator; (x) expenses of printing, preparing, edgarizing, mailing and filing Prospectuses (each a “Prospectus”) and Statements of Additional Information (each, an “SAI”) of a Fund, any supplements thereto, and any other regulatory filings for the Trust or a Fund; (xi) any direct charges to shareholders approved by the Board of Trustees; (xii) costs of shareholders’ and other meetings; (xiii) costs in connection with the tabulation of proxies; (xiv) costs incurred in connection with registering with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (xv) transfer agency and custodian expenses; and

 



(xvi) record-keeping and record retrieval costs associated with compliance under the Investment Company Act.

 

4.

Delegation.

(a)          The Administrator, upon prior notice to the Trust and in compliance with applicable law, may delegate any of the Services, or adjust any prior delegation, to any other person or persons that the Administrator controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, or to specified employees of any such persons, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

(b)          Subject to prior approval of a majority of the members of a Fund’s Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons,” and, to the extent required by applicable law, by the shareholders of a Fund, the Administrator, upon prior consent of the Trust and in compliance with applicable law, may delegate or outsource any of the Services, or adjust any prior delegation or outsourcing, to any other person or persons unaffiliated with the Administrator or to specified employees of any such persons, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

(c)          Notwithstanding any delegation under clauses (a) or (b) of this Section 4, the Administrator will continue to supervise the Services provided by such persons or employees and any delegation will not relieve the Administrator of any of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

5.

Indemnification.

(a)          The Administrator will exercise reasonable care and diligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

(b)          As an inducement to the Administrator undertaking to provide services to Trust and each Fund pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust and each Fund agrees that the Administrator will not be liable under this Agreement for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or a Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, provided that nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to protect or purport to protect the Administrator against any liability to the Trust, a Fund or its shareholders to which the Administrator would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

(c)          At any time the Administrator may apply to any officer of a Fund for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel for a Fund, at the expense of the Fund, with respect to any matter arising in connection with this Agreement; and it will not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon such instructions or upon the advice of such counsel. The Administrator is authorized to act on the orders, directions or instructions of such persons as the Board of Trustees from time to time designates by resolution. The Administrator will be protected in acting upon any paper or document, including any orders, directions or instructions, reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons; and the

 



Administrator will not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person so authorized by a Fund until receipt of written notice from the Fund.

(d)          In carrying out the Fund Accounting Services under this Agreement the Administrator will be entitled to receive, and may rely upon, information furnished it by means of Proper Instructions (as defined below), including but not limited to: (i) the manner and amount of accrual of expenses to be recorded on the books of each Fund; (ii) the source of quotations to be used for securities as may not be available through the Administrator's normal pricing services; (iii) the value to be assigned to any asset for which no price quotations are readily available; (iv) if applicable, the manner of computation of the public offering price and other computations as may be necessary; (v) transactions in portfolio securities; (vi) transactions in capital shares; and (vii) information received from any third party transfer agent of a Fund.

"Proper Instructions" means any certificate, letter or other instrument or telephone call reasonably believed by the Administrator to be genuine and to have been properly made or signed by any authorized officer of a Fund or person reasonably believed by the Administrator as being authorized by the Board of Trustees of a Fund. Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices as from time to time agreed to by an authorized officer of a Fund and the Administrator.

 

6.

Term and Termination.

(a)          This Agreement will remain in force until September 30, 2006 and continue in force from year to year thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” of any party to this Agreement.

(b)          This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. Either party to this Agreement may terminate this Agreement or any Service under this Agreement without penalty by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed to the other party. A Fund may effect a termination under this Agreement by a vote of (i) a majority of the Trustees of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Agreement or in any other agreement related to this Agreement or (ii) a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Any termination under this Section will take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days after the date of delivery or mailing of such notice of termination, unless a Fund terminates this Agreement or Service under this Agreement due to a material failure of the Administrator to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement or with respect to the Service, in which case the termination will take effect immediately. Upon termination, the Administrator (or any designee of the Administrator) will turn over to the Trust or its designee, and cease to be obligated to retain in the Administrator’s files, any and all records pertaining to the terminated Services under this Agreement; provided, however, the Administrator (or its designee) in its discretion may make and retain copies of any and all such records and documents that it determines appropriate or for its protection.

 



 

7.            Amendment. This Agreement, including any Schedule or Appendix to this Agreement, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties.

8.            Services Not Exclusive. The Administrator's services pursuant to this Agreement are not exclusive, and it is understood that the Administrator may perform similar services for other persons. In acting under this Agreement, the Administrator will be an independent contractor and not an agent of the Trust or the Funds. The Administrator and its affiliates, by separate agreement with the Trust or a Fund, may also serve the Trust or a Fund in other capacities.

9.            Other Interests. It is understood that the Trustees and Officers of the Trust and the shareholders of the Funds are or may be or become interested in the Administrator or its affiliates as directors, officers, employees, shareholders or otherwise and that directors, officers, employees and shareholders of the Administrator and its affiliates are or may be or become similarly interested in the Funds, and that the Administrator and its affiliates may be or become interested in the Funds as shareholder or otherwise. It is also understood that directors, officers, employees and shareholders of the Administrator and its affiliates may be or become interested (as directors, officers, employees, shareholders or otherwise) in other companies or entities (including but not limited to, other investment companies) controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Administrator, its affiliates or subsidiaries or which the Administrator, its affiliates or subsidiaries may in the future organize, sponsor or acquire, or with which they may merge or consolidate.

 

10.

Limited Recourse.

(a)          With respect to any claim by the Administrator for recovery of that portion of any fees or reimbursable expenses (or any other liability of a Fund arising under this Agreement) related to a particular series and class of a Fund, whether in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or otherwise, the Administrator will have recourse solely against the assets of that series and class to satisfy the claim and will have no recourse against the assets of any other series and class of any Fund.

 

(b)              The Trust's Declaration of Trust, as amended from time-to-time (the “Declaration”), a copy of which, together with all amendments thereto, is on file in the Office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name “DWS Investment Trust” refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees and not as individuals or personally, and that no shareholder of a Fund, or Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust, will be subject to claims against or obligations of the Trust or of the Fund to any extent whatsoever, but that the Trust estate only will be liable.

 

(c)          The Administrator is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of liability as set forth in the Declaration and it agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust on behalf of each Fund pursuant to this Agreement will be limited in all cases to a Fund and its assets, and it will not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Fund or any other series of the Trust, or from any Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust. The Administrator understands that the

 



rights and obligations of each Fund, or series, under the Declaration are separate and distinct from those of any and all other series.

11.          Internal Controls.      The Administrator will maintain sufficient policies and procedures to reasonably ensure its ability to perform the services under this Agreement, and will monitor compliance with its policies and procedures.

 

12.

Miscellaneous.

(a)           The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

(b)           In interpreting the provisions of this Agreement, the definitions under the Investment Company Act (particularly the definitions of “interested person,” “affiliated person,” “assignment” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities”) will be applied, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation, or order.

(c)          In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Trust and the Administrator may agree from time to time on interpretations of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as in their joint opinions may be consistent with this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions will be in writing, signed by both parties and annexed, but no such provisions will be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.

(d)          If the Administrator is prevented from complying, either totally or in part, with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, by reason of fire, flood, storm, strike, lockout or other labor trouble, riot, war, rebellion, accidents, acts of God, acts of terrorism, equipment, utility or transmission failure or damage, and/or any other cause or casualty beyond the reasonable control of the Administrator, whether similar to the foregoing matters or not, then, upon written notice to a Fund, the requirements of this Agreement that are affected by such disability, to the extent so affected, will be suspended during the period of such disability; provided, however, that the Administrator will make reasonable effort to remove such disability as soon as possible.

(e)          This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely in that jurisdiction, without regard to that jurisdiction’s conflict of laws provisions, provided that nothing in this Agreement will be construed in a manner inconsistent with the Investment Company Act, or in a manner which would cause a Fund to fail to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(f)           This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter, and supersedes any and all prior understandings.

 



 

(g)          If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder will not be affected.

(i)           Any notice required under this Agreement will be sufficiently given when delivered or mailed to the other party at the address of such party set out below or to such other persons or at such address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party.

 

If to Trust:

DWS Investment Trust

 

 

John Millette

 

 

Two International Place, 10th Floor

 

Boston, MA 02110-4103

 

 

 

If to Administrator:

Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.

 

Michael Colon

 

 

345 Park Avenue

 

 

New York, NY 10154

 

 

(j)           Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as required by law, the Administrator will keep confidential all records of and information in its possession relating to the Trust, and or its shareholders or shareholder accounts and will not disseminate those records and information except at the request of or with the consent of a Fund.

[The rest of this page is intentionally blank]

 

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and the Administrator have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

DWS Investment Trust

 

By: ____________________________

 

Name: John Millette

 

 

Title: Vice President & Secretary

 

 

DWS Investment Trust, on

behalf of the Funds set out on Schedule I

 

By: ____________________________

 

Name: John Millette

 

 

Title: Vice President & Secretary

 

 

Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.

 

By: ______________________________

 

Name: Michael Colon

 

 

Title: Chief Operating Officer

 

 



 

SCHEDULE I

FUNDS

Fund

Effective Date of this Agreement

DWS Capital Growth Fund

June 1, 2006

DWS Growth & Income Fund

June 1, 2006

DWS Large Company Growth Fund

June 1, 2006

DWS Small Cap Core Fund

June 1, 2006

DWS S&P 500 Index Fund

July 1, 2006

 

 

 



 

APPENDIX A

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Services

Subject to the oversight and control of the Trustees of the Trust, the Administrator will manage, supervise and conduct all business and affairs of the Trust in connection with its operation as an open-end fund, other than those governed by the Investment Management Agreement or otherwise provided by other parties, including without limitation:

1.            provide the Trust with personnel as are reasonably necessary to perform the Services;

2.            arrange for the preparation and filing for the Trust of all required tax returns;

3.            (a) the preparation and submission of reports and meeting materials to the Board of Trustees and to existing shareholders and (b) prepare and file the periodic updating of the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information and prepare and file any currently required or to be required reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory and self-regulatory authorities including, but not limited to, preliminary and definitive proxy materials, post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, semi-annual reports on Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, and notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act;

4.            maintain all of the Trust’s records as required by the Investment Company Act, except for those records to be maintained by the investment adviser under the Investment Management Agreement or by another party under any other agreement with the Trust;

5.            provide the Trust with adequate office space and all necessary office equipment and services, including but not limited to telephone service, heat, utilities, stationary supplies and similar items;

6.            supervise, negotiate contractual arrangements with (to the extent appropriate) and monitor the performance of, third party accounting agents, custodians, depositories, transfer agents, pricing agents, independent accountants and auditors, attorneys, printers, insurers and other persons in any capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable to Trust or Fund operations;

 

7.

oversee the tabulation of proxies;

8.            monitor the valuation of portfolio securities and monitor compliance with board-approved valuation procedures;

 

9.

assist in establishing the accounting and tax policies of each Fund;

 

 



 

10.          assist in the resolution of accounting issues that may arise with respect to each Fund's operations and consulting with each Fund's independent accountants, legal counsel and each Fund's other agents as necessary in connection therewith;

 

11.

establish and monitor each Fund's operating expense budgets;

12.          review each Fund’s bills and process the payment of bills that have been approved by an authorized person of the applicable Fund;

13.          assist each Fund in determining the amount of dividends and distributions available to be paid by each Fund to its shareholders, preparing and arranging for the printing of dividend notices to shareholders, and providing the transfer agent and the custodian with the information that is required for those parties to effect the payment of dividends and distributions;

14.          provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably request, including but not limited to reports concerning the services of the administrator, custodian, shareholder service and transfer agents;

 

15.

provide assistance with investor and public relations matters;

16.         monitor the registration of shares under applicable federal and state securities law; and

17.          otherwise assist the Trust as it may reasonably request in the conduct of each Fund's business.

 



 

APPENDIX B

FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES

Services

 

Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Administrator will provide the following fund accounting services to the Trust:

 

1.            Maintain and preserve all accounts, books, financial records and other documents as are required of each Fund under Section 31 of the Investment Company Act and Rules 31a-1, 31a-2 and 31a-3 under the Investment Company Act, applicable federal and state laws and any other law or administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to a Fund, other than (a) those accounts, books and financial records required to be maintained by a Fund's custodian or (b) transfer agent and/or books and records maintained by all other service providers necessary for a Fund to conduct its business as a registered open-end management investment company. All such books and records shall be the property of the applicable Fund and will at all times during regular business hours be open for inspection by, and will be surrendered promptly upon request of, duly authorized officers of the Fund. All such books and records will at all times during regular business hours be open for inspection, upon request of duly authorized officers of the applicable Fund, by employees or agents of the applicable Fund and employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2.     Record the current day's trading activity and other proper bookkeeping entries as are necessary for determining that day's net asset value and net income.

3.     Maintain records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles to the extent required under applicable law.

4.     Calculate performance for each Fund, including the total return yield, the SEC yield and the distribution yield.

5.     Render statements or copies of records as from time to time are reasonably requested by a Fund.

6.     Facilitate audits of accounts by a Fund's independent public accountants or by any other auditors employed or engaged by a Fund or by any regulatory body with jurisdiction over the applicable Fund.

7.     Compute each Fund's net asset value per share, and, if applicable, its public offering price and/or its daily dividend rates and money market yields, in accordance with this Agreement and notify the applicable Fund and any other persons as that Fund may reasonably request of the net asset value per share, the public offering price and/or its daily dividend rates and money market yields. In connection with the computation:

(i)           The Administrator will compute each Fund's net asset value, including net income, in a manner consistent with the specific provisions

 



of the Registration Statement. The computation will be made as of the time or times specified in each Fund’s Registration Statement.

(ii)          The Administrator will compute the daily dividend rates and money market yields, if applicable, in accordance with the methodology set out in each Fund’s Registration Statement.

(iii)         For purposes of valuing the securities of a Fund, securities will be valued in accordance with (a) that Fund's Registration Statement; (b) the resolutions of the Board of Trustees of each Fund at the time in force and applicable, as they may from time to time be delivered to the Administrator, and (c) Proper Instructions from the officers of each Fund or other persons as are from time to time authorized by the Board of Trustees of the applicable Fund to give instructions with respect to computation and determination of the net asset value. The Administrator may use one or more external pricing services, including broker-dealers, provided that an appropriate officer of the applicable Fund will have approved such use in advance.

 



 

APPENDIX C

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES FEE SCHEDULE

The Trust on behalf of each Fund will pay the Administrator in United States Dollars following the last day of each month the unpaid balance of a fee equal to the sum of all the daily management accruals from the previous month. The daily management accrual is calculated on a daily basis by multiplying a Fund’s prior day’s net assets by the specific percentage indicated in the schedule below and dividing that product by the number of days in that year. The Administrator will be entitled to receive during any month such interim payments of its fee under this Agreement as it will request, provided that no such payment will exceed 75 percent of the amount of its fee then accrued on the books of a Fund and unpaid.

The “average daily net assets” of each Fund will mean the average of the values placed on the Fund's net assets as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on each day on which the net asset value of the Fund is determined consistent with the provisions of Rule 22c-1 under the Investment Company Act or, if the Fund lawfully determines the value of its net assets as of some other time on each business day, as of such time. The value of the net assets of each Fund will always be determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Trust's Declaration, as amended from time-to-time and the Registration Statement. If the determination of net asset value for a Fund does not take place for any particular day, then for the purposes of this Agreement, the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined will be deemed to be the value of its net assets as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time), or as of such other time as the value of the net assets of the Fund's portfolio may be lawfully determined on that day. If a Fund determines the value of the net assets of its portfolio more than once on any day, then the last such determination thereof on that day will be deemed to be the sole determination thereof on that day for the purposes of this Agreement.

Fund

Fee Rate

DWS Capital Growth Fund

0.100%

DWS Growth & Income Fund

0.100%

DWS Large Company Growth Fund

0.100%

DWS Small Cap Core Fund

0.100%

DWS S&P 500 Index Fund

0.100%

 

 

 

 

EX-99.H.13 7 exh13-inv.htm

Exhibit (h)(13)

AMENDMENT

TO THE AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

AMENDMENT No. 2

 

This AMENDMENT NO. 2 is made as February 7, 2006 to that certain AGENCY AGREEMENT (together with the exhibits attached here and thereto, this “Agreement”), dated November 13, 2000 by and between DWS Investment Trust (the “Trust”) and DWS SCUDDER INVESTMENTS SERVICE COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the “Agent”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree to amend the Agreement as follows:

1.

The following is hereby inserted as a new Section 5 D:

 

Reference is made herein to the January 15, 2003 agreement, by and between DST SYSTEMS, INC. (“DST”) and DWS SCUDDER INVESTMENTS SERVICE COMPANY and all subsequent amendments to that agreement (“DST Agreement”). The DST Agreement provides for the fulfillment of SISC’s transfer agency services outlined in this Agreement by DST and delegated pursuant to Section 21 C of this Agreement. Exhibit D of the DST Agreement provides for certain service level bonuses and liquidated damages based on the quality of services provided. The parties agree that all liquidated damage payments made by DST to SISC or its affiliates in respect of the Fund pursuant to Sections C or D of Exhibit D of the DST Agreement shall be passed through to the Fund, and that all bonus payments payable by SISC in respect of the Fund pursuant to Section E of Exhibit D of the DST Agreement shall be an obligation of, and borne by, the Fund. The standards for these payments will be negotiated as provided for in Section of Exhibit D of the DST Agreement. All payments made pursuant to this amendment shall be charged or credited to the funds based on the relative number of accounts subject to the Annual Per Account Fee under the Retail and IRA Account Fee Schedule, except omnibus accounts and Matrix Level III accounts. The Retail and IRA Account Fee Schedule does not cover wholesale money funds and is to be distinguished from the Retirement Account Fee Schedule. The number of accounts will be measured on the last day of the period with respect to which the charge or credit is to be assessed. SISC shall report to the Board of the Fund at least annually regarding any adjustments to anticipated call volumes, and shall report to the Fund as least semi-annually regarding any liquidated damage payments or bonus payments paid to or by the Fund, as the case may be.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officer as of the day and year first set forth above.

 

DWS INVESTMENT TRUST

 

 

By:

/s/John Millette

 

 

Name:

John Millette

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Secretary

 

ATTEST:

 

/s/Caroline Pearson

Name: Caroline Pearson

Title: Assistant Secretary

DWS SCUDDER INVESTMENTS SERVICE COMPANY

 

 

By:

/s/Barbara Wizer

 

Name: Barbara Wizer

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

ATTEST:

 

/s/Kristine Lyons

Name: Kristine Lyons

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

EX-99.J 8 exj-inv.txt Exhibit (j) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM -------------------------------------------------------- We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of DWS Investment Trust (formerly Investment Trust) on Form N-1A ("Registration Statement") of our report dated September 25, 2006 relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appears in the July 31, 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders of DWS Large Company Growth Fund (formerly Scudder Large Company Growth Fund), which is also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial Highlights", "Financial Statements" and "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in such Registration Statement. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - ----------------------------- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Boston, Massachusetts November 28, 2006 EX-99.Q 9 exq-inv.txt DWS INVESTMENT TRUST Power of Attorney KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the following persons, whose signatures appear below, do hereby constitute and appoint Thomas Connors, John Millette and Caroline Pearson, and each of them, severally, or if more than one acts, a majority of them, their true and lawful attorney and agent to execute in their name, place and stead (in such capacity) any and all amendments to enable DWS INVESTMENT TRUST (the "Trust") to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and any rules, regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A pursuant to the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, together with any and all pre- and post-effective amendments thereto, including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a trustee of the Trust such Registration Statement and any and all such pre- and post-effective amendments filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, and any other instruments or documents related thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or either of them or their substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
- ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- SIGNATURES TITLE DATE - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Henry P. Becton, Jr. Trustee June 27, 2006 - ------------------------ Henry P. Becton, Jr. - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Dawn-Marie Driscoll Trustee June 27, 2006 - ----------------------- Dawn-Marie Driscoll - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Keith R. Fox Trustee June 27, 2006 - ---------------- Keith R. Fox - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Kenneth C. Froewiss Trustee June 27, 2006 - ----------------------- Kenneth C. Froewiss - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Martin J. Gruber Trustee June 27, 2006 - -------------------- Martin J. Gruber - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Richard J. Herring Trustee June 27, 2006 - ---------------------- Richard J. Herring - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Graham E. Jones Trustee June 27, 2006 - ------------------- Graham E. Jones - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Rebecca W. Rimel Trustee June 27, 2006 - -------------------- Rebecca W. Rimel - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Philip Saunders, Jr. Trustee June 27, 2006 - ------------------------ Philip Saunders, Jr. - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ William N. Searcy, Jr. Trustee June 27, 2006 - -------------------------- William N. Searcy, Jr. - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Jean Gleason Stromberg Trustee June 27, 2006 - -------------------------- Jean Gleason Stromberg - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Carl W. Vogt Trustee June 27, 2006 - ---------------- Carl W. Vogt - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- /s/ Axel Schwarzer Trustee June 27, 2006 - ------------------ Axel Schwarzer - ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
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