Value investing risk. As a category, value stocks may underperform growth stocks (and the stock market as a whole) over any period of time. In addition, value stocks selected for investment by portfolio
management may not perform as anticipated.
Security selection risk. The securities in the fund’s portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, the relative
attractiveness of different securities or other matters.
Focus risk. To the extent that the fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or technological changes, or
economic conditions affecting companies in those industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the fund’s performance.
Liquidity risk. In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet
redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund.
Pricing risk. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value
determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment’s sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market
value when selling fund shares.
Securities lending risk. Any decline in the value of a portfolio security that occurs while the security is out on loan is borne by the fund and will adversely affect 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 holding the security.
Foreign investment risk. The fund faces the risks inherent in foreign investing. Adverse political, economic or social developments, as well as US and foreign government actions such as the imposition of tariffs,
economic and trade sanctions or embargoes, could undermine the value of the fund’s investments, prevent the fund from realizing the full value of its investments or prevent the fund from selling securities it
holds. In June 2016, citizens of the United Kingdom approved a referendum to leave the European Union (EU) and in March 2017, the United Kingdom initiated the formal process of withdrawing from the EU. On January 31,
2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the EU pursuant to a withdrawal agreement, providing for a transition period, initially through December 31, 2020, in which the United Kingdom will seek to negotiate
and finalize a trade deal with the EU, but that may be extended for up to two years. During
this transition period, the United Kingdom will
effectively remain in the EU from an economic perspective but will no longer have any political representation on the EU parliament. Significant uncertainty exists regarding the outcome of these negotiations and any
adverse economic and political effects it may have on the United Kingdom, other EU countries and the global economy.
Financial reporting standards for
companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the US. Additionally, foreign securities markets generally are smaller and less liquid than US markets. To the extent that the fund invests in non-US dollar
denominated foreign securities, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the US dollar value of foreign securities or the income or gain received on these securities.
Counterparty risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is
otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the
fund.
Operational and technology
risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that affect the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely
affect the fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations.
Past Performance
How a fund's returns vary from
year to year can give an idea of its risk; so can comparing fund performance to overall market performance (as measured by an appropriate market index). Past performance may not indicate future results. All
performance figures below assume that dividends and distributions were reinvested. For more recent performance figures, go to dws.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus) or call the telephone number
included in this prospectus.
Prior to April 1, 2014, the fund
had a different investment management team that operated with a different investment strategy. Performance would have been different if the fund's current strategy described above had been in effect.
The performance figures for Class
T shares prior to class inception are based on the historical performance of the fund’s Institutional Class shares adjusted to reflect the higher expenses and applicable sales charges of Class T.