WITTER DEAN DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LP - 10-Q Quarterly Report

Back to GetFilings.com

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X] Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 0-23577

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 13-3461507
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

Demeter Management Corporation
330 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (212) 905-2700

825 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10022

(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report)

Indicate by check-mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No___________

Indicate by check-mark whether the registrant is an accelerated
filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes No X

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

September 30, 2004

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
(Unaudited)

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2004

(Unaudited)

The unaudited financial statements contained herein include, in
the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of the results of operations and financial condition
of Dean Witter Diversified Futures Fund Limited Partnership (the
"Partnership"). The financial statements and condensed notes
herein should be read in conjunction with the Partnership's
December 31, 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

1. Organization
Dean Witter Diversified Futures Fund Limited Partnership is a
Delaware limited partnership organized to engage primarily in the
speculative trading of futures and forward contracts on physical
commodities and other commodity interests, including, but not
limited to, foreign currencies, financial instruments, metals,
energy, and agricultural products.

The Partnership's general partner is Demeter Management
Corporation ("Demeter"). The non-clearing commodity broker is
Morgan Stanley DW Inc. ("Morgan Stanley DW"). The clearing
commodity brokers are Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("MS &
Co.") and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited ("MSIL").
The trading manager is Morgan Stanley Futures & Currency
Management Inc. ("MSFCM" or the "Trading Manager"). Demeter,
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Morgan Stanley DW, MS & Co., MSIL, and MSFCM are wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley.

On February 27, 2002, the Partnership received notification of a
preliminary entitlement to payment from the Sumitomo Copper
Litigation Settlement Administrator, and the Partnership has
received settlement award payments in the amount of $2,144,660 as
of August 30, 2002 and $21,124 as of July 30, 2004. Any amounts
received are accounted for in the period received, for the benefit
of the limited partners at the date of receipt.

2. Related Party Transactions
The Partnership's cash is on deposit with Morgan Stanley DW, MS &
Co., and MSIL in futures and forwards trading accounts to meet
margin requirements as needed. Monthly, Morgan Stanley DW pays
the Partnership interest income equal to 80% of its average daily
Net Assets for the month at a prevailing rate on U.S. Treasury
bills. The Partnership pays brokerage commissions to Morgan
Stanley DW. Management fees and incentive fees (if any) incurred
by the Partnership are paid to MSFCM.

3. Financial Instruments
The Partnership trades futures and forward contracts on physical
commodities and other commodity interests, including, but not
limited to, foreign currencies, financial instruments, metals,
energy, and agricultural products. Futures and forwards
represent contracts for delayed delivery of an instrument at a
specified date and price. Risk arises from changes in the value
of these contracts and the potential inability of counterparties
to perform under the terms of the contracts. There are numerous
factors which may significantly influence the market value of
these contracts, including interest rate volatility.

The market value of exchange-traded contracts is based on the
settlement price quoted by the exchange on the day with respect
to which market value is being determined. If an exchange-traded
contract could not have been liquidated on such day due to the
operation of daily limits or other rules of the exchange, the
settlement price shall be the settlement price on the first
subsequent day on which the contract could be liquidated. The
market value of off-exchange-traded contracts is based on the
fair market value quoted by the counterparty.

The Partnership's contracts are accounted for on a trade-date
basis and marked to market on a daily basis. The Partnership
accounts for its derivative investments in accordance with the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"
("SFAS No. 133"). SFAS No. 133 defines a derivative as a

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

financial instrument or other contract that has all three of the
following characteristics:
1) One or more underlying notional amounts or payment
provisions;
2) Requires no initial net investment or a smaller initial net
investment than would be required relative to changes in
market factors;
3) Terms require or permit net settlement.

Generally, derivatives include futures, forward, swaps or options
contracts, and other financial instruments with similar
characteristics such as caps, floors, and collars.

The net unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts, reported as a
component of "Equity in futures interests trading accounts" on the
Statements of Financial Condition, and their longest contract
maturities were as follows:

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses)
on Open Contracts Longest Maturities

Exchange- Off-Exchange- Exchange- Off-Exchange-
Date Traded Traded Total Traded Traded
$ $ $

Sep. 30, 2004 2,710,832 (1,043,774) 1,667,058 Jun. 2006 Jan. 2005
Dec. 31, 2003 2,257,994 255,869 2,513,863 Mar. 2004 Mar. 2004

The Partnership has credit risk associated with counterparty non-
performance. The credit risk associated with the instruments in

which the Partnership trades is limited to the amounts reflected
in the Partnership's Statements of Financial Condition.

The Partnership also has credit risk because Morgan Stanley DW, MS
& Co., and MSIL act as the futures commission merchants or the
counterparties, with respect to most of the Partnership's assets.
Exchange-traded futures and forward contracts are marked to market
on a daily basis, with variations in value settled on a daily
basis. Morgan Stanley DW, MS & Co., and MSIL, each as a futures
commission merchant for the Partnership's exchange-traded futures
and forward contracts, are required, pursuant to regulations of
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), to segregate
from their own assets, and for the sole benefit of their commodity
customers, all funds held by them with respect to exchange-traded
futures and forward contracts, including an amount equal to the
net unrealized gains (losses) on all open futures and forward
contracts, which funds, in the aggregate, totaled $56,976,838 and
$72,707,134 at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003,
respectively. With respect to the Partnership's off-exchange-
traded forward currency contracts, there are no daily exchange-
required settlements of variation in value nor is there any
requirement that an amount equal to the net unrealized gains
(losses) on open forward contracts be segregated. However, the
Partnership is required to meet margin requirements equal to the
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONCLUDED)

net unrealized loss on open contracts in the Partnership accounts
with the counterparty, which is accomplished by daily maintenance
of the cash balance in a custody account held at Morgan

Stanley DW for the benefit of MS & Co. With respect to those off-
exchange-traded forward currency contracts, the Partnership is at
risk to the ability of MS & Co., the sole counterparty on all such
contracts, to perform. The Partnership has a netting agreement
with MS & Co. This agreement, which seeks to reduce both the
Partnership's and MS & Co.'s exposure on off-exchange-traded
forward currency contracts, should materially decrease the
Partnership's credit risk in the event of MS & Co.'s bankruptcy or
insolvency.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Liquidity. The Partnership deposits its assets with Morgan
Stanley DW as non-clearing broker, and MS & Co. and MSIL as
clearing brokers in separate futures and forwards trading accounts
established for the Trading Manager, which assets are used as
margin to engage in trading and may be used as margin solely for
the Partnership's trading. The assets are held in either non-
interest bearing bank accounts or in securities and instruments
permitted by the CFTC for investment of customer segregated or
secured funds. Since the Partnership's sole purpose is to trade
in futures and forwards, it is expected that the Partnership will
continue to own such liquid assets for margin purposes.

The Partnership's investment in futures and forwards may, from
time to time, be illiquid. Most U.S. futures exchanges limit
fluctuations in prices during a single day by regulations referred
to as "daily price fluctuations limits" or "daily limits". Trades
may not be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. If the
price for a particular futures contract has increased or decreased
by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in that futures
contract can neither be taken nor liquidated unless traders are
willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures prices
have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive
days with little or no trading. These market conditions could
prevent the Partnership from promptly liquidating its futures
contracts and result in restrictions on redemptions.
There is no limitation on daily price moves in trading
forward contracts on foreign currencies. The markets for some
world currencies have low trading volume and are illiquid, which
may prevent the Partnership from trading in potentially profitable
markets or prevent the Partnership from promptly liquidating
unfavorable positions in such markets, subjecting it to
substantial losses. Either of these market conditions could
result in restrictions on redemptions. For the periods covered by
this report, illiquidity has not materially affected the
Partnership's assets.

There are no known material trends, demands, commitments, events
or uncertainties at the present time that are reasonably likely to
result in the Partnership's liquidity increasing or decreasing in
any material way.

Capital Resources. The Partnership does not have, nor expects to
have, any capital assets. Redemptions of units of limited
partnership interest ("Unit(s)") in the future will affect the
amount of funds available for investment in futures and forwards
in subsequent periods. It is not possible to estimate the amount,
and therefore the impact, of future redemptions of Units.

There are no known material trends, favorable or
unfavorable, that would affect, nor any expected material changes
to, the Partnership's capital resource arrangements at the
present time.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations. The
Partnership does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, nor
does it have contractual obligations or commercial commitments to
make future payments that would affect its liquidity or capital
resources.

Results of Operations
General. The Partnership's results depend on the Trading Manager
and the ability of the Trading Manager's trading programs to take
advantage of price movements in the futures and forwards markets.
The following presents a summary of the Partnership's operations
for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and
2003 and a general discussion of its trading activities during
each period. It is important to note, however, that the Trading
Manager trades in various markets at different times and that
prior activity in a particular market does not mean that such
market will be actively traded by the Trading Manager or will be
profitable in the future. Consequently, the results of
operations of the Partnership are difficult to discuss other than
in the context of the Trading Manager's trading activities on
behalf of the Partnership during the period in question. Past
performance is no guarantee of future results.

The Partnership's results of operations set forth in the financial
statements on pages 2 through 11 of this report were prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America, which require the use of certain
accounting policies that affect the amounts reported in these
financial statements, including the following: The contracts the
Partnership trades are accounted for on a trade-date basis and
marked to market on a daily basis. The difference between their
cost and market value is recorded on the Statements of Operations
as "Net change in unrealized trading profit (loss)" for open
(unrealized) contracts, and recorded as "Realized trading profit
(loss)" when open positions are closed out. The sum of these
amounts, along with the "Proceeds from Litigation Settlement",
constitutes the Partnership's trading results. The market value
of a futures contract is the settlement price on the exchange on
which that futures contract is traded on a particular day. The
value of foreign currency forward contracts is based on the spot
rate as of the close of business, New York City time, on a given
day. Interest income revenue, as well as management fees,
incentive fees, and brokerage commission expenses of the
Partnership are recorded on an accrual basis.

Demeter believes that, based on the nature of the operations of
the Partnership, no assumptions relating to the application of
critical accounting policies other than those presently used could
reasonably affect reported amounts.

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
The Partnership recorded revenues including interest income
totaling $1,491,215 and expenses totaling $1,035,490, resulting
in net income of $455,725 for the three months ended September
30, 2004. The Partnership's net asset value per Unit increased
from $1,108.03 at June 30, 2004 to $1,117.53 at September 30,
2004.

The most significant trading gains of approximately 5.2% were
generated in the energy markets, primarily during July and
September, from long positions in crude oil as prices
strengthened due to continuing fears about potential terrorist
attacks against the production and refining facilities in Saudi
Arabia and Iraq, concerns that top Russian oil producer, Yukos,
may break up or stop selling oil, major disruptions in oil
production in the Gulf of Mexico due to Hurricane Ivan, and
growing civil unrest in Nigeria. Elsewhere in the energy
markets, gains were recorded during August from short positions
in natural gas futures as prices drifted lower due to record
reserves and heavily reduced market demand. Additional gains of
approximately 1.9% were recorded in the global interest rate
futures markets, primarily during August and September, from long
positions in European interest rate futures as prices trended
higher, boosted by a surge in oil prices, uncertainty in the
global equity markets, and testimony by U.S. Federal Reserve
Chairman Alan Greenspan depicting a somewhat less optimistic view
about the immediate future of the U.S. economy. Smaller
gains of approximately 0.6% were experienced in the agricultural
markets during July and September from short positions in corn
futures as prices weakened due to ideal weather conditions in the
growing region of the U.S. midwest, reports of increased
inventories by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and weak
export demand. A portion of the Partnership's overall gains for
the quarter was offset by losses of approximately 4.1% recorded
in the currency markets during July and September from positions
in the Australian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar as the value
of the Australian dollar moved without consistent direction due
to volatility in gold prices, geopolitical concerns regarding
terror warnings in the Pacific Rim, and the decision by the
Reserve Bank of Australia to raise interest rates. Elsewhere in
the currency markets, losses resulted from positions in the euro
versus the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen as the value of the
euro experienced short-term price volatility throughout the
quarter due to higher energy prices and uncertainty about the
direction of the "euro-zone" economy. Smaller losses were
incurred, primarily during September, from short positions in the
Swiss franc against the U.S. dollar as the Swiss currency's
"safe-haven" status pushed its value higher in reaction to major
geopolitical concerns. Within the metals markets, losses of
approximately 1.8% were experienced during September from short
positions in nickel futures as base metals prices increased on
continued demand from China and reports of lower-than-expected
inventories. Elsewhere in the metals markets, losses were
recorded primarily during July from short positions in copper
futures as prices moved higher due to speculation of increased
demand and reduced supply from Mexico. Smaller losses of
approximately 0.4% were recorded in the global stock index
futures markets during July and August from short positions in
S&P 500 Index futures as prices temporarily bounced higher due to
better-than-expected economic data.

The Partnership recorded losses net of interest income totaling
$7,813,092 and expenses totaling $4,015,619, resulting in a net
loss of $11,828,711 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
The Partnership's net asset value per Unit decreased from
$1,347.21 at December 31, 2003 to $1,117.53 at September 30,
2004.

The most significant trading losses of approximately 18.4% were
recorded in the currency markets from positions in the Japanese
yen versus the U.S. dollar. These losses were experienced
primarily during the first and second quarters from both long and
short positions in the yen relative to the U.S. dollar as the
value of the yen experienced significant short-term price
volatility. Conflicting economic data regarding a Japanese
economic recovery, uncertainty regarding a currency market
intervention by the Bank of Japan, geopolitical concerns stemming
from instability in Iraq, and uncertainty regarding the direction
of U.S. and Japanese interest rates contributed to the yen's
trendless price movement. Losses were also recorded from
positions in the Singapore dollar against the U.S. dollar as the
value of the Singapore dollar experienced significant
"whipsawing" during the first and second quarters in tandem with
the Japanese yen. The price volatility in the Japanese yen also
resulted in losses from crossrate positions in the euro versus
the Japanese yen for the aformentioned reasons. In the third
quarter, however, volatility in the euro was responsible for
losses in euro/Japanese yen crossrate positions as the value of
the euro moved in a trendless pattern throughout the quarter due
to higher energy prices and uncertainty about the direction of
the "euro-zone" economy. Additional losses of approximately 2.4%
were incurred in the metals markets, primarily during April, from
long futures positions in gold as precious metals prices weakened
due to the strength in the U.S. dollar. Elsewhere in the metals
markets, losses were recorded primarily during September from
short positions in nickel futures as base metals prices increased
on continued demand from China and reports of lower-than-expected
inventories. Smaller losses of approximately 0.7% were recorded
in the global stock index futures markets during March and May
from long positions in S&P 500 Index futures as equity prices
decreased on geopolitical concerns. During July and August,
short positions in S&P 500 Index futures resulted in further
losses as prices temporarily bounced higher due to better-than-
expected U.S. economic data. A portion of the Partnership's
overall losses for the first nine months of the year was offset
by gains of approximately 3.3% in the energy markets. During
February, May, July, and September, long positions in crude oil
profited as prices trended higher due to consistent news
of tight supply, continuing geopolitical concerns in the Middle
East, concerns that top Russian oil producer, Yukos, may break up
or stop selling oil, major disruptions in oil production in the
Gulf of Mexico due to Hurricane Ivan, and growing civil unrest in
Nigeria. Additional gains of approximately 2.6% were experienced
in the agricultural markets during January, March, and June from
long positions in corn futures as prices increased on news of
strong demand from Asia. Further gains were experienced during
July and August from short positions in corn futures as prices
weakened due to ideal weather conditions in the growing regions
of the U.S. midwest, reports of increased inventories by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, and weaker export demand. Elsewhere
in the agricultural complex, gains were recorded from short
positions in cotton futures, primarily during March, April, June,
and July, as prices trended lower amid rising supplies and news
of a consistent decline in demand from China. Smaller gains of
approximately 0.9% were recorded in the global interest rate
futures markets from long positions in European interest rate
futures during February, March, August, and September as prices
rallied on uncertainty in the global equity markets,
disappointing economic data, "safe-haven" buying amid major
geopolitical concerns, and a surge in oil prices.

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
The Partnership recorded losses net of interest income totaling
$7,540,513 and expenses totaling $2,047,568, resulting in a net
loss of $9,588,081 for the three months ended September 30,
2003. The Partnership's net asset value per Unit decreased from
$1,585.52 at June 30, 2003 to $1,411.93 at September 30, 2003.

The most significant trading losses of approximately 6.0% were
recorded in the global interest rate markets primarily during
September from short positions in Japanese, European, and U.S.
interest rate futures as bond prices reversed higher due to
renewed skepticism regarding a global economic recovery and lower
global equity prices. Additional losses of approximately 2.6%
were recorded in the agricultural markets, primarily during
September, from short coffee futures positions, as weak coffee
crop estimates coupled with dry Brazilian weather caused prices to
reverse higher. Elsewhere in the agricultural markets, losses
were recorded from positions in cotton futures, primarily during
August, as prices moved without consistent direction. Losses of
approximately 0.9% were recorded in the currency markets from long
positions in the Australian dollar versus the U.S. dollar during
July as the value of the U.S. currency strengthened amid better
than expected U.S. earnings data. In the metals markets, losses
of approximately 0.9% resulted during August from long futures
positions in aluminum and copper as base metal prices were weighed
down by heavy technically-based selling and expectations for
increased output during 2004. Smaller losses of approximately
0.7% were recorded in the global stock index markets during early
August and September from long positions in S&P 500 Index futures
as global equity prices retreated amid a broad-based sell-off
prompted by a steady stream of economic data that raised
concerns about the strength of the global economy.

The Partnership recorded revenues including interest income
totaling $2,068,125 and expenses totaling $7,687,145, resulting in
a net loss of $5,619,020 for the nine months ended September 30,
2003. The Partnership's net asset value per Unit decreased from
$1,528.82 at December 31, 2002 to $1,411.93 at September 30, 2003.

The most significant trading losses of approximately 5.8% were
incurred in the metals markets during May and June from short
positions in aluminum and copper futures as prices reversed
higher, buoyed by a rebound in U.S. equity prices and hopes for
increased industrial demand. During August, long futures
positions in aluminum and copper experienced losses as prices were
weighed down by heavy technically-based selling and expectations
for increased output during 2004. Additional losses of
approximately 4.6% were recorded in the agricultural markets from
positions in coffee and cotton futures as prices experienced
short-term volatile movement throughout a majority of the year.
Smaller losses of approximately 3.6% were experienced in the
global interest rate markets from short positions in Japanese,
Australian and European interest rate futures during September as
bond prices reversed higher due to renewed skepticism regarding a
global economic recovery and lower equity prices. Further losses
in this sector stemmed from long positions in Australian interest
rate futures during March as prices reversed sharply lower amid
reports of advancing Coalition forces in the Persian Gulf
region. A portion of the Partnership's overall losses during the
first nine months of the year was offset by gains of approximately
6.7% in the energy markets stemming from long positions in natural
gas futures as prices trended higher during January and February
in response to prolonged frigid temperatures in the northeastern
and midwestern U.S. Additional gains in the energy markets were
recorded during the same time period from long positions in crude
oil futures as prices increased amid the looming threat of
military action against Iraq and an overall decline in
inventories. During July, short positions in natural gas futures
yielded gains as prices declined amid increased reserves and mild
summer weather conditions. In the currency markets, gains of
approximately 4.6% were produced from positions in the euro versus
the British pound during January as the value of the pound
decreased due to weak economic data out of the U.K. and an
interest rate cut by the Bank of England. Additional currency
gains were recorded from long positions in the Australian dollar
versus the U.S. dollar during January, February, April and May as
the value of the Australian currency increased on the heels of
higher commodity prices and a significant interest rate
differential between the two countries. During May, gains
resulted from long positions in the euro versus the Japanese yen
as the value of the euro continued to trend higher following the
European Central Bank's decision to leave interest rates
unchanged.
Item 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
MARKET RISK

Introduction

The Partnership is a commodity pool engaged primarily in the
speculative trading of futures and forwards. The market-
sensitive instruments held by the Partnership are acquired for
speculative trading purposes only and, as a result, all or
substantially all of the Partnership's assets are at risk of
trading loss. Unlike an operating company, the risk of market-
sensitive instruments is inherent to the primary business activity
of the Partnership.

The futures and forwards traded by the Partnership involve
varying degrees of related market risk. Market risk is often
dependent upon changes in the level or volatility of interest
rates, exchange rates, and prices of financial instruments and
commodities, factors that result in frequent changes in the fair
value of the Partnership's open positions, and consequently in
its earnings, whether realized or unrealized, and cash flow.
Gains and losses on open positions of exchange-traded futures and
forward contracts are settled daily through variation margin.
Gains and losses on off-exchange-traded forward currency
contracts are settled upon termination of the contract, however,
the Partnership is required to meet margin requirements equal to
the net unrealized loss on open contracts in the Partnership
accounts with the counterparty, which is accomplished by daily
maintenance of the cash balance in a custody account held
at Morgan Stanley DW for the benefit of MS & Co.

The Partnership's total market risk may increase or decrease as
it is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including, but not
limited to, the diversification among the Partnership's open
positions, the volatility present within the markets, and the
liquidity of the markets.

The face value of the market sector instruments held by the
Partnership is typically many times the applicable margin
requirements. Margin requirements generally range between 2% and
15% of contract face value. Additionally, the use of leverage
causes the face value of the market sector instruments held by
the Partnership to typically be many times the total
capitalization of the Partnership.

The Partnership's past performance is no guarantee of its future
results. Any attempt to numerically quantify the Partnership's
market risk is limited by the uncertainty of its speculative
trading. The Partnership's speculative trading and use of
leverage may cause future losses and volatility (i.e., "risk of
ruin") that far exceed the Partnership's experience to date under
the "Partnership's Value at Risk in Different Market Sectors"
section and significantly exceed the Value at Risk ("VaR") tables
disclosed.

Limited partners will not be liable for losses exceeding
the current net asset value of their investment.

Quantifying the Partnership's Trading Value at Risk
The following quantitative disclosures regarding the Partnership's
market risk exposures contain "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for
such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). All
quantitative disclosures in this section are deemed to be forward-
looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor, except for
statements of historical fact.

The Partnership accounts for open positions on the basis of mark
to market accounting principles. Any loss in the market value of
the Partnership's open positions is directly reflected in the
Partnership's earnings and cash flow.

The Partnership's risk exposure in the market sectors traded by
the Trading Manager is estimated below in terms of VaR. The
Partnership estimates VaR using a model based upon historical
simulation (with a confidence level of 99%) which involves
constructing a distribution of hypothetical daily changes in the
value of a trading portfolio. The VaR model takes into account
linear exposures to risk including equity and commodity prices,
interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and correlation among
these variables. The hypothetical changes in portfolio
value are based on daily percentage changes observed in key market
indices or other market factors ("market risk factors") to which
the portfolio is sensitive. The one-day 99% confidence level of
the Partnership's VaR corresponds to the negative change in
portfolio value that, based on observed market risk factors, would
have been exceeded once in 100 trading days, or one day in 100.
VaR typically does not represent the worst case outcome. Demeter
uses approximately four years of daily market data (1,000
observations) and revalues its portfolio (using delta-gamma
approximations) for each of the historical market moves that
occurred over this time period. This generates a probability
distribution of daily "simulated profit and loss" outcomes. The
VaR is the appropriate percentile of this distribution. For
example, the 99% one-day VaR would represent the 10th worst
outcome from Demeter's simulated profit and loss series.

The Partnership's VaR computations are based on the risk
representation of the underlying benchmark for each instrument or
contract and do not distinguish between exchange and non-exchange
dealer-based instruments. They are also not based on exchange
and/or dealer-based maintenance margin requirements.

VaR models, including the Partnership's, are continually evolving
as trading portfolios become more diverse and modeling techniques
and systems capabilities improve. Please note that the VaR model
is used to numerically quantify market risk for historic
reporting purposes only and is not utilized by either Demeter or
the Trading Manager in their daily risk management activities.
Please further note that VaR as described above may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities.

The Partnership's Value at Risk in Different Market Sectors
The following table indicates the VaR associated with the
Partnership's open positions as a percentage of total net assets
by primary market risk category at September 30, 2004 and 2003.
At September 30, 2004 and 2003, the Partnership's total
capitalization was approximately $55 million and $77 million,
respectively.

Primary Market September 30, 2004 September 30, 2003
Risk Category Value at Risk Value at Risk

Interest Rate (1.83)% (0.09)%
Currency (1.04) (1.97)
Equity - -
Commodity (2.56) (2.05)
Aggregate Value at Risk (4.06)% (3.01)%

The VaR for a market category represents the one-day downside risk
for the aggregate exposures associated with this market category.
The Aggregate Value at Risk listed above represents the VaR of the
Partnership's open positions across all the market categories, and
is less than the sum of the VaRs for all such market categories
due to the diversification benefit across asset classes.

Because the business of the Partnership is the speculative
trading of futures and forwards, the composition of its trading
portfolio can change significantly over any given time period, or
even within a single trading day, which could positively or
negatively materially impact market risk as measured by VaR.

The table below supplements the quarter-end VaR set forth above
by presenting the Partnership's high, low, and average VaR, as a
percentage of total net assets for the four quarter-end reporting
periods from October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004.

Primary Market Risk Category High Low Average
Interest Rate (2.15)% (0.85)% (1.73)%

Currency (2.79) (1.04) (1.83)

Equity (0.64) - (0.20)

Commodity (4.43) (0.64) (2.40)

Aggregate Value at Risk (5.69)% (2.44)% (3.94)%

Limitations on Value at Risk as an Assessment of Market Risk
VaR models permit estimation of a portfolio's aggregate market
risk exposure, incorporating a range of varied market risks;
reflect risk reduction due to portfolio diversification or hedging
activities; and can cover a wide range of portfolio assets.
However, VaR risk measures should be viewed in light of the
methodology's limitations, which include, but may not be limited
to the following:

? past changes in market risk factors will not always result in
accurate predictions of the distributions and correlations of
future market movements;
? changes in portfolio value caused by market movements may
differ from those of the VaR model;
? VaR results reflect past market fluctuations applied to current
trading positions while future risk depends on future
positions;
? VaR using a one-day time horizon does not fully capture the
market risk of positions that cannot be liquidated or hedged
within one day; and
? the historical market risk factor data used for VaR estimation
may provide only limited insight into losses that could be
incurred under certain unusual market movements.

In addition, the VaR tables above, as well as the past performance
of the Partnership, give no indication of the Partnership's
potential "risk of ruin".

The VaR tables provided present the results of the Partnership's
VaR for each of the Partnership's market risk exposures and on an
aggregate basis at September 30, 2004 and 2003, and for the four
quarter-end reporting periods from October 1, 2003 through
September 30, 2004. VaR is not necessarily representative of the
Partnership's historic risk, nor should it be used to predict the
Partnership's future financial performance or its ability
to manage or monitor risk. There can be no assurance that the
Partnership's actual losses on a particular day will not exceed
the VaR amounts indicated above or that such losses will not occur
more than once in 100 trading days.

Non-Trading Risk
The Partnership has non-trading market risk on its foreign cash
balances. These balances and any market risk they may represent
are immaterial.

The Partnership also maintains a substantial portion
(approximately 95% as of September 30, 2004) of its available
assets in cash at Morgan Stanley DW. A decline in short-term
interest rates would result in a decline in the Partnership's
cash management income. This cash flow risk is not considered to
be material.

Materiality, as used throughout this section, is based on an
assessment of reasonably possible market movements and any
associated potential losses, taking into account the leverage,
optionality, and multiplier features of the Partnership's market-
sensitive instruments, in relation to the Partnership's net
assets.

Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Primary Trading Risk Exposures
The following qualitative disclosures regarding the Partnership's
market risk exposures - except for (A) those disclosures that are
statements of historical fact and (B) the descriptions of how the
Partnership manages its primary market risk exposures -
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act. The Partnership's primary market risk
exposures, as well as the strategies used and to be used by
Demeter and the Trading Manager for managing such exposures, are
subject to numerous uncertainties, contingencies and risks, any
one of which could cause the actual results of the Partnership's
risk controls to differ materially from the objectives of such
strategies. Government interventions, defaults and expropria-
tions, illiquid markets, the emergence of dominant fundamental
factors, political upheavals, changes in historical price
relationships, an influx of new market participants, increased
regulation, and many other factors could result in material
losses, as well as in material changes to the risk exposures and
the risk management strategies of the Partnership. Investors
must be prepared to lose all or substantially all of their
investment in the Partnership.

The following were the primary trading risk exposures of the
Partnership at September 30, 2004, by market sector. It may be
anticipated, however, that these market exposures will
vary materially over time.

Interest Rate. The Partnership's primary market exposure at
September 30, 2004 was to the global interest rate futures
sector. Exposure was primarily spread across the European,
Japanese, and U.S. interest rate sectors. Interest rate
movements directly affect the price of the sovereign bond futures
positions held by the Partnership and indirectly affect the value
of its stock index and currency positions. Interest rate
movements in one country, as well as relative interest rate
movements between countries, materially impact the Partnership's
profitability. The Partnership's primary interest rate exposure
is generally to interest rate fluctuations in the U.S. and the
other G-7 countries. The G-7 countries consist of France, the
U.S., Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. However, the
Partnership also takes futures positions in the government debt
of smaller countries - e.g., Australia. Demeter anticipates that
the G-7 countries and Australian interest rates will remain the
primary interest rate exposure of the Partnership for the
foreseeable future. The speculative futures positions held by
the Partnership may range from short to long-term instruments.
Consequently, changes in short, medium or long-term interest
rates may have an effect on the Partnership.

Currency. The second largest market exposure of the Partnership
at September 30, 2004 was to the currency sector. The
Partnership's currency exposure is to exchange rate fluctuations,
primarily fluctuations which disrupt the historical pricing
relationships between different currencies and currency pairs.
Interest rate changes, as well as political and general economic
conditions influence these fluctuations. The Partnership trades
a number of currencies, including cross-rates - i.e., positions
between two currencies other than the U.S. dollar. At September
30, 2004, the Partnership's major exposures were to the euro,
Japanese yen, and British pound currency crosses, as well as to
outright U.S. dollar positions. Outright positions consist of
the U.S. dollar vs. other currencies. These other currencies
include major and minor currencies. Demeter does not anticipate
that the risk associated with the Partnership's currency trades
will change significantly in the future.

Commodity.
Energy. The Partnership's energy exposure at September 30,
2004 was shared primarily by futures contracts in crude oil
and natural gas. Price movements in these markets result
from geopolitical developments, particularly in the Middle
East, as well as weather patterns and other economic
fundamentals. Significant profits and losses, which have
been experienced in the past, are expected to continue to be
experienced in the future. Natural gas has exhibited
volatility in price resulting from weather patterns and
supply and demand factors and will likely continue in this
choppy pattern.

Metals. The Partnership's metals exposure at September 30,
2004 was to fluctuations in the price of precious metals,
such as gold, and base metals, such as copper, aluminum,
zinc, and nickel. Economic forces, supply and demand
inequalities, geopolitical factors, and market expectations
influence price movements in these markets. The Trading
Manager utilizes the trading system(s) to take positions
when market opportunities develop, and Demeter anticipates
that the Partnership will continue to do so.

Soft Commodities and Agriculturals. At September 30, 2004,
the Partnership had exposure to the markets that comprise
these sectors. Most of the exposure was to the coffee,
cocoa, corn, and soybean markets. Supply and demand
inequalities, severe weather disruptions, and market
expectations affect price movements in these markets.

Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Non-Trading Risk Exposure
The following was the only non-trading risk exposure of the
Partnership at September 30, 2004:

Foreign Currency Balances. The Partnership's primary
foreign currency balances at September 30, 2004 were in the
Japanese yen and Australian dollar. The Partnership
controls the non-trading risk of foreign currency balances
by regularly converting them back into U.S. dollars
upon liquidation of their respective positions.

Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Means of Managing Risk Exposure
The Partnership and the Trading Manager, separately, attempt to
manage the risk of the Partnership's open positions in essentially
the same manner in all market categories traded. Demeter attempts
to manage market exposure by diversifying the Partnership's assets
among different market sectors and trading approaches, and by
monitoring the performance of the Trading Manager daily. In
addition, the Trading Manager establishes diversification
guidelines, often set in terms of the maximum margin to be
committed to positions in any one market sector or market-
sensitive instrument.

Demeter monitors and controls the risk of the Partnership's non-
trading instrument, cash. Cash is the only Partnership investment
directed by Demeter, rather than the Trading Manager.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly
report, the President and Chief Financial Officer of
Demeter, the general partner of the Partnership, have
evaluated the effectiveness of the Partnership's
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act), and have
judged such controls and procedures to be effective.

(b) There have been no significant changes during the period
covered by this quarterly report in the Partnership's
internal controls or in other factors that could
significantly affect these controls subsequent to the
date of their evaluation.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Management. The following changes have been made to the Board
of Directors and Officers of Demeter:

Mr. Kevin Perry, Chief Financial Officer of Demeter, was confirmed
as a principal of Demeter by the National Futures Association on
September 3, 2004.

Mr. William D. Seugling, Director of Demeter, was confirmed as a
principal of Demeter by the National Futures Association on
October 11, 2004.

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(A) Exhibits

3.01 Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the
Partnership, dated as of June 30, 1995, is incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.01 of the Partnership's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-90360).
10.01 Amended and Restated Management Agreement among the
Partnership, Demeter and MSFCM, dated as of August 31,
1995, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 of
the Partnership's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(File No. 33-90360).
10.02 Amended and Restated Customer Agreement between the
Partnership and Morgan Stanley DW Inc., dated as of May
19, 2000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01
of the Partnership's Form 8-K (File No. 0-23577) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November
13, 2001.
10.03 Commodity Futures Customer Agreement between Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and the Partnership, and
acknowledged and agreed to by Morgan Stanley DW Inc.,
dated as of May 1, 2000, is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.02 of the Partnership's Form 8-K
(File No. 0-23577) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 13, 2001.
10.04 Customer Agreement between the Partnership and Morgan
Stanley & Co. International Limited, dated as of May 1,
2000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.04 of
the Partnership's Form 8-K (File No. 0-23577) filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13,
2001.
10.05 Foreign Exchange and Options Master Agreement between
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and the Partnership,
dated as of April 30, 2000, is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.05 of the Partnership's Form 8-K (File No.
0-23577) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 13, 2001.
10.06 Securities Account Control Agreement among the
Partnership, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and
Morgan Stanley DW Inc., dated as of May 1, 2000, is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.03 of the
Partnership's Form 8-K (File No. 0-23577) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2001.
31.01 Certification of President of Demeter Management
Corporation, the general partner of the Partnership,
pursuant to rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
31.02 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Demeter
Management Corporation, the general partner of the
Partnership, pursuant to rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e),
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.
32.01 Certification of President of Demeter Management
Corporation, the general partner of the Partnership,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.02 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Demeter
Management Corporation, the general partner of the
Partnership, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002.

(B) Reports on Form 8-K - None.

SIGNATURE

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

Dean Witter Diversified Futures
Fund Limited Partnership
(Registrant)

By: Demeter Management Corporation
(General Partner)

November 15, 2004 By:/s/Kevin Perry
Kevin Perry
Chief Financial Officer

The General Partner which signed the above is the only party
authorized to act for the Registrant. The Registrant has no
principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
controller, or principal accounting officer and has no Board of
Directors.

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONCLUDED)