Contents

4	Portfolio Management Review
9	Performance Summary
12	Portfolio Summary
14	Investment Portfolio
18	Statement of Assets and Liabilities
20	Statement of Operations
21	Statements of Changes in Net Assets
22	Financial Highlights
26	Notes to Financial Statements
39	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
41	Other Information
42	Information About Your Fund’s Expenses
44	Tax Information
45	Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
50	Board Members and Officers
56	Account Management Resources

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

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.

NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE

NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

DWS Communications Fund

Stocks may decline in value. Any fund that concentrates in a particular segment of the market will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly. Investing in foreign securities presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. This Fund is non-diversified and can take larger positions in fewer issues, increasing its potential risk. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. Please read the prospectus for details.

War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises, natural disasters, climate change and related geopolitical events have led and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in U.S. and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.

DWS Communications Fund

Portfolio Management Review(Unaudited)

Market Overview and Fund Performance

All performance information below is historical and does not guarantee future results. Returns shown are for Class A shares, unadjusted for sales charges. Investment return and principal fluctuate, so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please visit dws.com for the most recent month-end performance of all share classes. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had. Please refer to pages 9 through 11 for more complete performance information.

DWS Communications Fund returned 40.95% in the 12-month period that ended on December 31, 2023, trailing the 45.55% return for the MSCI World Communication Services Index but strongly outperforming the 28.62% average return for the funds in its Morningstar peer group, Communications.

Despite elevated and persistent worries about a wide range of macroeconomic issues, the financial markets posted robust gains in 2023. Investors were encouraged by economic data and corporate earnings results that exceeded the depressed expectations in place at the start of the year. In addition, major central banks slowed their pace of interest rate increases as inflation waned. Late in the year, commentary from U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) officials fueled optimism that central banks would begin to cut rates in 2024. These developments caused bond yields to fall sharply from their late October highs and led to a sizable rally in stocks.

Communications-related companies performed well in this environment and outpaced the 23.79% return of the broader equity market, as gauged by the MSCI World Index. Many companies’ greater emphasis on cost efficiency helped boost the valuations of their stocks. Newer forms of

Investment Process

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective through a combination of long-term growth of capital and, to a lesser extent, current income. In choosing securities, portfolio management emphasizes investments in companies offering products, services and enabling technologies in a wide spectrum from traditional communications to newer data-centric communications like the Internet and corporate networks.

DWS Communications Fund

content and content distribution saw accelerating market share gains in 2023, further driving the sector’s performance. The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) was also an important driver of returns at the individual stock level. While AI has been essential for most internet-related communications companies for more than a decade, the technology’s utility expanded in the past year as generative AI powered by large language models became more widely available to the public.

Shares of the two largest communications companies, Alphabet Inc. (parent of Google) and Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook) both moved sharply higher and made strong contributions to the return of the broader sector. Concerns about a slowdown in advertising-related revenue receded, and investors turned their attention to the growth and innovation at the two companies. Netflix, Inc., which emerged as a winner in the battle to gain market share in the streaming business, also performed very well. A number of smaller, internet-related stocks further contributed to the sector’s robust return amid investors’ broader preference for faster-growing companies. On the other hand, traditional telecommunications carriers — most notably, AT&T, Inc.* — underperformed.

Performance Attribution

The Fund’s cash position was the primary detractor from relative performance. Its weighting in cash averaged 4.2% for the period, which was slightly above average. While this position wasn’t large, it was enough to have a meaningful impact on results given the strength in the overall sector.

"The Fund’s holdings reflect our preference for companies we believe are in the best position to bring new innovations to the market.”

Holdings in the wireless tower operators American Tower Corp. and Crown Castle, Inc. also detracted. The initial 5G buildout has been largely completed, leading to slower near-term growth prospects for the two companies. Frontier Communications* was another detractor of note. While the company’s core business performed well, some of its legacy facilities may require lead cleanup issues. We exited the position given the difficulty of assessing the potential liability. Criteo SA, an advertising

DWS Communications Fund

technology company, also underperformed as the ramp-up in its business didn’t unfold as quickly as expected.

Our move to an overweight in Meta Platforms in late 2022 proved additive to relative performance. In addition to benefiting from the strengthening advertising market, Meta was aggressive in rationalizing its cost structure. Even more significantly, AI-driven enhancements to its content drove rising engagement and improvements in ad targeting and measurement. In addition, Meta increasingly became viewed as a leader in generative AI. Spotify Technology SA made a sizable contribution to the Fund’s results, as well. The company posted healthy, above-consensus growth in subscribers, revenues, and profitability. An overweight in Netflix further contributed to performance. The company’s strong content library, tighter rules regarding password sharing, and rollout of an advertising-supported offering all boosted the stock. Underweights in Walt Disney Co., which experienced weaker-than-expected growth in its streaming and parks businesses, and AT&T, which lagged amid the broader weakness in more defensive, higher-dividend companies, further contributed to relative performance.

Outlook and Positioning

While we believe the fundamentals and growth outlook for many companies in our investment universe remain robust, we also think the rally late in the year indicated excessive optimism about the potential for a “soft landing” scenario in the economy. We would therefore expect returns to cool somewhat from the levels achieved in 2023. With this said, it’s important to note that earnings growth in the communications space isn’t necessarily driven by the direction of the economy given the utility, value, and idiosyncratic growth drivers for the products and services offered by companies across the sector.

The Fund’s holdings reflect our preference for companies we believe are in the best position to bring new innovations to the market. This includes those adept at streaming, digital curation, and content curation. We continue to see opportunities in the large internet / interactive media companies, as well as in areas such as social media and video games. We also remain focused on companies that can enable digital experiences, as the innovation in streaming and interactive media increasingly requires the build-out of additional infrastructure. Our approach also translates to a tilt away from the legacy media area. While some companies in this industry

DWS Communications Fund

will adapt successfully, we think the changing environment will prove challenging for most. More broadly speaking, we continue to rely on our intensive fundamental research process to identify what we believe are the most compelling investment ideas in this diverse and dynamic sector.

Portfolio Management Team

Daniel Fletcher, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Equity

Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2017.

—Joined DWS in 2017 with twenty-four years of industry experience. Prior to joining, he worked in portfolio management and equity research at Neuberger Berman, with a focus on technology, media and telecommunications companies. Before that, he worked as a telecommunications services analyst and in equity research management at Lehman Brothers. Previously, he served in investment research and execution functions at The Batavia Group and as a structured finance analyst at Deloitte & Touche.

—Portfolio Manager and Analyst for US Equities: New York.

—BA in Communications from William Paterson University; MBA in Finance from Rutgers Graduate School of Management.

Sebastian P. Werner, PhD, Head of Investment Strategy Equity

Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2017.

—Joined DWS in 2008; previously, he served as a Research Assistant for the Endowed Chair of Asset Management at the European Business School, Oestrich-Winkel while earning his PhD.

—Portfolio Manager for Global and US Growth Equities: New York.

—MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management; Masters Degree (“Diplom-Kaufmann” ) and PhD in Finance (“Dr.rer.pol.” ) from the European Business School, Oestrich-Winkel.

The views expressed reflect those of the portfolio management team only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover. The management team’s views are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions and should not be construed as a recommendation. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.

Terms to Know

The MSCI World Communication Services Index is an unmanaged index designed to capture the large and mid-capitalization segments across 23 developed markets countries. All securities in the index are classified in the Communication Services sector as per the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®).

The Morningstar Communications Funds category consists of funds whose portfolios concentrate on telecommunications and media companies of various kinds. Most invest in some combination of cable television, wireless-communications and communications-equipment firms, as well as traditional phone companies. A few favor entertainment firms, mainly broadcasters, film studios, publishers and online service providers.

The MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index representing large and mid-cap equity performance across 23 developed markets countries. It covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

DWS Communications Fund

Performance SummaryDecember 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

Class A	1-Year	5-Year	10-Year
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/23
Unadjusted for Sales Charge	40.95%	8.28%	4.84%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge (max 5.75% load)	32.85%	7.01%	4.22%
MSCI World Index†	23.79%	12.80%	8.60%
MSCI World Communication Services Index††	45.55%	10.46%	5.22%

Class C	1-Year	5-Year	10-Year
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/23
Unadjusted for Sales Charge	39.87%	7.45%	4.04%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge (max 1.00% CDSC)	39.87%	7.45%	4.04%
MSCI World Index†	23.79%	12.80%	8.60%
MSCI World Communication Services Index††	45.55%	10.46%	5.22%

Class S	1-Year	5-Year	10-Year
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/23
No Sales Charges	41.31%	8.51%	5.06%
MSCI World Index†	23.79%	12.80%	8.60%
MSCI World Communication Services Index††	45.55%	10.46%	5.22%

Institutional Class	1-Year	5-Year	10-Year
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/23
No Sales Charges	41.31%	8.54%	5.09%
MSCI World Index†	23.79%	12.80%	8.60%
MSCI World Communication Services Index††	45.55%	10.46%	5.22%

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

The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2023 are 1.72%, 2.58%, 1.55% and 1.48% for Class A, Class C, Class S and Institutional Class shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report.

DWS Communications Fund

Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.

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

Returns shown for Class S shares for the period prior to its inception on August 1, 2022 are derived from the historical performance of Institutional Class shares of DWS Communications Fund during such periods and have been adjusted to reflect the higher total annual operating expenses of Class S. Any difference in expenses will affect performance.

Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only, and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights.

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment

(Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)

Yearly periods ended December 31

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

The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.

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

†	The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index is an unmanaged index representing large and mid-cap equity performance across 23 developed markets countries. It covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

DWS Communications Fund

††

MSCI World Communication Services Index (formerly known as MSCI World

Telecommunication Services Index) is an unmanaged index designed to capture the

large and mid capitalization segments across 23 developed markets countries. All

securities in the index are classified in the Communication Services sector as per the

Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®).

The Advisor believes that the additional MSCI World Communication Services Index

reasonably represents the performance of the specific sector of the market in which the

fund concentrates. Please see the prospectus for details.

	Class A	Class C	Class S	Institutional Class
Net Asset Value
12/31/23	$28.19	$24.59	$29.10	$29.11
12/31/22	$20.00	$17.58	$20.60	$20.60

DWS Communications Fund

Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)

Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral)	12/31/23	12/31/22
Common Stocks	94%	94%
Cash Equivalents	5%	5%
Convertible Bonds	1%	1%
Call Options Purchased	0%	—
	100%	100%

Sector Diversification (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Options Purchased, Securities Lending Collateral and Cash Equivalents)	12/31/23	12/31/22
Interactive Media & Services	51%	35%
Entertainment	18%	18%
Diversified Telecommunication Services	11%	15%
Wireless Telecommunication Services	6%	10%
Media	5%	12%
Software	3%	1%
Specialized REITs	2%	3%
Professional Services	2%	1%
Household Durables	1%	1%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure	1%	2%
Real Estate Management & Development	0%	1%
Diversified Consumer Services	0%	1%
Broadline Retail	0%	—
IT Services	—	0%
Leisure Products	—	0%
	100%	100%

Geographical Diversification (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Options Purchased, Securities Lending Collateral and Cash Equivalents)	12/31/23	12/31/22
United States	82%	82%
Japan	4%	4%
Germany	2%	1%
France	2%	3%
China	2%	1%
Netherlands	2%	—
United Kingdom	2%	4%
Canada	1%	2%
Sweden	1%	1%
Singapore	1%	—
Bermuda	1%	—
Other	—	2%
	100%	100%

DWS Communications Fund

Ten Largest Equity Holdings at December 31, 2023 (67.4% of Net Assets)	Country	Percent
1Alphabet, Inc.	United States	24.2%
Holding company with subsidiaries that provide web-based search, maps, hardware products and various software applications
2Meta Platforms, Inc.	United States	19.0%
Operator of social networking web site
3Netflix, Inc.	United States	6.0%
Provider of entertainment services
4Verizon Communications, Inc.	United States	4.5%
Provider of advanced communication and information technology services
5T-Mobile U.S., Inc.	United States	3.2%
Provider of mobile telecommunication services
6Deutsche Telekom AG	Germany	2.3%
Provider of telecommunication services
7Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.	United States	2.3%
Developer of entertainment software games
8Walt Disney Co.	United States	2.3%
Operator of media networks, theme parks and motion pictures
9Pinterest, Inc.	United States	1.9%
Operates and maintains social networking site
10KDDI Corp.	Japan	1.7%
Provider of long distance telephone and cellular services

Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.

For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 14. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request. Please see the Account Management Resources section on page 56 for contact information.

DWS Communications Fund

Investment Portfolioas of December 31, 2023

	Shares		Value ($)
Common Stocks 94.7%
Broadline Retail 0.3%
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (ADR)		2,889	223,926
Diversified Consumer Services 0.3%
Duolingo, Inc.*		1,293	293,317
Diversified Telecommunication Services 10.3%
Deutsche Telekom AG (Registered)		86,751	2,086,425
Iridium Communications, Inc.		9,776	402,380
Liberty Global Ltd. “A” *		38,350	681,480
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.		835,100	1,019,619
Orange SA		86,555	985,783
Verizon Communications, Inc.		105,992	3,995,898
			9,171,585
Entertainment 17.1%
IMAX Corp.*		21,857	328,292
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.*		9,166	857,938
Netflix, Inc.*		10,879	5,296,768
ROBLOX Corp. “A” *		23,400	1,069,848
Sea Ltd. (ADR)*		19,007	769,783
Spotify Technology SA*		4,280	804,255
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*		12,579	2,024,590
Universal Music Group NV		40,267	1,147,848
Walt Disney Co.		22,211	2,005,431
Warner Music Group Corp. “A”		25,251	903,733
			15,208,486
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.6%
DraftKings, Inc. “A” *		7,950	280,237
Entain PLC		20,460	256,040
			536,277
Household Durables 0.7%
Sony Group Corp.		6,900	654,410
Interactive Media & Services 47.7%
Alphabet, Inc. “A” *		75,886	10,600,515
Alphabet, Inc. “C” *		77,721	10,953,221
Baidu, Inc. (ADR)*		6,877	818,982
Match Group, Inc.*		22,183	809,680
Meta Platforms, Inc. “A” *		47,627	16,858,053

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

DWS Communications Fund

	Shares		Value ($)
Pinterest, Inc. “A” *		45,512	1,685,764
Yelp, Inc.*		12,615	597,194
			42,323,409
Media 4.5%
Charter Communications, Inc. “A” *		2,635	1,024,172
Criteo SA (ADR)*		30,099	762,107
New York Times Co. “A”		19,247	942,910
Trade Desk, Inc. “A” *		17,327	1,246,851
			3,976,040
Professional Services 1.8%
RELX PLC		30,193	1,197,513
Wolters Kluwer NV		2,566	364,697
			1,562,210
Real Estate Management & Development 0.5%
KE Holdings, Inc. (ADR)		29,487	477,984
Software 2.8%
Clear Secure, Inc. “A”		20,491	423,139
Doubleverify Holdings, Inc.*		21,946	807,174
PowerSchool Holdings, Inc. “A” *		42,828	1,009,028
Zoom Video Communications, Inc. “A” *		3,333	239,676
			2,479,017
Specialized REITs 2.4%
American Tower Corp.		5,518	1,191,226
Crown Castle, Inc.		8,162	940,181
			2,131,407
Wireless Telecommunication Services 5.7%
KDDI Corp.		47,100	1,497,135
Rogers Communications, Inc. “B”		15,078	705,851
T-Mobile U.S., Inc.		17,594	2,820,846
			5,023,832
Total Common Stocks (Cost $55,716,643)			84,061,900

	Principal Amount ($)		Value ($)
Convertible Bonds 0.7%
Interactive Media & Services
Match Group Financeco 3, Inc., 144A, 2.0%, 1/15/2030 (Cost $575,021)		734,000	637,185

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

DWS Communications Fund

	Contracts/ Notional Amount		Value ($)
Call Options Purchased 0.0%
Exchange-Traded Options
Alphabet, Inc., Expiration Date 04/19/2024, Strike Price $150.0 (Cost $68,623)		109 10,900	55,917

	Shares		Value ($)
Cash Equivalents 5.0%
DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund, 5.38% (a) (Cost $4,416,570)		4,416,570	4,416,570

	% of Net Assets	Value ($)
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $60,776,857)	100.4	89,171,572
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net	(0.4 )	(375,049 )
Net Assets	100.0	88,796,523

A summary of the Fund’s transactions with affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

Value ($) at 12/31/2022	Pur- chases Cost ($)	Sales Proceeds ($)	Net Real- ized Gain/ (Loss) ($)	Net Change in Unreal- ized Appreci- ation (Depreci- ation) ($)	Income ($)	Capital Gain Distri- butions ($)	Number of Shares at 12/31/2023	Value ($) at 12/31/2023
Securities Lending Collateral 0.0%
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio “DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares” , 5.27% (a) (b)
917,918	—	917,918 (c)	—	—	3,441	—	—	—
Cash Equivalents 5.0%
DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund, 5.38% (a)
3,479,748	27,867,350	26,930,528	—	—	166,164	—	4,416,570	4,416,570
4,397,666	27,867,350	27,848,446	—	—	169,605	—	4,416,570	4,416,570

*	Non-income producing security.
(a)	Affiliated fund managed by DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.

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

DWS Communications Fund

(b)	Represents cash collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
(c)	Represents the net increase (purchase cost) or decrease (sales proceeds) in the amount invested in cash collateral for the year ended December 31, 2023.

144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.

These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to

qualified institutional buyers.

ADR: American Depositary Receipt

REIT: Real Estate Investment Trust

Fair Value Measurements

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2023 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

Assets	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
Common Stocks
Broadline Retail	$223,926	$—	$—	$223,926
Diversified Consumer Services	293,317	—	—	293,317
Diversified Telecommunication Services	5,079,758	4,091,827	—	9,171,585
Entertainment	14,060,638	1,147,848	—	15,208,486
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure	280,237	256,040	—	536,277
Household Durables	—	654,410	—	654,410
Interactive Media & Services	42,323,409	—	—	42,323,409
Media	3,976,040	—	—	3,976,040
Professional Services	—	1,562,210	—	1,562,210
Real Estate Management & Development	477,984	—	—	477,984
Software	2,479,017	—	—	2,479,017
Specialized REITs	2,131,407	—	—	2,131,407
Wireless Telecommunication Services	3,526,697	1,497,135	—	5,023,832
Convertible Bonds	—	637,185	—	637,185
Call Options Purchased	55,917	—	—	55,917
Short-Term Investments	4,416,570	—	—	4,416,570
Total	$79,324,917	$9,846,655	$—	$89,171,572

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

DWS Communications Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of December 31, 2023

Assets
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $56,360,287)	$84,755,002
Investment in DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund (cost $4,416,570)	4,416,570
Foreign currency, at value (cost $153,133)	157,971
Receivable for Fund shares sold	45,219
Dividends receivable	23,769
Interest receivable	27,734
Foreign taxes recoverable	3,111
Other assets	29,713
Total assets	89,459,089
Liabilities
Payable for investments purchased	370,254
Payable for Fund shares redeemed	101,945
Accrued management fee	51,435
Accrued Trustees' fees	1,273
Other accrued expenses and payables	137,659
Total liabilities	662,566
Net assets, at value	$88,796,523
Net Assets Consist of
Distributable earnings (loss)	19,243,746
Paid-in capital	69,552,777
Net assets, at value	$88,796,523

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

DWS Communications Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

Net Asset Value
Class A
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($70,657,173 ÷ 2,506,859 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)	$28.19
Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 94.25 of $28.19)	$29.91
Class C
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price (subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share ($709,744 ÷ 28,862 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)	$24.59
Class S
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($400,007 ÷ 13,744 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)	$29.10
Institutional Class
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($17,029,599 ÷ 585,008 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)	$29.11

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

DWS Communications Fund

Statement of Operations

for the year ended December 31, 2023

Investment Income
Income:
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $26,453)	$756,722
Interest	9,480
Income distributions — DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund	166,164
Securities lending income, net of borrower rebates	3,441
Total income	935,807
Expenses:
Management fee	761,308
Administration fee	75,836
Services to shareholders	120,972
Distribution and service fees	163,260
Custodian fee	5,893
Professional fees	70,396
Reports to shareholders	34,832
Registration fees	68,921
Trustees' fees and expenses	5,001
Other	8,516
Total expenses before expense reductions	1,314,935
Expense reductions	(168,359 )
Total expenses after expense reductions	1,146,576
Net investment income (loss)	(210,769 )
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments	(1,258,257 )
Foreign currency	(12,336 )
	(1,270,593 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments	28,781,524
Foreign currency	1,901
	28,783,425
Net gain (loss)	27,512,832
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	$27,302,063

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

DWS Communications Fund

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

	Years Ended December 31,
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets	2023	2022
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$(210,769 )	$(492,983 )
Net realized gain (loss)	(1,270,593 )	(7,679,260 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	28,783,425	(35,557,540 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	27,302,063	(43,729,783 )
Distributions to shareholders:
Class A	—	(16,560 )
Class C	—	(244 )
Class S	—	(6 )*
Institutional Class	—	(4,754 )
Total distributions	—	(21,564 )
Fund share transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold	13,399,635	15,657,996
Reinvestment of distributions	—	20,786
Payments for shares redeemed	(23,092,595 )	(13,175,538 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions	(9,692,960 )	2,503,244
Increase (decrease) in net assets	17,609,103	(41,248,103 )
Net assets at beginning of period	71,187,420	112,435,523
Net assets at end of period	$88,796,523	$71,187,420

*	For the period from August 1, 2022 (commencement of operations of Class S) through December 31, 2022.

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

DWS Communications Fund

Financial Highlights

DWS Communications Fund — Class A
	Years Ended December 31,
	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period	$20.00	$33.19	$32.48	$25.79	$20.47
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)a	(.08 )	(.16 )	(.32 )	(.12 )	.01
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	8.27	(13.02 )	3.64	6.81	5.33
Total from investment operations	8.19	(13.18 )	3.32	6.69	5.34
Less distributions from:
Net investment income	—	—	(.51 )	—	(.02 )
Net realized gains	—	(.01 )	(2.10 )	—	—
Total distributions	—	(.01 )	(2.61 )	—	(.02 )
Net asset value, end of period	$28.19	$20.00	$33.19	$32.48	$25.79
Total Return (%)b	40.95 c	(39.72 )c	10.35	25.94 c	26.06 c
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)	71	55	101	100	85
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)	1.72	1.72	1.58	1.66	1.69
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)	1.50	1.62	1.58	1.63	1.60
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)	(.32 )	(.64 )	(.88 )	(.43 )	.05
Portfolio turnover rate (%)	27	24	24	19	22

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.

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

DWS Communications Fund

DWS Communications Fund — Class C
	Years Ended December 31,
	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period	$17.58	$29.40	$28.99	$23.19	$18.54
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)a	(.23 )	(.30 )	(.54 )	(.27 )	(.15 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	7.24	(11.51 )	3.25	6.07	4.80
Total from investment operations	7.01	(11.81 )	2.71	5.80	4.65
Less distributions from:
Net investment income	—	—	(.20 )	—	—
Net realized gains	—	(.01 )	(2.10 )	—	—
Total distributions	—	(.01 )	(2.30 )	—	—
Net asset value, end of period	$24.59	$17.58	$29.40	$28.99	$23.19
Total Return (%)b,c	39.87	(40.18 )	9.49	25.01	25.08
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)	1	1	1	1	2
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)	2.53	2.58	2.39	2.43	2.46
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)	2.25	2.37	2.38	2.39	2.35
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)	(1.06 )	(1.39 )	(1.68 )	(1.12 )	(.68 )
Portfolio turnover rate (%)	27	24	24	19	22

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.

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

DWS Communications Fund

DWS Communications Fund — Class S
	Year Ended December 31,	Period Ended
	2023	12/31/22a
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period	$20.60	$23.95
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)b	(.03 )	(.03 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	8.53	(3.31 )
Total from investment operations	8.50	(3.34 )
Less distributions from:
Net realized gains	—	(.01 )
Net asset value, end of period	$29.10	$20.60
Total Return (%)c	41.26	(13.96 )*
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ thousands)	400	19
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)	1.56	1.55 **
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)	1.24	1.32 **
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)	(.13 )	(.32 )**
Portfolio turnover rate (%)	27	24 d

a	For the period from August 1, 2022 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2022.
b	Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
c	Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d	Represents the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the year ended December 31, 2022.
*	Not annualized
**	Annualized

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

DWS Communications Fund

DWS Communications Fund — Institutional Class
	Years Ended December 31,
	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period	$20.60	$34.11	$33.33	$26.41	$20.96
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)a	.01	(.07 )	(.24 )	(.06 )	.07
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	8.50	(13.43 )	3.73	6.98	5.46
Total from investment operations	8.51	(13.50 )	3.49	6.92	5.53
Less distributions from:
Net investment income	—	—	(.61 )	—	(.08 )
Net realized gains	—	(.01 )	(2.10 )	—	—
Total distributions	—	(.01 )	(2.71 )	—	(.08 )
Net asset value, end of period	$29.11	$20.60	$34.11	$33.33	$26.41
Total Return (%)	41.31 b	(39.59 )b	10.62	26.20 b	26.39 b
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)	17	16	10	8	4
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)	1.44	1.48	1.35	1.41	1.44
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)	1.25	1.34	1.35	1.39	1.36
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)	.03	(.29 )	(.66 )	(.22 )	.27
Portfolio turnover rate (%)	27	24	24	19	22

a	Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b	Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

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

DWS Communications Fund

Notes to Financial Statements

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

DWS Communications Fund (the “Fund” ) is a non-diversified series of Deutsche DWS Securities Trust (the “Trust” ), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.

The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which provide investors with different purchase options. Class A shares are subject to an initial sales charge. Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to higher ongoing expenses than Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions within one year of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares in the same fund after 8 years, provided that the Fund or the financial intermediary through which the shareholder purchased the Class C shares has records verifying that the Class C shares have been held for at least 8 years. Upon the recommendation of the Advisor, the Fund’s Board of Trustees authorized the termination and liquidation of Class C Shares, effective on or about March 25, 2024 (the “Liquidation Date” ). Effective December 15, 2023, in connection with the liquidation, Class C Shares, with certain exceptions, will be closed to new investors. Shareholders who continue to hold shares of a Class C Shares on the Liquidation Date will receive the net asset value per share for all shares they own on the Liquidation Date. Class S shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are available through certain intermediary relationships with financial services firms, or can be purchased by establishing an account directly with the Fund’s transfer agent. Institutional Class shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally available only to qualified institutions.

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

The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards

DWS Communications Fund

Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.

The Fund’s Board has designated DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (the “Advisor” ) as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. The Advisor’s Pricing Committee (the “Pricing Committee” ) typically values securities using readily available market quotations or prices supplied by independent pricing services (which are considered fair values under Rule 2a-5). The Advisor has adopted fair valuation procedures that provide methodologies for fair valuing securities.

Equity securities are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Securities for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities are generally categorized as Level 1. For certain international equity securities, in order to adjust for events which may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the close of the New York Stock Exchange, a fair valuation model may be used. This fair valuation model takes into account comparisons to the valuation of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), exchange-traded funds, futures contracts and certain indices and these securities are categorized as Level 2.

Exchange-traded options are valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the closing bid and asked prices or at the most recent asked price (bid for purchased options) if no bid or asked price are available. Exchange-traded options are generally categorized as Level 1.

Debt securities are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Pricing Committee. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading

DWS Communications Fund

characteristics, prepayment speeds and other data, as well as broker quotes. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, debt securities are valued at the average of the most recent reliable bid quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.

Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.

Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Pricing Committee and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund’s valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company’s or issuer’s financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.

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

Securities Lending. Deutsche Bank AG, as securities lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of its securities lending agreement. During the term of the loans, the Fund continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the securities lending agent will use its best efforts to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the securities lending agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund invested the cash collateral, if any, into a joint trading account in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio, an affiliated money market fund managed by DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. DWS Investment Management Americas,

DWS Communications Fund

Inc. receives a management/administration fee (0.11% annualized effective rate as of December 31, 2023) on the cash collateral invested in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a securities lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan at any time, and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within a standard time period. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.

As of December 31, 2023, the Fund had no securities on loan.

Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. The portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.

Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.

Additionally, the Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by the governments of countries in which it invests and are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized

DWS Communications Fund

gain/loss on investments. Tax liabilities realized as a result of security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain/loss on investments.

At December 31, 2023, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of $9,119,912, including short-term losses ($6,433,421) and long-term losses ($2,686,491), which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.

The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2023 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed, and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.

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

At December 31, 2023, the Fund’s components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a net tax basis were as follows:

Capital loss carryforwards	$(9,119,912 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments	$28,350,145

At December 31, 2023, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $60,821,427. The net unrealized appreciation for all investments based on tax cost was $28,350,145. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $31,762,141 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $3,411,996.

DWS Communications Fund

In addition, the tax character of distributions paid to shareholders by the Fund is summarized as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2023	2022
Distributions from long-term capital gains	$—	$21,564

Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.

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

Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Certain dividends from foreign securities may be recorded subsequent to the ex-dividend date as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments. All discounts and premiums are accreted/amortized for both tax and financial reporting purposes.

Derivative Instruments

An option contract is a contract in which the writer (seller) of the option grants the buyer of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to purchase from (call option), or sell to (put option), the writer a designated instrument at a specified price within a specified period of time. Certain options, including options on indices, will require cash settlement by the Fund if exercised. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund entered into options contracts in order to manage the risk of stock market volatility.

If the Fund writes a covered call option, the Fund foregoes, in exchange for the premium, the opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price. If the Fund writes a put option it accepts the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security below the exercise price. Over-the-counter options have the risk of the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The Fund’s maximum exposure to purchased

DWS Communications Fund

options is limited to the premium initially paid. In addition, certain risks may arise upon entering into option contracts including the risk that an illiquid secondary market will limit the Fund’s ability to close out an option contract prior to the expiration date and that a change in the value of the option contract may not correlate exactly with changes in the value of the securities hedged.

A summary of open purchased option contracts as of December 31, 2023 is included in the Fund’s Investment Portfolio. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the investment in purchased options contracts had a total value generally indicative of a range from $0 to approximately $69,000.

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s derivative instruments held as of December 31, 2023 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:

Assets Derivative	Purchased Options
Equity Contracts (a)	$55,917
The above derivative is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities account:

(a)	Investments in securities at value (includes purchased options)

Additionally, the amount of unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in Fund earnings during the year ended December 31, 2023 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following tables by primary underlying risk exposure:

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)	Purchased Options
Equity Contracts (a)	$(12,706 )
The above derivative is located in the following Statement of Operations account:

(a)	Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (includes purchased options)

Purchases and Sales of Securities

During the year ended December 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $20,295,714 and $30,834,246, respectively.

Related Parties

Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor” ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH &

DWS Communications Fund

Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.

Prior to October 1, 2023, under the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund paid a monthly management fee based on the average daily net assets of the Fund, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:

First $100 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets	1.00%
Next $100 million of such net assets	.90%
Next $100 million of such net assets	.85%
Next $200 million of such net assets	.80%
Next $500 million of such net assets	.73%
Next $500 million of such net assets	.68%
Over $1.5 billion of such net assets	.65%

Effective October 1, 2023, under the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the average daily net assets of the Fund, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:

First $100 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets	.90%
Next $100 million of such net assets	.80%
Next $100 million of such net assets	.75%
Next $200 million of such net assets	.70%
Next $500 million of such net assets	.63%
Next $500 million of such net assets	.58%
Over $1.5 billion of such net assets	.55%

Accordingly, for the year ended December 31, 2023, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annual rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.974% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

For the period from January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023, the Advisor had contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses

DWS Communications Fund

such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) of each class as follows:

Class A		1.53%
Class C		2.28%
Class S		1.28%
Institutional Class		1.28%

Effective October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) of each class as follows:

Class A			1.42%
Class C			2.17%
Class S			1.17%
Institutional Class			1.17%

For the year ended December 31, 2023, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:

Class A	$142,028
Class C	1,910
Class S	1,044
Institutional Class	23,377
	$168,359

Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee” ) of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Administration Fee was $75,836, of which $7,156 is unpaid.

Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and SS&C GIDS, Inc. (“SS&C” ), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to SS&C. DSC compensates SS&C out of the shareholder

DWS Communications Fund

servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:

Services to Shareholders	Total Aggregated	Unpaid at December 31, 2023
Class A	$40,838	$6,771
Class C	482	75
Class S	716	158
Institutional Class	316	50
	$42,352	$7,054

In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2023, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:

Sub-Recordkeeping	Total Aggregated
Class A	$50,245
Class C	931
Institutional Class	12,398
	$63,574

Distribution and Service Fees. Under the Fund’s Class C 12b-1 Plan, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee” ) of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares. In accordance with the Fund’s Underwriting and Distribution Services Agreement, DDI enters into related selling group agreements with various firms at various rates for sales of Class C shares. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Distribution Fee was as follows:

Distribution Fee	Total Aggregated	Unpaid at December 31, 2023
Class C	$5,192	$451

In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee” ) to Class A and C shareholders at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets for each such class. DDI in turn has various agreements with financial services firms that provide these services and pays these fees based upon the assets of shareholder

DWS Communications Fund

accounts the firms service. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Service Fee was as follows:

Service Fee	Total Aggregated	Unpaid at December 31, 2023	Annual Rate
Class A	$156,431	$30,134	.24%
Class C	1,637	475	.24%
	$158,068	$30,609

Underwriting Agreement and Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. DDI is the principal underwriter for the Fund. Underwriting commissions paid in connection with the distribution of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2023 aggregated $643.

In addition, DDI receives any contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC” ) from Class C share redemptions occurring within one year of purchase. There is no such charge upon redemption of any share appreciation or reinvested dividends. The CDSC is 1% of the value of the shares redeemed for Class C. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the CDSC for Class C shares aggregated $800. A deferred sales charge of up to 1% is assessed on certain redemptions of Class A shares. For the year ended December 31, 2023, DDI received $15 for Class A shares.

Other Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” aggregated $1,279, of which $210 is unpaid.

Trustees’ Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.

Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund and DWS ESG Liquidity Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and DWS ESG Liquidity Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that DWS ESG Liquidity Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the

DWS Communications Fund

investment management fee payable on the Fund’s assets invested in DWS ESG Liquidity Fund.

Securities Lending Agent Fees. Deutsche Bank AG serves as securities lending agent for the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund incurred securities lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG in the amount of $230.

Line of Credit

The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants” ) share in a $375 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 20 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at December 31, 2023.

Fund Share Transactions

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

	Year Ended December 31, 2023		Year Ended December 31, 2022
	Shares	Dollars	Shares	Dollars
Shares sold
Class A	55,257	$1,393,517	24,073	$634,663
Class C	5,829	124,323	13,490	289,921
Class S	20,089	498,154	907 *	20,401 *
Institutional Class	442,363	11,383,641	668,230	14,713,011
		$13,399,635		$15,657,996
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
Class A	—	$—	804	$15,788
Class C	—	—	14	244
Class S	—	—	0 *	6 *
Institutional Class	—	—	235	4,748
		$—		$20,786

DWS Communications Fund

	Year Ended December 31, 2023		Year Ended December 31, 2022
	Shares	Dollars	Shares	Dollars
Shares redeemed
Class A	(275,938 )	$(6,792,480 )	(341,617 )	$(8,126,883 )
Class C	(16,196 )	(344,824 )	(16,862 )	(381,108 )
Class S	(7,252 )	(199,827 )	—	—
Institutional Class	(630,650 )	(15,755,464 )	(192,223 )	(4,667,547 )
		$(23,092,595 )		$(13,175,538 )
Net increase (decrease)
Class A	(220,681 )	$(5,398,963 )	(316,740 )	$(7,476,432 )
Class C	(10,367 )	(220,501 )	(3,358 )	(90,943 )
Class S	12,837	298,327	907 *	20,407 *
Institutional Class	(188,287 )	(4,371,823 )	476,242	10,050,212
		$(9,692,960 )		$2,503,244

*	For the period from August 1, 2022 (commencement of operations of Class S) through December 31, 2022.

DWS Communications Fund

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of Deutsche DWS Securities Trust and Shareholders of DWS Communications Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of DWS Communications Fund (the “Fund” ) (one of the funds constituting Deutsche DWS Securities Trust) (the “Trust” ), including the investment portfolio, as of December 31, 2023, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements” ). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting Deutsche DWS Securities Trust) at December 31, 2023, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB” ) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

DWS Communications Fund

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and others; when replies were not received from brokers and others, we performed other auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the DWS family of funds since at least 1979, but we are unable to determine the specific year.

Boston, Massachusetts

February 22, 2024

DWS Communications Fund

Other Information (Unaudited)

Regulatory Update — Tailored Shareholder Report

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC amended the rules for mutual fund and exchange-traded fund (“ETF” ) annual and semi-annual shareholder reports. The amended rules apply to mutual funds and ETFs that are registered on Form N-1A (i.e., open-end funds) and implement a new streamlined disclosure framework requiring “concise and visually engaging” shareholder reports highlighting key information, including a simplified expense presentation, performance information, portfolio holdings and certain fund statistics. The amended rules seek to simplify shareholder reporting by consolidating investor friendly data in one report and moving other data to Form N-CSR, creating a layered disclosure framework. Certain information from the Fund’s current shareholder reports, including the Fund’s investment portfolio, financial statements and financial highlights, will move to Form N-CSR. This information must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. Notably, the amended rules will require mutual funds and ETFs to prepare separate individual shareholder reports for each fund share class. The amendments also include a revised definition of “appropriate broad-based securities market index” that will affect performance presentations in the new streamlined reports and mutual fund and ETF prospectuses. The amended rules and related form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of the amended rules and form amendments on the content of the Fund’s current shareholder reports.

DWS Communications Fund

Information About Your Fund’s Expenses

As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include sales charges (loads) and account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses

with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done

so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023).

The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:

—

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

—

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

Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the

relative total expense of owning different funds. Subject to certain exceptions, an account maintenance fee of $20.00 assessed once per calendar year for Classes A, C and S shares may apply for accounts with balances less than $10,000. This fee is not included in these tables. If it was, the estimate of expenses paid for Classes A, C and S shares during the period would be higher, and account value during the period would be lower, by this amount.

DWS Communications Fund

Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment

for the six months ended December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

Actual Fund Return	Class A	Class C	Class S	Institutional Class
Beginning Account Value 7/1/23	$1,000.00	$1,000.00	$1,000.00	$1,000.00
Ending Account Value 12/31/23	$1,099.90	$1,095.80	$1,101.40	$1,101.40
Expenses Paid per $1,000*	$7.78	$11.73	$6.46	$6.41
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return	Class A	Class C	Class S	Institutional Class
Beginning Account Value 7/1/23	$1,000.00	$1,000.00	$1,000.00	$1,000.00
Ending Account Value 12/31/23	$1,017.80	$1,014.01	$1,019.06	$1,019.11
Expenses Paid per $1,000*	$7.48	$11.27	$6.21	$6.16

*	Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.

Annualized Expense Ratios	Class A	Class C	Class S	Institutional Class
DWS Communications Fund	1.47%	2.22%	1.22%	1.21%

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

For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.

DWS Communications Fund

Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation

The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Trustees” ) approved the renewal of DWS Communications Fund’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2023.

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

—

During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Trustees” ).

—

The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, profitability, economies of scale, and fall-out benefits from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the “Fee Consultant” ).

—

The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.

—

The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant as part of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.

—

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

In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries

DWS Communications Fund

throughout the world. DWS Group is majority-owned by Deutsche Bank AG, with approximately 20% of its shares publicly traded.

As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.

While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled using information supplied by Morningstar Direct (“Morningstar” ), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2022, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 4th quartile, 4th quartile and 3rd quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2022. The Board observed that there were limitations to the usefulness of the comparative data provided by Morningstar, noting that the applicable Morningstar universe for the Fund was of limited relevance due to the universe’s small size, among other factors.

DWS Communications Fund

Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2022). The Board noted that, effective October 1, 2023, in connection with the 2023 contract renewal process, DIMA agreed to reduce the Fund’s contractual management fee at each breakpoint by 0.10%. The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be higher than the median of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2022, and analyzing Broadridge expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) (“Broadridge Universe Expenses” ). The Board also reviewed data comparing each other operational share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Broadridge Universe Expenses. The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA were expected to help the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses remain competitive. The Board also observed that the Broadridge expense universe for the Fund was of limited relevance due to its small size, among other factors. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ), noting that DIMA indicated that it does not provide services to any other comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.

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

Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA

DWS Communications Fund

and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.

Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.

Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.

Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers; (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel; and (iii) ongoing efforts to enhance the compliance program.

Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the

DWS Communications Fund

Board Members and Officers

The following table presents certain information regarding the Board Members and Officers of the Trust/Corporation. 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 is c/o Keith R. Fox, DWS Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston

Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600. Except as otherwise noted below, 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/Corporation. 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 fund complex. The number of funds in the DWS fund complex shown in the table below includes all registered open- and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by the Advisor and any registered funds that have an investment advisor that is an affiliated person of the Advisor.

Independent Board Members/Independent Advisory Board Members

Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust/ Corporation and Length of Time Served1	Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Five Years	Number of Funds in DWS Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held by Board Member
Keith R. Fox, CFA (1954) Chairperson since 2017, and Board Member since 1996	Managing General Partner, Exeter Capital Partners (a series of private investment funds) (since 1986); Former Chairman, National Association of Small Business Investment Companies; Former Directorships: ICI Mutual Insurance Company; BoxTop Media Inc. (advertising); Sun Capital Advisers Trust (mutual funds); Progressive International Corporation (kitchen goods designer and distributor)	68	—

DWS Communications Fund

Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust/ Corporation and Length of Time Served1	Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Five Years	Number of Funds in DWS Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held by Board Member
John W. Ballantine (1946) Board Member since 1999	Retired; formerly: Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Management Officer, First Chicago NBD Corporation/The First National Bank of Chicago (1996–1998); Executive Vice President and Head of International Banking (1995–1996); Not-for-Profit Directorships: Window to the World Communications (public media); Life Director of Harris Theater for Music and Dance (Chicago); Life Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago; Former Directorships: Director and Chairman of the Board, Healthways Inc.2(population well-being and wellness services) (2003–2014); Stockwell Capital Investments PLC (private equity); Enron Corporation; FNB Corporation; Tokheim Corporation; First Oak Brook Bancshares, Inc.; Oak Brook Bank; Portland General Electric2 (utility company) (2003–2021); and Prisma Energy International; Former Not-for-Profit Directorships: Public Radio International; Palm Beach Civic Assn.	68	—
Mary Schmid Daugherty, NACD.DC, PHD, CFA (1958) Board Member or Advisory Board Member since 20233	Senior Fellow in Applied Finance, Department of Finance, Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas (1987–present); Directorships: The Meritex Company (2017–present); Driessen Water, Inc. (2016–present); and The Hardenbergh Foundation (2021–present); Former Directorships: Mairs & Power Funds Trust (mutual funds) (2010–2022); and Crescent Electric Supply Company (2010–2019)	214	—
Dawn-Marie Driscoll (1946) Board Member since 1987	Emeritus Advisory Board and former Executive Fellow, Hoffman Center for Business Ethics, Bentley University; formerly: Partner, Palmer & Dodge (law firm) (1988–1990); Vice President of Corporate Affairs and General Counsel, Filene’s (retail) (1978–1988); Directorships: Trustee and former Chairman of the Board, Southwest Florida Community Foundation (charitable organization); Former Directorships: ICI Mutual Insurance Company (2007–2015); Sun Capital Advisers Trust (mutual funds) (2007–2012); Investment Company Institute (audit, executive, nominating committees) and Independent Directors Council (governance, executive committees)	68	—

DWS Communications Fund

Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust/ Corporation and Length of Time Served1	Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Five Years	Number of Funds in DWS Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held by Board Member
Richard J. Herring (1946) Board Member since 1990	Jacob Safra Professor of International Banking and Professor of Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1972–present); formerly: Director, The Wharton Financial Institutions Center (1994–2020); Vice Dean and Director, Wharton Undergraduate Division (1995–2000) and Director, The Lauder Institute of International Management Studies (2000–2006); Member FDIC Systemic Risk Advisory Committee (2011–present), member Systemic Risk Council (2012–present) and member of the Advisory Board of the Yale Program on Financial Stability (2013–present); Former Directorships: Co-Chair of the Shadow Financial Regulatory Committee (2003–2015), Executive Director of The Financial Economists Roundtable (2008–2015), Director of The Thai Capital Fund (2007–2013), Director of The Aberdeen Singapore Fund (2007–2018), Director, The Aberdeen Japan Fund (2007–2021) and Nonexecutive Director of Barclays Bank DE (2010–2018)	68	—
Chad D. Perry (1972) Board Member or Advisory Board Member since 20213	Executive Vice President and General Counsel, RLJ Lodging Trust2 (since 2023); formerly Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.2 (2011–2023); Executive Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, LPL Financial Holdings Inc.2 (2006–2011); Senior Corporate Counsel, EMC Corporation (2005–2006); Associate, Ropes & Gray LLP (1997–2005)	214	Director, Great Elm Capital Corp. (business development company) (since 2022)
Rebecca W. Rimel (1951) Board Member since 1995	Directorships: Washington College (since July 2023); Formerly: Executive Vice President, The Glenmede Trust Company (investment trust and wealth management) (1983–2004); Board Member, Investor Education (charitable organization) (2004–2005); Former Directorships: Trustee, Executive Committee, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (2001–2007); Director, Viasys Health Care2 (January 2007–June 2007); Trustee, Thomas Jefferson Foundation (charitable organization) (1994–2012); President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (1994–2020) and Senior Advisor (2020–2021), The Pew Charitable Trusts (charitable organization); Director, BioTelemetry Inc.2 (acquired by Royal Philips in 2021) (healthcare) (2009–2021); Director, Becton Dickinson and Company2 (medical technology company) (2012–2022)	68	Director, The Bridgespan Group (nonprofit organization) (since October 2020)

DWS Communications Fund

Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust/ Corporation and Length of Time Served1	Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Five Years	Number of Funds in DWS Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held by Board Member
Catherine Schrand (1964) Board Member since 2021	Celia Z. Moh Professor of Accounting (2016–present) and Professor of Accounting (1994–present); Directorships: Advisory Board Member, the Jacobs Levy Center, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (since 2023); Former positions: Vice Dean, Wharton Doctoral Programs, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (2016–2019)	68	—
William N. Searcy, Jr. (1946) Board Member since 1993	Private investor since October 2003; formerly: Pension & Savings Trust Officer, Sprint Corporation2 (telecommunications) (November 1989–September 2003); Former Directorships: Trustee, Sun Capital Advisers Trust (mutual funds) (1998–2012)	68	—

Officers5

Name, Year of Birth, Position

with the Trust/Corporation

and Length of Time Served6

Business Experience and Directorships During the

Past Five Years

Hepsen Uzcan7 (1974)

President and Chief Executive

Officer, 2017–present

Head of Americas CEO Office, DWS (2023–present), Head

of Fund Administration, Head of Product Americas and Head

of U.S. Mutual Funds, DWS (2017–present); Vice President,

DWS Service Company (2018–present); President, DB

Investment Managers, Inc. (2018–present); President and

Chief Executive Officer, The European Equity Fund, Inc., The

New Germany Fund, Inc. and The Central and Eastern

Europe Fund, Inc. (2017–present); Vice President, DWS

Investment Management Americas, Inc. (2023–present);

formerly: Vice President for the Deutsche funds

(2016–2017); Assistant Secretary for the DWS funds

(2013–2019); Secretary, DWS USA Corporation (2018–2023);

Assistant Secretary, DWS Investment Management

Americas, Inc. (2018–2023); Assistant Secretary, DWS Trust

Company (2018–2023); Assistant Secretary, The European

Equity Fund, Inc., The New Germany Fund, Inc. and The

Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (2013–2020);

Assistant Secretary, DWS Distributors, Inc. (2018–2023);

Directorships: Director of DWS Service Company

(2018–present); Director of DB Investment Managers, Inc.

(2018–present); Director of Episcopalian Charities of New

York (2018–present); Interested Director of The European

Equity Fund, Inc., The New Germany Fund, Inc. and The

Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (2020–present);

Director of ICI Mutual Insurance Company (2020–present);

Director of DWS USA Corporation (2023–present); Director

of DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.

(2023–present); and Manager of DBX Advisors

LLC. (2023–present)

DWS Communications Fund

Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust/Corporation and Length of Time Served6	Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Five Years
John Millette8 (1962) Vice President and Secretary, 1999–present	Legal (Associate General Counsel), DWS; Chief Legal Officer, DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (2015–present); Director and Vice President, DWS Trust Company (2016–present); Secretary, DBX ETF Trust (2020–present); Vice President, DBX Advisors LLC (2021–present); Secretary, The European Equity Fund, Inc., The New Germany Fund, Inc. and The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (2011–present); formerly: Secretary, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (2015–2017); and Assistant Secretary, DBX ETF Trust (2019–2020)
Ciara Crawford9 (1984) Assistant Secretary, 2019–present	Fund Administration (Specialist), DWS (2015–present); Assistant Secretary, DWS Service Company (2018–present); Assistant Secretary of U.S. Mutual Funds, DWS (2019–present); Assistant Secretary, DWS USA Corporation (2023–present); Assistant Secretary, DBX Advisors, LLC (2023–present); Assistant Secretary, DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (2023–present); Assistant Clerk, DWS Trust Company (2023–present); formerly, Legal Assistant at Accelerated Tax Solutions
Diane Kenneally8 (1966) Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, 2018–present	Fund Administration Treasurer’s Office (Co-Head since 2018), DWS; Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller, DBX ETF Trust (2019–present); Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, The European Equity Fund, Inc., The New Germany Fund, Inc. and The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (2018–present); formerly: Assistant Treasurer for the DWS funds (2007–2018)
Yvonne Wong8 (1960) Assistant Treasurer, since December 1, 2023	Fund Administration (Senior Analyst), DWS; Assistant Treasurer, DBX ETF Trust (since November 14, 2023)
Sheila Cadogan8 (1966) Assistant Treasurer, 2017–present	Fund Administration Treasurer’s Office (Co-Head since 2018), DWS; Director and Vice President, DWS Trust Company (2018–present); Assistant Treasurer, DBX ETF Trust (2019–present); Assistant Treasurer, The European Equity Fund, Inc., The New Germany Fund, Inc. and The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (2018–present)
Scott D. Hogan8 (1970) Chief Compliance Officer, 2016–present	Anti-Financial Crime & Compliance US (Senior Team Lead), DWS; Chief Compliance Officer, The European Equity Fund, Inc., The New Germany Fund, Inc. and The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (2016–present)
Caroline Pearson8 (1962) Chief Legal Officer, 2010–present	Legal (Senior Team Lead), DWS; Assistant Secretary, DBX ETF Trust (2020–present); Chief Legal Officer, DBX Advisors LLC (2020–present); Chief Legal Officer, The European Equity Fund, Inc., The New Germany Fund, Inc. and The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (2012–present); formerly: Secretary, Deutsche AM Distributors, Inc. (2002–2017); Secretary, Deutsche AM Service Company (2010–2017); and Chief Legal Officer, DBX Strategic Advisors LLC (2020–2021)

DWS Communications Fund

Name, Year of Birth, Position with the Trust/Corporation and Length of Time Served6	Business Experience and Directorships During the Past Five Years
Christian Rijs7 (1980) Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, 2021–present	Senior Team Lead Anti-Financial Crime and Compliance, DWS; AML Officer, DWS Trust Company (2021–present); AML Officer, DBX ETF Trust (2021–present); AML Officer, The European Equity Fund, Inc., The New Germany Fund, Inc. and The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (2021–present); formerly: DWS UK & Ireland Head of Anti-Financial Crime and MLRO

1	The length of time served represents the year in which the Board Member joined the board of one or more DWS funds currently overseen by the Board.
2	A publicly held company with securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
3	Mr. Perry and Ms. Daugherty are each an Advisory Board Member of Deutsche DWS Asset Allocation Trust, Deutsche DWS Equity 500 Index Portfolio, Deutsche DWS Global/International Fund, Inc., Deutsche DWS Income Trust, Deutsche DWS Institutional Funds, Deutsche DWS International Fund, Inc., Deutsche DWS Investment Trust, Deutsche DWS Investments VIT Funds, Deutsche DWS Money Market Trust, Deutsche DWS Municipal Trust, Deutsche DWS Portfolio Trust, Deutsche DWS Securities Trust, Deutsche DWS Tax Free Trust, Deutsche DWS Variable Series I and Government Cash Management Portfolio. Mr. Perry and Ms. Daugherty are each a Board Member of each other Trust.
4	Mr. Perry and Ms. Daugherty each oversees 21 funds in the DWS Fund Complex as a Board Member of various Trusts. Mr. Perry and Ms. Daugherty are each an Advisory Board Member of various Trusts/Corporations comprised of 47 funds in the DWS Fund Complex.
5	As a result of their respective positions held with the Advisor or its affiliates, these individuals are considered “interested persons” of the Advisor within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Interested persons receive no compensation from the Fund.
6	The length of time served represents the year in which the officer was first elected in such capacity for one or more DWS funds.
7	Address: 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022.
8	Address: 100 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110.
9	Address: 5201 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Certain officers hold similar positions for other investment companies for which DIMA or an affiliate serves as the Advisor.

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI” ) includes additional information about the Board Members. The SAI is available, without charge, upon request. If you would like to request a copy of the SAI, you may do so by calling the following toll-free number: (800) 728-3337.

DWS Communications Fund

Account Management Resources

For More Information	The automated telephone system allows you to access personalized account information and obtain information on other DWS funds using either your voice or your telephone keypad. Certain account types within Classes A, C and S also have the ability to purchase, exchange or redeem shares using this system.
For More Information	For more information, contact your financial representative. You may also access our automated telephone system or speak with a Shareholder Service representative by calling: (800) 728-3337
Web Site	dws.com View your account transactions and balances, trade shares, monitor your asset allocation, subscribe to fund and account updates by e-mail, and change your address, 24 hours a day.
Web Site	Obtain prospectuses and applications, news about DWS funds, insight from DWS economists and investment specialists and access to DWS fund account information.
Written Correspondence	DWS PO Box 219151 Kansas City, MO 64121-9151
Proxy Voting	The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings	Following the Fund’s fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is posted on dws.com and is available free of charge by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, by calling (800) 728-3337. In addition, the portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on the Fund’s Form N-PORT and will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. Additional portfolio holdings for the Fund are also posted on dws.com from time to time. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
Principal Underwriter	If you have questions, comments or complaints, contact: DWS Distributors, Inc. 222 South Riverside Plaza Chicago, IL 60606-5808 (800) 621-1148

DWS Communications Fund

Investment

Management

DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the

“Advisor” ), which is part of the DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA

(“DWS Group” ), is the investment advisor for the Fund. DIMA and its

predecessors have more than 90 years of experience managing

mutual funds and DIMA provides a full range of investment advisory

services to both institutional and retail clients. DIMA is an indirect,

wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group.

DWS Group is a global 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.

	Class A	Class C	Class S	Institutional Class
Nasdaq Symbol	COMAX	COMCX	COMSX	COMZX
CUSIP Number	25159L 729	25159L 695	25159L 331	25159L 687
Fund Number	432	732	2032	532

DWS Communications Fund

The following table shows the amount of fees that Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”), the Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, billed to the Fund during the Fund’s last two fiscal years. The Audit Committee approved in advance all audit services and non-audit services that EY provided to the Fund.

Services that the Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Billed to the Fund

The above “Tax Fees” were billed for professional services rendered for tax preparation.

Services that the Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Billed to the Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers

The following table shows the amount of fees billed by EY to DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Adviser”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with DIMA (“Control Affiliate”) that provides ongoing services to the Fund (“Affiliated Fund Service Provider”), for engagements directly related to the Fund’s operations and financial reporting, during the Fund’s last two fiscal years.

The above “Tax Fees” were billed in connection with tax compliance services and agreed upon procedures.

The following table shows the amount of fees that EY billed during the Fund’s last two fiscal years for non-audit services. The Audit Committee pre-approved all non-audit services that EY provided to the Adviser and any Affiliated Fund Service Provider that related directly to the Fund’s operations and financial reporting. The Audit Committee requested and received information from EY about any non-audit services that EY rendered during the Fund’s last fiscal year to the Adviser and any Affiliated Fund Service Provider. The Committee considered this information in evaluating EY’s independence.

All other engagement fees were billed for services in connection with agreed upon procedures and tax compliance for DIMA and other related entities.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. Generally, each Fund’s Audit Committee must pre approve (i) all services to be performed for a Fund by a Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and (ii) all non-audit services to be performed by a Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the DIMA Entities with respect to operations and financial reporting of the Fund, except that the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of each Fund’s Audit Committee may grant the pre-approval for non-audit services described in items (i) and (ii) above for non-prohibited services for engagements of less than $100,000. All such delegated pre approvals shall be presented to each Fund’s Audit Committee no later than the next Audit Committee meeting.

There were no amounts that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

According to the registrant’s principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, substantially all of the principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm's hours spent on auditing the registrant's financial statements were attributed to work performed by full-time permanent employees of the principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and (i) and (j) are not applicable.

In connection with the audit of the 2022 and 2023 financial statements, the Fund entered into an engagement letter with EY. The terms of the engagement letter required by EY, and agreed to by the Audit Committee, include a provision mandating the use of mediation and arbitration to resolve any controversy or claim between the parties arising out of or relating to the engagement letter or services provided thereunder.

Pursuant to PCAOB Rule 3526, EY is required to describe in writing to the Fund’s Audit Committee, on at least an annual basis, all relationships between EY, or any of its affiliates, and the DWS Funds, including the Fund, or persons in financial reporting oversight roles at the DWS Funds that, as of the date of the communication, may reasonably be thought to bear on EY’s independence. Pursuant to PCAOB Rule 3526, EY has reported the matters set forth below that may reasonably be thought to bear on EY’s independence. With respect to each reported matter in the aggregate, EY advised the Audit Committee that, after careful consideration of the facts and circumstances and the applicable independence rules, it concluded that the matters do not and will not impair EY’s ability to exercise objective and impartial judgement in connection with the audits of the financial statements for the Fund and a reasonable investor with knowledge of all relevant facts and circumstances would conclude that EY has been and is capable of exercising objective and impartial judgment on all issues encompassed within EY’s audit engagements. EY also confirmed to the Audit Committee that it can continue to act as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Fund.

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

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

Date of fiscal year end:	12/31

Date of reporting period:	12/31/2023


	(b) Not applicable

ITEM 2.	CODE OF ETHICS

	As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR that applies to its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. There have been no amendments to, or waivers from, a provision of the code of ethics during the period covered by this report that would require disclosure under Item 2. A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

ITEM 3.	AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

	The fund’s audit committee is comprised solely of trustees who are "independent" (as such term has been defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in regulations implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (the "Regulations")). The fund’s Board of Trustees has determined that there are several "audit committee financial experts" (as such term has been defined by the Regulations) serving on the fund’s audit committee including Ms. Catherine Schrand, the chair of the fund’s audit committee. An “audit committee financial expert” is not an “expert” for any purpose, including for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 and the designation or identification of a person as an “audit committee financial expert” does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations and liability imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification.

ITEM 4.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Fiscal Year Ended December 31,	Audit Fees Billed to Fund	Audit-Related Fees Billed to Fund	Tax Fees Billed to Fund	All Other Fees Billed to Fund
2023	$46,486	$0	$5,969	$0
2022	$46,486	$0	$7,880	$0

Fiscal Year Ended December 31,	Audit-Related Fees Billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers	Tax Fees Billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers	All Other Fees Billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers
2023	$0	$424,143	$0
2022	$0	$148,212	$0

Fiscal Year Ended December 31	Total Non-Audit Fees Billed to Fund (A)	Total Non-Audit Fees billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers (engagements related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund) (B)	Total Non-Audit Fees billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers (all other engagements) (C)	Total of (A), (B) and (C)
2023	$5,969	$424,143	$0	$430,112
2022	$7,880	$148,212	$0	$156,092


ITEM 5.	AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

	Not applicable

ITEM 6.	INVESTMENTS

	Not applicable

ITEM 7.	DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

	Not applicable

ITEM 8.	PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

	Not applicable

ITEM 9.	PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

	Not applicable

ITEM 10.	SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

	There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board. The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Keith R. Fox, DWS Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600.

ITEM 11.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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

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

ITEM 12.	Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

	Not applicable

ITEM 13.	EXHIBITS

	(a)(1)	Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached hereto as EX-99.CODE ETH.

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

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

Registrant:	DWS Communications Fund, a series of Deutsche DWS Securities Trust


By:	/s/Hepsen Uzcan Hepsen Uzcan President

Date:	2/29/2024

ITEM 1.	REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS

	(a)