File Nos. 2-33733
811-1899
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [__]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 47 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
DREYFUS GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
c/o The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 922-6000
Mark N. Jacobs, Esq.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
box)
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
----
X on July 1, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b)
----
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
----
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
----
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485
----
If appropriate, check the following box:
this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for
a previously filed post-effective amendment.
----
Dreyfus
Growth Opportunity
Fund, Inc.
Investing in common stocks for capital growth
PROSPECTUS July 1, 1999
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
Contents
THE FUND
- ----------------------------------------------------
2 Goal/Approach
3 Main Risks
4 Past Performance
5 Expenses
6 Management
7 Financial Highlights
YOUR INVESTMENT
What every investor should know about the fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Account Policies
11 Distributions and Taxes
12 Services for Fund Investors
14 Instructions for Regular Accounts
16 Instructions for IRAs
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Information for managing your fund account
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Back Cover
Where to learn more about this and other Dreyfus funds
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
--------------------------------
Ticker Symbol: DREQX
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks long-term capital growth consistent with the preservation of
capital. Current income is a secondary goal. To pursue these goals, the fund
invests in common stocks issued primarily by U.S. companies. The fund may invest
up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities.
In choosing stocks, the portfolio manager uses a blended approach, investing in
growth stocks, value stocks, or stocks that exhibit characteristics of both
investment styles. Using a proprietary computer model, fundamental research and
direct management contacts, the portfolio manager seeks stocks that may benefit
from the current market and economic environment. Overall, the portfolio manager
reviews a stock for factors that could signal a rise in price, such as:
* new products or markets
* opportunities for greater market share
* more effective management
* positive changes in corporate structure or market
perception
The fund also uses computer models to measure select portfolio characteristics
in relation to various securities indexes or benchmarks, primarily the Standard
& Poor's((reg.tm)) 500 Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500). The fund typically
sells a security when it becomes fully valued, loses favor in the current market
or economic environment, or experiences deteriorating fundamentals. The fund may
overweight economic sectors and securities, and may frequently change portfolio
holdings, as deemed appropriate by Dreyfus.
INFORMATION ON THE FUND'S RECENT STRATEGIES AND HOLDINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE
CURRENT ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT (SEE BACK COVER).
Concepts to understand
GROWTH COMPANIES: companies whose earnings are expected to grow faster than the
overall market. Often, growth stocks have relatively high price-to-earnings and
price-to-book ratios, and tend to be more volatile than value stocks.
VALUE COMPANIES: companies that appear underpriced according to certain
financial measurements of their intrinsic worth or business prospects (such as
price-to-earnings or price-to-book ratios). Because a stock can remain
undervalued for years, value investors often look for factors that could trigger
a rise in price.
<PAGE 2>
MAIN RISKS
While stocks have historically been a leading choice of long-term investors,
they do fluctuate in price. The value of your investment in the fund will go up
and down, which means that you could lose money.
Investments in value stocks are subject to the risk that their intrinsic values
may never be realized by the market, or their prices may go down.While
investments in value stocks may limit downside risk over time, the fund, as a
trade-off, may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds.
Investments in growth companies may lack the dividend yield that can cushion
stock prices in market downturns. These companies are expected to increase their
earnings at a certain rate. If expectations are not met, investors can punish
the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase.
While large companies are established and often have the resources to weather
economic shifts, they can be slower to innovate than small companies. Midcap
companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less
predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid
than larger, more established companies.
Any foreign securities the fund owns could carry additional risks such as
changes in currency exchange rates, a lack of comprehensive company information
and political instability.
Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets
in money market securities. Although the fund would do this to avoid losses, it
could reduce the benefit from any upswing in the market.
Other potential risks
The fund, at times, may invest in derivative securities, such as options and
futures, and in foreign currencies. It may also sell short. These practices,
when employed, are used primarily to hedge the fund's portfolio but may be used
to increase returns; however, such practices sometimes may reduce returns or
increase volatility. Derivatives can be illiquid, and a small investment in
certain derivatives could have a potentially large impact on the fund's
performance.
At times, the fund may engage in short-term trading, which could produce higher
brokerage costs and taxable distributions.
The Fund
<PAGE 3>
PAST PERFORMANCE
The tables below show some of the risks of investing in the fund. The first
table shows the changes in the fund's performance from year to year. The second
table compares the fund's performance over time to that of the S&P 500, a widely
recognized unmanaged index of stock performance. Both tables assume reinvestment
of dividends. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
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Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
<TABLE>
14.78 51.50 1.79 28.37 22.25 15.10 16.13
-6.55 -4.15 -6.35
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
</TABLE>
BEST QUARTER: Q4 '98 +20.53%
WORST QUARTER: Q3 '90 -15.15%
THE FUND'S YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL RETURN AS OF 3/31/99 WAS 5.11%.
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Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/98
<TABLE>
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FUND 16.13% 14.46% 12.03%
S&P 500 28.60% 24.05% 19.19%
</TABLE>
What this fund is -- and isn't
This fund is a mutual fund: a pooled investment that is professionally managed
and gives you the opportunity to participate in financial markets. It strives to
reach its stated goal, although as with all mutual funds, it cannot offer
guaranteed results.
An investment in this fund is not a bank deposit. It is not FDIC-insured or
government-endorsed. It is not a complete investment program. You could lose
money in this fund, but you also have the potential to make money.
<PAGE 4>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below. Annual fund operating expenses are paid
out of fund assets, so their effect is included in the share price. The fund has
no sales charge (load) or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees.
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Fee table
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 0.75%
Shareholder services fee 0.15%
Other expenses 0.14%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 1.04%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
Expense example
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$106 $331 $574 $1,271
</TABLE>
This example shows what you could pay in expenses over
time. It uses the same hypothetical conditions other
funds use in their prospectuses: $10,000 initial
investment, 5% total return each year and no changes in
expenses. The figures shown would be the same whether
you sold your shares at the end of a period or kept
them. Because actual return and expenses will be
different, the example is for comparison only.
Concepts to understand
MANAGEMENT FEE: the fee paid to the investment adviser for managing the fund's
portfolio and assisting in all aspects of the fund's operations.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: a fee of up to 0.25% used to reimburse Dreyfus Service
Corporation for shareholder account service and maintenance.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
The Fund
<PAGE 5>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages more than $120
billion in over 160 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund
paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the fund's average
daily net assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon Bank
Corporation, a broad-based financial services company with a bank at its core.
With more than $389 billion of assets under management, and $1.9 trillion of
assets under administration and custody, Mellon provides a full range of
banking, investment and trust products and services to individuals, businesses
and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Timothy M. Ghriskey, CFA, senior portfolio manager and head of value equities at
Dreyfus, has managed the fund since March 1996 after ten years as an analyst and
money manager for Loomis Sayles & Co., and today manages several other funds at
Dreyfus.
Dreyfus has a personal securities trading policy (the "Policy") which restricts
the personal securities transactions of its employees. Its primary purpose is to
ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus employees does not disadvantage any
Dreyfus-managed fund. Dreyfus portfolio managers and other investment personnel
who comply with the Policy's preclearance and disclosure procedures may be
permitted to purchase, sell or hold certain types of securities which also may
be or are held in the fund(s) they advise.
Concepts to understand
YEAR 2000 ISSUES: the fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems
used by Dreyfus and the fund's other service providers do not properly process
and calculate date-related information from and after January 1, 2000.
Dreyfus is working to avoid year 2000-related problems in its systems and to
obtain assurances from other service providers that they are taking similar
steps. In addition, issuers of securities in which the fund invests may be
adversely affected by year 2000-related problems. This could have an impact on
the value of the fund's investments and its share price.
<PAGE 6>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table describes the fund's performance for the fiscal periods indicated.
"Total return" shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased
(or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and
distributions. These figures have been independently audited by Ernst & Young
LLP, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in
the annual report.
<TABLE>
YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28/29,
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 10.15 10.22 9.56 8.67 10.89
Investment operations:
Investment income -- net .07 .05 .10 .10 .10
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments .97 1.39 1.93 2.19 (.38)
Total from investment operations 1.04 1.44 2.03 2.29 (.28)
Distributions:
Dividends from investment
income -- net (.07) (.07) (.09) (.12) (.09)
Dividends from net realized gain
on investments (.46) (1.22) (1.28) (1.26) (1.80)
Dividends in excess of net realized
gain on investments -- (.22) -- (.02) (.05)
Total distributions (.53) (1.51) (1.37) (1.40) (1.94)
Net asset value, end of period 10.66 10.15 10.22 9.56 8.67
Total return (%) 10.57 15.62 22.35 27.37 (2.11)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses
to average net assets (%) 1.04 1.06 1.06 1.04 1.10
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%) .64 .50 .91 .91 1.09
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 162.98 112.32 137.38 268.40 242.75
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 459,192 508,562 471,660 419,240 372,313
</TABLE>
The Fund
<PAGE 7>
Your Investment
ACCOUNT POLICIES
Buying shares
YOU PAY NO SALES CHARGES to invest in this fund. Your price for fund shares is
the fund's net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
authorized entity. The fund's investments are generally valued based on market
value or, where market quotations are not readily available, based on fair value
as determined in good faith by the fund's board.
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Minimum investments
Initial Additional
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REGULAR ACCOUNTS $2,500 $100
$500 FOR
TELETRANSFER
INVESTMENTS
TRADITIONAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
SPOUSAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
ROTH IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
EDUCATION IRAS $500 NO MINIMUM
AFTER THE FIRST
YEAR
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC $100 $100
INVESTMENT PLANS
All investments must be in U.S. dollars. Third-party
checks cannot be accepted. You may be charged a fee for
any check that does not clear. Maximum TeleTransfer
purchase is $150,000 per day.
Concepts to understand
TRADITIONAL IRA: an individual retirement account. Your contributions may or may
not be deductible depending on your circumstances. Assets grow tax-deferred;
withdrawals and distributions are taxable in the year made.
SPOUSAL IRA: an IRA funded by a working spouse in the name of a nonworking
spouse.
ROTH IRA: an IRA with non-deductible contributions, and tax-free growth of
assets and distributions to pay retirement expenses, provided certain conditions
are met.
EDUCATION IRA: an IRA with nondeductible contributions, and tax-free growth of
assets and distributions, if used to pay certain educational expenses.
FOR MORE COMPLETE IRA INFORMATION, CONSULT DREYFUS OR YOUR TAX PROFESSIONAL.
<PAGE 8>
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) SHARES AT ANY TIME. Your shares will be sold at the next
NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or
other authorized entity. Any certificates representing fund shares being sold
must be returned with your redemption request. Your order will be processed
promptly and you will generally receive the proceeds within a week.
BEFORE SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES, please note that if the fund has not
yet collected payment for the shares you are selling, it may delay sending the
proceeds for up to eight business days or until it has collected payment.
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Limitations on selling shares by phone
Proceeds
sent by Minimum Maximum
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK NO MINIMUM $150,000 PER DAY
WIRE $1,000 $250,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
TELETRANSFER $500 $250,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
* amounts of $1,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed
within the last 30 days
* requests to send the proceeds to a different payee or address
Written sell orders of $100,000 or more must also be signature guaranteed.
A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE helps protect against fraud. You can obtain one from most
banks or securities dealers, but not from a notary public. For joint accounts,
each signature must be guaranteed. Please call us to ensure that your signature
guarantee will be processed correctly.
Your Investment
<PAGE 9>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
General policies
IF YOUR ACCOUNT FALLS BELOW $500, the fund may ask you to increase your balance.
If it is still below $500 after 45 days, the fund may close your account and
send you the proceeds.
UNLESS YOU DECLINE TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES on your application, you may be
responsible for any fraudulent telephone order as long as Dreyfus takes
reasonable measures to verify the order.
THE FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO:
* refuse any purchase or exchange request that could
adversely affect the fund or its operations, including
those from any individual or group who, in the fund's
view, is likely to engage in excessive trading
(usually defined as more than four exchanges out of the
fund within a calendar year)
* refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of
1% of the fund's total assets
* change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or
temporarily suspend this privilege during unusual market
conditions
* change its minimum investment amounts
* delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to
seven days (generally applies only in cases of very
large redemptions, excessive trading or during unusual
market conditions)
The fund also reserves the right to make a "redemption in kind" -- payment in
portfolio securities rather than cash -- if the amount you are redeeming is
large enough to affect fund operations (for example, if it represents more than
1% of the fund's assets).
Third-party investments
If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with Dreyfus), the
policies and fees may be different than those described here. Banks, brokers,
401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge
transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on
buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your plan or financial
institution if in doubt.
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS dividends from its net investment income,
and distributes any net capital gains it has realized once a year. Your
distributions will be reinvested in the fund unless you instruct the fund
otherwise. There are no fees or sales charges on reinvestments.
FUND DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ARE TAXABLE to most investors (unless your
investment is in an IRA or other tax-advantaged account). The tax status of any
distribution is the same regardless of how long you have been in the fund and
whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash. In general,
distributions are federally taxable as follows:
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Taxability of distributions
Type of Tax rate for Tax rate for
distribution 15% bracket 28% bracket or above
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME ORDINARY ORDINARY
DIVIDENDS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
SHORT-TERM ORDINARY ORDINARY
CAPITAL GAINS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS 10% 20%
The tax status of your dividends and distributions will be detailed in your
annual tax statement from the fund.
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except in tax-advantaged accounts, any sale or exchange of fund shares may
generate a tax liability.
The table at right also can provide a guide for your potential tax liability
when selling or exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to
fund shares sold or exchanged up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term
capital gains" applies to shares sold or exchanged after 12 months.
Your Investment
<PAGE 11>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
Automatic services
BUYING OR SELLING SHARES AUTOMATICALLY is easy with the services described
below. With each service, you select a schedule and amount, subject to certain
restrictions. You can set up most of these services with your application or by
calling 1-800-645-6561.
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For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments
ASSET BUILDER((reg.tm)) from a designated bank account.
DREYFUS PAYROLL For making automatic investments
SAVINGS PLAN through a payroll deduction.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT For making automatic investments
DIRECT DEPOSIT from your federal employment,
PRIVILEGE Social Security or other regular
federal government check.
DREYFUS DIVIDEND For automatically reinvesting the
SWEEP dividends and distributions from
one Dreyfus fund into another
(not available for IRAs).
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For exchanging shares
DREYFUS AUTO- For making regular exchanges
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE from one Dreyfus fund into
another.
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For selling shares
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making regular withdrawals
WITHDRAWAL PLAN from most Dreyfus funds.
Dreyfus Financial Centers
Through a nationwide network of Dreyfus Financial Centers, Dreyfus offers a full
array of investment services and products. This includes information on mutual
funds, brokerage services, tax-advantaged products and retirement planning.
Our experienced financial consultants can help you make informed choices and
provide you with personalized attention in handling account transactions. The
Financial Centers also offer informative seminars and events. To find the
Financial Center nearest you, call 1-800-499-3327.
<PAGE 12>
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE $500 OR MORE from one Dreyfus fund into another (no minimum for
retirement accounts). You can request your exchange in writing or by phone. Be
sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you are exchanging.
Any new account established through an exchange will have the same privileges as
your original account (as long as they are available). There is currently no fee
for exchanges, although you may be charged a sales load when exchanging into any
fund that has one.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer
on your account by providing bank account information and following the
instructions on your application.
24-hour automated account access
YOU CAN EASILY MANAGE YOUR DREYFUS ACCOUNTS, check your account balances,
transfer money between your Dreyfus funds, get price and yield information and
much more -- when it's convenient for you.
Retirement plans
Dreyfus offers a variety of retirement plans, including traditional, Roth and
Education IRAs. Here's where you call for information:
* for traditional, rollover, Roth and Education IRAs, call 1-800-645-656
* for SEP-IRAs, Keogh accounts, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, call
1-800-358-0910
Your Investment
<PAGE 13>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9387, Providence, RI 02940-9387
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York, with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900051752
* the fund name
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate on your application which automatic
service(s) you want. Return your application with your investment.
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Check the Dreyfus Step Program option on your
application. Return your application, then complete the additional materials
when they are sent to you.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Mail the slip and the check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 105,
Newark, NJ 07101-0105
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900051752
* the fund name
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add any automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete and return the forms along with
any other required materials.
<PAGE 14>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name(s) and signature(s)
* your account number
* the fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required (see "Account
Policies -- Selling Shares").
Mail your request to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9671, Providence, RI 02940-9671
WIRE Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us to
request your transaction. Proceeds will be wired to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call
us to request your transaction. Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic
check.
CHECK Call us to request your transaction. A check will be sent to the address
of record.
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request a form to add the plan.
Complete the form, specifying the amount and frequency of withdrawals you would
like.
Be sure to maintain an account balance of $5,000 or more.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
Concepts to understand
WIRE TRANSFER: for transferring money from one financial institution to another.
Wiring is the fastest way to move money, although your bank may charge a fee to
send or receive wire transfers. Wire redemptions from the fund are subject to a
$1,000 minimum.
ELECTRONIC CHECK: for transferring money out of a bank account. Your transaction
is entered electronically, but may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks usually are available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
Your Investment
<PAGE 15>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR IRAS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete an IRA application, making sure to specify the fund name and to
indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian P.O. Box 6427, Providence, RI 02940-6427
By Telephone
Automatically
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Call us
to request a Dreyfus Step Program form. Complete and return the form along with
your application.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail in the slip and the check (see "To Open an Account" at left).
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900051752
* the fund name
* your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELEPHONE CONTRIBUTION Call to request us to move money from a regular Dreyfus
account to an IRA (both accounts must be held in the same shareholder name).
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add an automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete and return the form along with any
other required materials.
All contributions will count as current year.
<PAGE 16>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number
* the fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
* whether the distribution is qualified or premature
* whether the 10% TEFRA should be withheld
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required.
Mail in your request (see "To Open an Account" at left).
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish
the plan.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
Concepts to understand
WIRE TRANSFER: for transferring money from one financial institution to another.
Wiring is the fastest way to move money, although your bank may charge a fee to
send or receive wire transfers. Wire redemptions from the fund are subject to a
$1,000 minimum.
ELECTRONIC CHECK: for transferring money out of a bank account. Your transaction
is entered electronically, but may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks usually are available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
Your Investment
<PAGE 17>
For More Information
Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
-----------------------------
SEC file number: 811-1899
More information on this fund is available free upon
request, including the following:
Annual/Semiannual Report
Describes the fund's performance, lists portfolio
holdings and contains a letter from the fund's manager
discussing recent market conditions, economic trends and
fund strategies that significantly affected the fund's
performance during the last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Provides more details about the fund and its policies. A
current SAI is on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and is incorporated by reference (is
legally considered part of this prospectus).
To obtain information:
BY TELEPHONE Call 1-800-645-6561
BY MAIL Write to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
BY E-MAIL Send your request to [email protected]
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from:
SEC
http://www.sec.gov
DREYFUS
http://www.dreyfus.com
You can also obtain copies by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in
Washington, DC (phone 1-800-SEC-0330) or by sending your request and a
duplicating fee to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC
20549-6009.
(c) 1999 Dreyfus Service Corporation 018P0799
<PAGE>
DREYFUS GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
JULY 1, 1999
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of
Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), dated July 1, 1999, as
it may be revised from time to time. To obtain a copy of the Fund's
Prospectus, please write to the Fund at 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard,
Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, or call one of the following numbers:
Call Toll Free 1-800-645-6561
In New York City -- Call 1-718-895-1206
Outside the U.S. -- Call 516-794-5452
The Fund's most recent Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to
Shareholders are separate documents supplied with this Statement of
Additional Information, and the financial statements, accompanying notes and
report of independent auditors appearing in the Annual Report are
incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Description of the Fund B-2
Management of the Fund B-12
Management Arrangements B-18
How to Buy Shares B-21
Shareholder Services Plan B-23
How to Redeem Shares B-24
Shareholder Services B-26
Determination of Net Asset Value B-29
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes B-30
Portfolio Transactions B-32
Performance Information B-33
Information About the Fund B-34
Counsel and Independent Auditors B-35
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
The Fund was organized as a Delaware corporation on June 23, 1969, and
commenced operations on February 4, 1972. On July 30, 1982, the Fund
changed its state of incorporation to Maryland. The Fund is a diversified
fund, which means that, with respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund
will not invest more than 5% of its assets in the securities of any single
issuer.
The Dreyfus Corporation (the "Manager") serves as the Fund's investment
adviser.
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") is the
distributor of the Fund's shares.
Certain Portfolio Securities
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's Prospectus.
Convertible Securities. Convertible securities may be converted at
either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of common stock.
Convertible securities have characteristics similar to both fixed-income and
equity securities. Convertible securities generally are subordinated to
other similar but non-convertible securities of the same issuer, although
convertible bonds, as corporate debt obligations, enjoy seniority in right
of payment to all equity securities, and convertible preferred stock is
senior to common stock, of the same issuer. Because of the subordination
feature, however, convertible securities typically have lower ratings than
similar non-convertible securities.
Although to a lesser extent than with fixed-income securities, the
market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates
increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In
addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible
securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the
underlying common stock. A unique feature of convertible securities is that
as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible
securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so may not
experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common
stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the
prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the
value of the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are
without risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less
risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer.
Convertible securities are investments that provide for a stable stream
of income with generally higher yields than common stocks. There can be no
assurance of current income because the issuers of the convertible
securities may default on their obligations. A convertible security, in
addition to providing fixed income, offers the potential for capital
appreciation through the conversion feature, which enables the holder to
benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock.
There can be no assurance of capital appreciation, however, because
securities prices fluctuate. Convertible securities, however, generally
offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of
similar quality because of the potential for capital appreciation.
Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign
issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and other forms of depositary receipts. These
securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the
securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically
issued by a United States bank or trust company which evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs, which are
sometimes referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts ("CDRs"), are
receipts issued in Europe typically by non-United States banks and trust
companies that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities.
Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in the United States
securities markets and EDRs and CDRs in bearer form are designed for use in
Europe.
These securities may be purchased through "sponsored" or "unsponsored"
facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of
the underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish
an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited
security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the
costs of such facilities, and the depositary of an unsponsored facility
frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications
received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting
rights to the holders of such receipts in respect of the deposited
securities.
Money Market Instruments. When the Manager determines that adverse
market conditions exist, the Fund may adopt a temporary defensive position
and invest some or all of its assets in money market instruments, including
U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements, bank obligations and
commercial paper. The Fund also may purchase money market instruments when
it has cash reserves or in anticipation of taking a market position.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its
net assets in securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist,
provided such investments are consistent with the Fund's investment
objectives. Such securities may include securities that are not readily
marketable, such as securities that are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale, repurchase agreements providing for settlement in
more than seven days after notice, and certain privately negotiated, non-
exchange traded options and securities used to cover such options. As to
these securities, the Fund is subject to a risk that should the Fund desire
to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems
representative of their value, the value of the Fund's net assets could be
adversely affected.
Investment Techniques
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's Prospectus.
Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may enter into foreign
currency transactions for a variety of purposes, including: to fix in U.S.
dollars, between trade and settlement date, the value of a security the Fund
has agreed to buy or sell; to hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities the
Fund already owns, particularly if it expects a decrease in the value of the
currency in which the foreign security is denominated; or to gain exposure
to the foreign currency in an attempt to realize gains.
Foreign currency transactions may involve, for example, the Fund's
purchase of foreign currencies for U.S. dollars or the maintenance of short
positions in foreign currencies, which would involve the Fund agreeing to
exchange an amount of a currency it did not currently own for another
currency at a future date in anticipation of a decline in the value of the
currency sold relative to the currency the Fund contracted to receive in the
exchange. The Fund's success in these transactions will depend principally
on the Manager's ability to predict accurately the future exchange rates
between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.
Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods
of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand
in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in
different countries, actual or perceived changes in interest rates and other
complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency
exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or
foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by
currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
Borrowing Money. The Fund is permitted to borrow to the extent
permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"), which permits an investment company to borrow in an amount up to 33-
1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund currently intends to borrow
money only for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes, in an
amount up to 15% of the value of its total assets (including the amount
borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not
including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. While
borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will not make any
additional investments.
Lending Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend securities from its
portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to
borrow securities to complete certain transactions. In connection with such
loans, the Fund continues to be entitled to payments in amounts equal to the
dividends, interest or other distributions payable on the loaned securities
which affords the Fund an opportunity to earn interest on the amount of the
loan and at the same time to earn income on the loaned securities'
collateral. Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 33-1/3% of the
value of the Fund's total assets, and the Fund will receive collateral
consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or irrevocable letters of
credit which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least
100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. Such loans are
terminable by the Fund at any time upon specified notice. The Fund might
experience risk of loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a
portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund. In
connection with its securities lending transactions, the Fund may return to
the borrower or a third party which is unaffiliated with the Fund, and which
is acting as a "placing broker," a part of the interest earned from the
investment of collateral received for securities loaned.
Short-Selling. In these transactions, the Fund sells a security it
does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the
security. To complete the transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to
make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is obligated to replace the security
borrowed by purchasing it subsequently at the market price at the time of
replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at
which the security was sold by the Fund, which would result in a loss or
gain, respectively.
Securities will not be sold short if, after effect is given to any such
short sale, the total market value of all securities sold short would exceed
25% of the value of the Fund's net assets. The Fund may not make a short
sale which results in the Fund having sold short in the aggregate more than
5% of the outstanding securities of any class of an issuer.
The Fund also may make short sales "against the box," in which the Fund
enters into a short sale of a security it owns. At no time will more than
15% of the value of the Fund's net assets be in deposits on short sales
against the box.
Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed
security, the Fund will: (a) segregate permissible liquid assets in an
amount that, together with the amount deposited with the broker as
collateral, always equals the current value of the security sold short; or
(b) otherwise cover its short position.
Derivatives. The Fund may invest in, or enter into, derivatives, such
as options and futures, for a variety of reasons, including to hedge certain
market risks, to provide a substitute for purchasing or selling particular
securities or to increase potential income gain. Derivatives may provide a
cheaper, quicker or more specifically focused way for the Fund to invest
than "traditional" securities would.
Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of
risk, depending upon the characteristics of the particular derivative and
the portfolio as a whole. Derivatives permit the Fund to increase or
decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which
its portfolio is exposed in much the same way as the Fund can increase or
decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, of its
portfolio by making investments in specific securities. However,
derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost
would suggest, meaning that a small investment in derivatives could have a
large potential impact on the Fund's performance.
If the Fund invests in derivatives at inopportune times or judges
market conditions incorrectly, such investments may lower the Fund's return
or result in a loss. The Fund also could experience losses if its
derivatives were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if the
Fund were unable to liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary
market. The market for many derivatives is, or suddenly can become,
illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and
unpredictable changes in the prices for derivatives.
Although the Fund will not be a commodity pool, certain derivatives
subject the Fund to the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
which limit the extent to which the Fund can invest in such derivatives.
The Fund may invest in futures contracts and options with respect thereto
for hedging purposes without limit. However, the Fund may not invest in
such contracts and options for other purposes if the sum of the amount of
initial margin deposits and premiums paid for unexpired options with respect
to such contracts, other than for bona fide hedging purposes, exceeds 5% of
the liquidation value of the Fund's assets, after taking into account
unrealized profits and unrealized losses on such contracts and options;
provided, however, that in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the
time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the
5% limitation.
Derivatives may be purchased on established exchanges or through
privately negotiated transactions referred to as over-the-counter
derivatives. Exchange-traded derivatives generally are guaranteed by the
clearing agency which is the issuer or counterparty to such derivatives.
This guarantee usually is supported by a variation margin payment system
operated by the clearing agency in order to reduce overall credit risk. As
a result, unless the clearing agency defaults, there is relatively little
counterparty credit risk associated with derivatives purchased on an
exchange. In contrast, no clearing agency guarantees over-the-counter
derivatives. Therefore, each party to an over-the-counter derivative bears
the risk that the counterparty will default. Accordingly, the Manager will
consider the creditworthiness of counterparties to over-the-counter
derivatives in the same manner as it would review the credit quality of a
security to be purchased by the Fund. Over-the-counter derivatives are less
liquid than exchange-traded derivatives since the other party to the
transaction may be the only investor with sufficient understanding of the
derivative to be interested in bidding for it.
Futures Transactions--In General. The Fund may enter into futures contracts
in U.S. domestic markets, such as the Chicago Board of Trade and the
International Monetary Market of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, or on
exchanges located outside the United States, such as the London
International Financial Futures Exchange, the Sydney Futures Exchange
Limited and the Deutsche Termine Borse. Foreign markets may offer
advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not
available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater
risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges
are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and an
investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. In
addition, any profits the Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated
by adverse changes in the exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses as a
result of those changes. Transactions on foreign exchanges may include both
commodities which are traded on domestic exchanges and those which are not.
Unlike trading on domestic commodity exchanges, trading on foreign commodity
exchanges is not regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Engaging in these transactions involves risk of loss to the Fund which
could adversely affect the value of the Fund's net assets. Although the
Fund intends to purchase or sell futures contracts only if there is an
active market for such contracts, no assurance can be given that a liquid
market will exist for any particular contract at any particular time. Many
futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation
permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the
daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made
that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for
specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract prices could
move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no
trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and
potentially subjecting the Fund to substantial losses.
Successful use of futures by the Fund also is subject to the Manager's
ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant
market and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging
purposes, to ascertain the appropriate correlation between the transaction
being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract. For example,
if the Fund uses futures to hedge against the possibility of a decline in
the market value of securities held in its portfolio and the prices of such
securities instead increase, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit
of the increased value of securities which it has hedged because it will
have offsetting losses in its futures positions. Furthermore, if in such
circumstances the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities
to meet daily variation margin requirements. The Fund may have to sell such
securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
Pursuant to regulations and/or published positions of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the Fund may be required to segragate permissible
liquid assets to cover its obligations relating to its transactions in
derivatives. To maintain this required cover, the Fund may have to sell
portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices or times since it may not be
possible to liquidate a derivative position at a reasonable price. In
addition, the segregation of such assets will have the effect of limiting
the Fund's ability otherwise to invest those assets.
Specific Futures Transactions. The Fund may purchase and sell stock index
futures contracts. A stock index future obligates the Fund to pay or receive
an amount of cash equal to a fixed dollar amount specified in the futures
contract multiplied by the difference between the settlement price of the
contract on the contract's last trading day and the value of the index based
on the stock prices of the securities that comprise it at the opening of
trading in such securities on the next business day.
The Fund may purchase and sell currency futures. A foreign currency
future obligates the Fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific
currency at a future date at a specific price.
Options--In General. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets,
represented by the premium paid, in the purchase of call and put options.
The Fund may write (i.e., sell) covered call and put option contracts to the
extent of 20% of the value of its net assets at the time such option
contracts are written. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the
right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security or
securities at the exercise price at any time during the option period, or at
a specific date. Conversely, a put option gives the purchaser of the option
the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security
or securities at the exercise price at any time during the option period, or
at a specific date.
A covered call option written by the Fund is a call option with respect
to which the Fund owns the underlying security or otherwise covers the
transaction by segregating cash or other securities. A put option written
by the Fund is covered when, among other things, permissible liquid assets
having a value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the option are
segregated to fulfill the obligation undertaken. The principal reason for
writing covered call and put options is to realize, through the receipt of
premiums, a greater return than would be realized on the underlying
securities alone. The Fund receives a premium from writing covered call or
put options which it retains whether or not the option is exercised.
There is no assurance that sufficient trading interest to create a
liquid secondary market on a securities exchange will exist for any
particular option or at any particular time, and for some options no such
secondary market may exist. A liquid secondary market in an option may
cease to exist for a variety of reasons. In the past, for example, higher
than anticipated trading activity or order flow, or other unforeseen events,
at times have rendered certain of the clearing facilities inadequate and
resulted in the institution of special procedures, such as trading
rotations, restrictions on certain types of orders or trading halts or
suspensions in one or more options. There can be no assurance that similar
events, or events that may otherwise interfere with the timely execution of
customers' orders, will not recur. In such event, it might not be possible
to effect closing transactions in particular options. If, as a covered call
option writer, the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction
in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying security
until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon
exercise or it otherwise covers its position.
Specific Options Transactions. The Fund may purchase and sell call and put
options in respect of specific securities (or groups or "baskets" of
specific securities) or stock indices listed on national securities
exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market. An option on a stock
index is similar to an option in respect of specific securities, except that
settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the
index. Instead, the option holder receives an amount of cash if the closing
level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in
the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price
of the option. Thus, the effectiveness of purchasing or writing stock index
options will depend upon price movements in the level of the index rather
than the price of a particular stock.
The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on foreign
currency. These options convey the right to buy or sell the underlying
currency at a price which is expected to be lower or higher than the spot
price of the currency at the time the option is exercised or expires.
The Fund may purchase cash-settled options on interest rate swaps,
interest rate swaps denominated in foreign currency and equity index swaps
in pursuit of its investment objectives. Interest rate swaps involve the
exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to
pay or receive interest (for example, an exchange of floating-rate payments
for fixed-rate payments) denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currency.
Equity index swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of
cash flows based upon the performance of an index or a portion of an index
of securities which usually includes dividends. A cash-settled option on a
swap gives the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, in return for
the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the
underlying swap as of the exercise date. These options typically are
purchased in privately negotiated transactions from financial institutions,
including securities brokerage firms.
Successful use by the Fund of options will be subject to the Manager's
ability to predict correctly movements in the prices of individual stocks,
the stock market generally, foreign currencies or interest rates. To the
extent the Manager's predictions are incorrect, the Fund may incur losses.
Future Developments. The Fund may take advantage of opportunities in
the area of options and futures contracts and options on futures contracts
and any other derivatives which are not presently contemplated for use by
the Fund or which are not currently available but which may be developed, to
the extent such opportunities are both consistent with the Fund's investment
objectives and legally permissible for the Fund. Before entering into such
transactions or making any such investment, the Fund will provide
appropriate disclosure in its Prospectus or Statement of Additional
Information.
Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase securities on a forward
commitment or when-issued basis, which means that delivery and payment take
place a number of days after the date of the commitment to purchase. The
payment obligation and the interest rate receivable on a forward commitment
or when-issued security are fixed when the Fund enters into the commitment,
but the Fund does not make payment until it receives delivery from the
counterparty. The Fund will commit to purchase such securities only with
the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but the Fund may sell
these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable. The
Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal at all times to
the amount of the Fund's purchase commitments.
Securities purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis are
subject to changes in value (generally changing in the same way, i.e.,
appreciating when interest rates decline and depreciating when interest
rates rise) based upon the public's perception of the creditworthiness of
the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates.
Securities purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis may expose
the Fund to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to
their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a when-issued basis can
involve the additional risk that the yield available in the market when the
delivery takes place actually may be higher than that obtained in the
transaction itself. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment or when-
issued basis when the Fund is fully or almost fully invested may result in
greater potential fluctuation in the value of the Fund's net assets and its
net asset value per share.
Investment Considerations and Risks
Foreign Securities. Foreign securities markets generally are not as
developed or efficient as those in the United States. Securities of some
foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of
comparable U.S. issuers. Similarly, volume and liquidity in most foreign
securities markets are less than in the United States and, at times,
volatility of price can be greater than in the United States.
Because evidences of ownership of foreign securities usually are held
outside the United States, the Fund will be subject to additional risks
which include possible adverse political and economic developments, seizure
or nationalization of foreign deposits and adoption of governmental
restrictions which might adversely affect or restrict the payment of
principal and interest on the foreign securities to investors located
outside the country of the issuer, whether from currency blockage or
otherwise.
Since foreign securities often are purchased with and payable in
currencies of foreign countries, the value of these assets as measured in
U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency
rates and exchange control regulations.
Simultaneous Investments. Investment decisions for the Fund are made
independently from those of the other investment companies advised by the
Manager. If, however, such other investment companies desire to invest in,
or dispose of, the same securities as the Fund, available investments or
opportunities for sales will be allocated equitably to each investment
company. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the size of the
position obtained for or disposed of by the Fund or the price paid or
received by the Fund.
Investment Restrictions
The Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy, which cannot
be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the
1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Fund
has adopted investment restrictions numbered 1 through 14 as fundamental
policies. Investment restrictions numbered 15 through 17 are not
fundamental policies and may be changed by a vote of a majority of the
Fund's Board members at any time. The Fund may not:
1. Purchase the securities of any issuer if such purchase would cause more
than 5% of the value of its total assets to be invested in securities of
such issuer (except securities of the United States Government or any
instrumentality thereof).
2. Purchase the securities of any issuer if such purchase would cause the
Fund to hold more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer.
3. Purchase securities of any company having less than three years'
continuous operations (including operations of any predecessors) if such
purchase would cause the value of the Fund's investments in all such
companies to exceed 5% of the value of its total assets.
4. Purchase securities of closed-end investment companies, except in the
open market where no commission except the ordinary broker's commission is
paid, which purchases are limited to a maximum of 10% of its net assets, or
as part of a merger or consolidation. The Fund may not purchase or retain
securities issued by open-end investment companies other than itself.
5. Purchase or retain the securities of any issuer if the officers or
directors of the Fund or of the Manager, who own beneficially more than 1/2%
of the securities of such issuer, together own beneficially more than 5% of
the securities of such issuer.
6. Invest in commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and sell
options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices.
7. Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (which
currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the
Fund's total assets).
8. Make loans to others, except through the purchase of debt obligations
and the entry into repurchase agreements referred to in the Fund's
Prospectus. However, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an
amount not to exceed 33-1/3% of the value of its total assets. Any loans of
portfolio securities will be made according to guidelines established by the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the Fund's Board.
9. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers.
10. Purchase from or sell to any of its officers or directors or firms of
which any of them are affiliated persons, any securities (other than capital
stock of the Fund), but such persons or firms may act as brokers for the
Fund for customary commissions.
11. Invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising
management or control, but the Fund will vote the securities it owns in its
portfolio as a shareholder in accordance with its views.
12. Purchase securities on margin, but the Fund may obtain such short-term
credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of
securities.
13. Concentrate its investments in any particular industry or industries,
except that the Fund may invest up to 25% of the value of its total assets
in a single industry.
14. Purchase warrants in excess of 2% of net assets. Such warrants shall
be valued at the lower of cost or market (for purposes of this restriction),
except that warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to securities
shall not be included within this 2% restriction.
15. Purchase, sell or write puts, calls, or combinations thereof, except as
described in the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
16. Pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber its assets, except
to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings.
17. Enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than
seven days after notice or purchase securities which are illiquid if, in the
aggregate, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's net assets would be so
invested.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time an investment is
made, a later change in percentage resulting from a change in values or
assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Fund's Board is responsible for the management and supervision of
the Fund. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Fund
and those companies that furnish services to the Fund. These companies are
as follows:
The Dreyfus Corporation Investment Adviser
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. Distributor
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Transfer Agent
Mellon Bank, N.A. Custodian
Board members and officers of the Fund, together with information as to
their principal business occupations during at least the last five years,
are shown below.
Board Members of the Fund
JOSEPH S. DiMARTINO, Chairman of the Board. Since January 1995, Chairman of
the Board of various funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. He also is
a director of Noel Group, Inc., a venture capital company (for which,
from February 1995 until November 1997, he was Chairman of the Board),
the Muscular Dystrophy Association, HealthPlan Services Corporation, a
provider of marketing, administrative and risk management services to
health and other benefit programs, Carlyle Industries, Inc. (formerly
Belding Heminway Company, Inc.), a button packager and distributor,
Career Blazers, Inc, (formerly, Staffing Resources, Inc.), a temporary
placement firm, and Century Business Services, Inc., (formerly,
International Alliance Services, Inc.) a provider of various
outsourcing functions for small and medium sized companies. For more
than five years prior to January 1995, he was President, a director
and, until August 1994, Chief Operating Officer of the Manager and
Executive Vice President and a director of Dreyfus Service Corporation,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager and, until August 24, 1994,
the Fund's distributor. From August 1994 until December 31, 1994, he
was a director of Mellon Bank Corporation. He is 55 years old and his
address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
DAVID P. FELDMAN, Board Member. A director of several mutual funds in the
59 Wall Street Mutual Funds Group, and of the Jeffrey Company, a
private investment company. He was employed by AT&T from July 1961 to
his retirement in May 1997, most recently serving as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of AT&T Investment Management Corporation. He is 59
years old and his address is 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York
10017.
JOHN M. FRASER, JR., Board Member. Retired President of Fraser Associates,
a service company for planning and arranging corporate meetings and
other events. From September 1975 to June 1978, he was Executive Vice
President of Flagship Cruises Ltd. Prior thereto, he was Senior Vice
President and Resident Director of the Swedish-American Line for the
United States and Canada. He is 77 years old and his address is 133
East 64th Street, New York, New York 10021.
ROBERT R. GLAUBER, Board Member. Research Fellow, Center for Business and
Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard
University since January 1992. He was Under Secretary of the Treasury
for Finance at the U.S. Treasury Department from May 1989 to January
1992. For more than five years prior thereto, he was a Professor of
Finance at the Graduate School of Business Administration of Harvard
University and, from 1985 to 1989, Chairman of its Advancement
Management Program. He is Chairman of The Measurisk Group, a risk
measurement advisory and software development firm, Co-Chairman of the
Investment Committee, Massachusetts State Retirement Fund, and is also
a director of the Dun & Bradstreet Corp., Exel Limited, a Bermuda based
insurance company, Cooke & Bieler, investment counselors, National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., NASD Regulation, Inc. and the
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. He is 59 years old and his address is
79 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138.
JAMES F. HENRY, Board Member. President of the CPR Institute for Dispute
Resolution, a non-profit organization principally engaged in the
development of alternatives to business litigation. He was a partner
of Lovejoy, Wasson & Ashton from January 1977 to September 1979. He
was President and director of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, a
philanthropic organization, from September 1971 to December 1976. He
is 68 years old and his address is c/o CPR Institute for Dispute
Resolution, 366 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
ROSALIND GERSTEN JACOBS, Board Member. Merchandise and Marketing
Consultant. From 1997 to 1998 she was a director of Merchandise and
Marketing for Corporate Property Investors, a real estate investment
company. From 1974 to 1976, she was owner and manager of a merchandise
and marketing consulting firm. Prior to 1974, she was a Vice President
of Macy's, New York. Mrs. Jacobs is 73 years old and her address is
c/o Corporate Property Investors, 305 East 47th Street, New York, New
York 10017.
IRVING KRISTOL, Board Member. John M. Olin Distinguished Fellow of American
Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, co-editor of The
Public Interest magazine, and an author or co-editor of several books.
From May 1981 to December 1994, he was a consultant to the Manager on
economic matters; from 1969 to 1988, he was Professor of Social
Thought at the Graduate School of Business Administration, New York
University; from September 1969 to August 1979, he was Henry R. Luce
Professor of Urban Values at New York University; from 1975 to 1990, he
was a director of Lincoln National Corporation, an insurance company;
and from 1977 to 1990, he was a director of Warner-Lambert Company, a
pharmaceutical and consumer products company. He is 79 years old and
his address is c/o The Public Interest, 1112 16th Street, N.W., Suite
530, Washington, D.C. 20036.
DR. PAUL A. MARKS, Board Member. President and Chief Executive Officer of
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is also a director emeritus
of Pfizer, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, where he served as a
director from 1978 to 1996; and a director of Tulerik, Inc., a
biotechnology company, and Genos, Inc., a Genomics company. He was
Vice President for Health Sciences and Director of the Cancer Center at
Columbia University from 1973 to September 1980, and Professor of
Medicine and of Human Genetics and Development at Columbia University
from 1968 to 1982. He was a director of Life Technologies, Inc., a
life science company producing products for cell and molecular biology
and microbiology from 1986 to 1996. He is 72 years old and his address
is c/o Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New
York, New York 10021.
DR. MARTIN PERETZ, Board Member. Editor-in-Chief of The New Republic
magazine and a lecturer in Social Studies at Harvard University, where
he has been a member of the faculty since 1965. He is a trustee of The
Center for Blood Research at the Harvard Medical School, and of the
Academy for Liberal Education, an accrediting agency for colleges and
universities certified by the U.S. Department of Education; and a
director of LeukoSite Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. Dr. Peretz is
also Co-chairman of The Street.Com, a financial daily on the Web and a
director of The Electronic Newsstand, a distributor of magazines on the
Web. From 1988 to 1989, he was a director of Bank Leumi Trust Company
of New York; and from 1988 to 1991 he was a director of Carmel
Container Corporation. He is 59 years old and his address is c/o The
New Republic, 1220 19th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
BERT W. WASSERMAN, Board Member. Financial Consultant. He is also a
director of Malibu Entertainment International, Inc., the Lillian
Vernon Corporation and Winstar Communications, Inc. From January 1990
to March 1995, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, and from January 1990 to March 1993, a director of Time Warner
Inc.; from 1981 to 1990, he was a member of the Office of the President
and a director of Warner Communications, Inc. He is 66 years old and
his address is 126 East 56th Street, Suite 12 North, New York, New York
10022.
For so long as the Fund's plan described in the section captioned
"Shareholder Services Plan" remains in effect, the Board members of the Fund
who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act,
will be selected and nominated by the Board members who are not "interested
persons" of the Fund.
The Fund typically pays its Board members an annual retainer and a per
meeting fee and reimburses them for their expenses. The Chairman of the
Board receives an additional 25% of such compensation. Emeritus Board
members are entitled to receive an annual retainer and a per meeting fee of
one-half the amount paid to them as Board members. The aggregate
compensation paid to each Board member by the Fund for the fiscal year ended
February 28, 1999 and by all other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for
which such person was a Board member (the number of which is set forth in
parenthesis next to each Board member's total compensation)* during the year
ended December 31, 1998, were as follows:
Total
Compensation from
Aggregate Fund and Fund
Name of Board Compensation from Complex Paid to
Member Fund** Board Member
Joseph S. DiMartino $8,125 $619,660 (94)
David P. Feldman $ 6,500 $106,750 (37)
John M. Fraser, Jr. $ 6,500 $ 75,750 (14)
Robert R. Glauber $ 6,000 $ 88,250 (20)
James F. Henry $ 6,500 $ 54,250 (10)
Rosalind Gersten Jacobs $ 6,500 $ 84,000 (20)
Irving Kristol $ 6,500 $ 50,000 (10)
Dr. Paul A. Marks $ 6,500 $ 50,000 (10)
Dr. Martin Peretz $ 6,500 $ 54,250 (10)
Bert W. Wasserman $ 6,500 $ 54,250 (10)
___________________________
* Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment
companies in the Fund Complex, including the Fund, for which the Board
member serves.
** Amount does not include reimbursed expenses for attending Board
meetings, which amounted to $1,020 for all Board members as a group.
Officers of the Fund
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, President and Treasurer. President, Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and a director of the Distributor and
Funds Distributor, Inc., the ultimate parent of which is Boston
Institutional Group, Inc., and an officer of other investment companies
advised or administered by the Manager. She is 41 years old.
MARGARET W. CHAMBERS, Vice President and Secretary. Senior Vice President
and General Counsel of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
August 1996 to March 1998, she was Vice President and Assistant General
Counsel for Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. From January 1986 to July
1996, she was an associate with the law firm of Ropes & Gray. She is
38 years old.
FREDERICK C. DEY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary and Assistant
Treasurer. Vice President, New Business Development of Funds
Distributor, Inc. From 1988 to August 1994, he was Manager of High
Performance Fabrics Division of Springs Industries, Inc., where he was
responsible for sales and marketing. Prior to joining Springs
Industries, he served as an analyst at Lebow Industries. He is 38
years old.
STEPHANIE D. PIERCE, Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant
Treasurer. Vice President of the Distributor and Funds Distributor,
Inc., and an officer of other investment companies advised or
administered by the Manager. From April 1997 to March 1998, she was
employed as a Relationship Manager with Citibank, N.A. From August
1995 to April 1997, she was an Assistant Vice President with Hudson
Valley Bank, and from September 1990 to August 1995, she was Second
Vice President with Chase Manhattan Bank. She is 30 years old.
JOHN P. COVINO, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Vice President and
Treasury Group Manager of Treasury Servicing and Administration of
Funds Distributor, Inc. From December 1995 to November 1998, he was
employed by Fidelity Investments where he held multiple positions in
their Institutional Brokerage Group. Prior to joining Fidelity, he was
employed by SunGard Brokerage systems where he was responsible for the
technology and development of the accounting product group. He is 36
years old.
MARY A. NELSON, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Vice President of
the Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
September 1989 to July 1994, she was an Assistant Vice President and
Client Manager for The Boston Company, Inc. She is 34 years old.
GEORGE A. RIO, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Executive Vice
President and Client Service Director of Funds Distributor, Inc., and
an officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From June 1995 to March 1998, he was Senior Vice President
and Senior Key Account Manager for Putnam Mutual Funds. From May 1994
to June 1995, he was Director of Business Development for First Data
Corporation. He is 43 years old.
JOSEPH F. TOWER, III, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Senior Vice
President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and a director of the
Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From July
1988 to August 1994, he was employed by The Boston Company, Inc. where
he held various management positions in the Corporate Finance and
Treasury areas. He is 36 years old.
DOUGLAS C. CONROY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Assistant Vice
President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
April 1993 to January 1995, he was a Senior Fund Accountant for
Investors Bank & Trust Company. He is 29 years old.
CHRISTOPHER J. KELLEY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Vice
President and Senior Associate General Counsel of Funds Distributor,
Inc., and an officer of other investment companies advised or
administered by the Manager. From April 1994 to July 1996, he was
Assistant Counsel at Forum Financial Group. He is 33 years old.
KATHLEEN K. MORRISEY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Manager of
Treasury Services Administration of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From July 1994 to November 1995, she was a Fund Accountant
for Investors Bank & Trust Company. She is 26 years old.
ELBA VASQUEZ, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Assistant Vice
President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
March 1990 to May 1996, she was employed by U.S. Trust Company of New
York where she held various sales and marketing positions. She is 37
years old.
KAREN JACOPPO-WOOD, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Vice President
and Senior Counsel of Funds Distributor, Inc. From June 1994 to
January 1996, she was Manager of SEC Registration at Scudder, Stevens &
Clark, Inc. Prior to June 1994, she was a senior paralegal at The
Boston Company Advisors, Inc. She is 33 years old.
The address of each officer of the Fund is 200 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10166.
The Fund's Board members and officers, as a group, owned less than 1%
of the Fund's shares outstanding on June 2, 1999.
As of June 2, 1999 there were no shareholders who owned of record 5%
or more of the Fund's shares.
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTSS
Investment Adviser. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon
Bank, N.A., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation
("Mellon"). Mellon is a publicly owned multibank holding company
incorporated under Pennsylvania law in 1971 and registered under the Federal
Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Mellon provides a
comprehensive range of financial products and services in domestic and
selected international markets. Mellon is among the twenty-five largest
bank holding companies in the United States based on total assets.
The Manager provides management services pursuant to the Management
Agreement (the "Agreement") dated August 24, 1994, with the Fund, which is
subject to annual approval by (i) the Fund's Board or (ii) vote of a
majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund, provided that in either event its continuance also is approved
by a majority of the Board members who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or the Manager, by vote cast in person
at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
Shareholders approved the Agreement on August 2, 1994. The Fund's Board,
including a majority of the Board members who are not "interested persons"
of any party to the Agreement, last voted to renew the Agreement at a
meeting held on May 25, 1999. The Agreement is terminable without penalty,
on 60 days' notice, by the Fund's Board or by vote of a majority of the
Fund's shares or, upon not less than 90 days, notice, by the Manager. The
Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as
defined in the 1940 Act).
The following persons are officers and/or directors of the Manager:
Christopher M. Condron, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer;
Stephen E. Canter, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Investment
Officer and a director; Thomas F. Eggers, Vice Chairman--Institutional;
Lawrence S. Kash, Vice Chairman and a director; J. David Officer, Vice
Chairman and a director; Ronald P. O'Hanley III, Vice Chairman; William T.
Sandalls, Jr., Executive Vice President; Mark N. Jacobs, Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary; Diane P. Durnin, Vice President--Product
Development; Patrice M. Kozlowski, Vice President--Corporate Communications;
Mary Beth Leibig, Vice President--Human Resources; Andrew S. Wasser, Vice
President--Information Systems; Theodore A. Schachar, Vice President; Wendy
Strutt, Vice President; Richard Terres, Vice President; William H. Maresca,
Controller; James Bitetto, Assistant Secretary; Steven F. Newman, Assistant
Secretary; and Mandell L. Berman, Burton C. Borgelt, Steven G. Elliott,
Martin C. McGuinn, Richard W. Sabo and Richard F. Syron, directors.
The Manager manages the Fund's portfolio of investments in accordance
with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Fund's
Board. The Manager is responsible for investment decisions and provides the
Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Board to execute
purchases and sales of securities. The Fund's portfolio managers are
Timothy M. Ghriskey and Douglas D. Ramos. The Manager also maintains a
research department with a professional staff of portfolio managers and
securities analysts who provide research services for the Fund and for other
funds advised by the Manager.
The Manager maintains office facilities on behalf of the Fund, and
furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, accounting, data
processing, bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required
services to the Fund. The Manager may pay the Distributor for shareholder
services from the Manager's own assets, including past profits but not
including the management fee paid by the Fund. The Distributor may use part
or all of such payments to pay securities dealers, banks or other financial
institutions in respect of these services. The Manager also may make such
advertising and promotional expenditures, using its own resources, as it
from time to time deems appropriate.
Under The Manager's' personal securities trading policy (the "Policy"),
the Manager's employees must preclear personal transactions in securities
not exempt under the Policy. In addition, Dreyfus employees must report
their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for
compliance with the Policy. In that regard, the Manager's portfolio
managers and other investment personnel also are subject to the oversight of
Mellon's Investment Ethics Committee. The Manager's Portfolio managers and
other investment personnel of the Manager who comply with the Policy's
preclearance and disclosure procedures, and the requirements of the
Committee, may be permitted to purchase, sell or hold securities which also
may be or are held in fund(s) they manage or for which they otherwise
provide investment advice.
All expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund are borne by the
Fund, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The
expenses borne by the Fund include: taxes, interest, brokerage fees and
commissions, if any, fees of Board members who are not officers, directors,
employees or holders of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of
the Manager, Securities and Exchange Commission fees, state Blue Sky
qualification fees, advisory fees, charges of registrars and custodians,
transfer and dividend disbursing agents' fees, industry association fees,
outside auditing and legal expenses, costs of independent pricing services,
costs of maintaining corporate existence, all costs of insurance obtained
other than under a blanket policy covering one or more other investment
companies managed by the Manager, costs attributable to investor services
(including, without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses), costs of
shareholders' reports and corporate meetings, costs of preparing and
printing prospectuses for regulatory purposes and for distribution to
existing shareholders, and any extraordinary expenses.
As compensation for the Manager's services, the Fund has agreed to pay
the Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate of .75% of the
average daily value of the Fund's net assets. The management fees paid by
the Fund to the Manager for the fiscal years ended February 28, 1997, 1998
and 1999 amounted to $3,268,604, $3,800,814 and $3,500,827, respectively.
The Manager has agreed that if in any fiscal year the aggregate
expenses of the Fund, exclusive of taxes, brokerage fees, interest on
borrowings and (with the prior written consent of the necessary state
securities commissions) extraordinary expenses, but including the management
fee, exceed 1 1/2% of the average value of the Fund's net assets, the Manager
will reduce its fee to the extent of the excess over 1 1/2%. There was no
reduction in management fee for fiscal 1997, 1998 and 1999.
The aggregate of the fees payable to the Manager is not subject to
reduction as the value of the Fund's net assets increases.
Distributor. The Distributor, located at 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, serves as the Fund's distributor on a best efforts
basis pursuant to an agreement which is renewable annually.
The Distributor may pay dealers a fee based on the amount invested
through such dealers in Fund shares by employees participating in qualified
or non-qualified employee benefit plans or other programs where (i) the
employers or affiliated employers maintaining such plans or programs have a
minimum of 250 employees eligible for participation in such plans or
programs, or (ii) such plan's or program's aggregate investment in the
Dreyfus Family or Funds or certain other products made available by the
Distributor to such plan or programs exceeds $1,000,000 ("Eligible Benefit
Plans"). Generally, the fee paid to dealers will not exceed 1% of the
amount invested through such dealers. The Distributor, however, may pay
dealers a higher fee and reserves the right to cease paying these fees at
any time. The Distributor will pay such fees from its own funds, other than
amounts received from the Fund, including past profits or any other source
available to it.
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian. Dreyfus
Transfer, Inc., (the "Transfer Agent"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Manager, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, is the Fund's
transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under a transfer agency agreement
with the Fund, the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of
shareholder account records for the Fund, the handling of certain
communications between shareholders and the Fund and the payment of
dividends and distributions payable by the Fund. For these services, the
Transfer Agent receives a monthly fee computed on the basis of the number of
shareholder accounts it maintains for the Fund during the month, and is
reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.
Mellon Bank, N.A. (the "Custodian"), the Manager's parent, One Mellon
Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258, is the Fund's custodian. Under
a custody agreement with the Fund, the Custodian holds the Fund's securities
and keeps all necessary accounts and records. For its custody services, the
Custodian receives a monthly fee based on the market value of the Fund's
assets held in custody and receives certain securities transactions charges.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
General. Fund shares are sold without a sales charge. You may be
charged a fee if you effect transactions in Fund shares through a securities
dealer, bank or other financial institution. Share certificates are issued
only upon your written request. No certificates are issued for fractional
shares. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order.
The minimum initial investment is $2,500, or $1,000 if you are a client
of a securities dealer, bank or other financial institution which maintains
an omnibus account in the Fund and has made an aggregate minimum initial
purchase for its customers of $2,500. Subsequent investments must be at
least $100. However, the minimum initial investment is $750 for Dreyfus-
sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-
working spouse, Roth IRAs, Simplified Employee Pension Plans ("SEP-IRAs")
and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant and $500
for Dreyfus-sponsored Education IRAs, with no minimum for subsequent
purchases. The initial investment must be accompanied by the Account
Application. For full-time or part-time employees of the Manager or any of
its affiliates or subsidiaries, directors of the Manager, Board members of a
fund advised by the Manager, including members of the Fund's Board, or the
spouse or minor child of any of the foregoing, the minimum initial
investment is $1,000. For full-time or part-time employees of the Manager
or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries who elect to have a portion of
their pay directly deposited into their Fund accounts, the minimum initial
investment is $50. The Fund reserves the right to offer Fund shares without
regard to minimum purchase requirements to employees participating in
certain qualified or non-qualified benefit plans or other programs where
contributions or account information can be transmitted in a manner and form
acceptable to the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to vary further the
initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time.
Fund shares also are offered without regard to the minimum initial
investment requirements through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builderr, Dreyfus
Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan pursuant
to the Dreyfus Step Program described under "Shareholder Services." These
services enable you to make regularly scheduled investments and may provide
you with a convenient way to invest for long-term financial goals. You
should be aware, however, that periodic investment plans do not guarantee a
profit and will not protect you against loss in a declining market.
Shares are sold on a continuous basis at the net asset value per share
next determined after an order in proper form is received by the Transfer
Agent or other entity authorized to receive orders on behalf of the Fund.
Net asset value per share is determined as of the close of trading on the
floor of the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time),
on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. For purposes
of determining net asset value per share, options and futures contracts will
be valued 15 minutes after the close of trading on the floor of the New York
Stock Exchange. Net asset value per share is computed by dividing the value
of the Fund's net assets (i.e., the value of its assets less liabilities) by
the total number of shares outstanding. The Fund's investments are valued
based on market value, or where market quotations are not readily available,
based on fair value as determined in good faith by or in accordance with
procedures fixed by the Fund's Board. For further information regarding the
methods employed in valuing Fund investments, see "Determination of Net
Asset Value."
For certain institutions that have entered into agreements with the
Distributor, payment for the purchase of Fund shares may be transmitted, and
must be received by the Transfer Agent, within three business days after the
order is placed. If such payment is not received within three business days
after the order is placed, the order may be canceled and the institution
could be held liable for resulting fees and/or losses.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may purchase shares by telephone
if you have checked the appropriate box and supplied the necessary
information on the Account Application or have filed a Shareholder Services
Form with the Transfer Agent. The proceeds will be transferred between the
bank account designated in one of these documents and your Fund account.
Only a bank account maintained in a domestic financial institution which is
an Automated Clearing House ("ACH") member may be so designated.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer purchase orders may be made at any time. Purchase
orders received by 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any day the Transfer Agent
and the New York Stock Exchange are open for business will be credited to
the shareholder's Fund account on the next bank business day following such
purchase order. Purchase orders made after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any
day the Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are open for
business, or orders made on Saturday, Sunday or any Fund holiday (e.g., when
the New York Stock Exchange is not open for business), will be credited to
the shareholder's Fund account on the second bank business day following
such purchase order. To qualify to use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege,
the initial payment for purchase of Fund shares must be drawn on, and
redemption proceeds paid to, the same bank and account as are designated on
the Account Application or Shareholder Services Form on file. If the
proceeds of a particular redemption are to be wired to an account at any
other bank, the request must be in writing and signature-guaranteed. See
"How to Redeem Shares--Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Transactions Through Securities Dealers. Fund shares may be purchased
and redeemed through securities dealers which may charge a fee for such
services. Some dealers will place the Fund's shares in an account with
their firm. Dealers also may require the following: that the customer
invest more than the $1,000 minimum investment through dealers; the customer
not take physical delivery of stock certificates; the customer not request
redemption checks to be issued in the customer's name; fractional shares not
be purchased; monthly income distributions be taken in cash; or other
conditions.
There is no sales or service charge by the Fund or the Distributor
although investment dealers, banks and other institutions may make
reasonable charges to investors for their services. The services provided
and the applicable fees are established by each dealer or other institution
acting independently of the Fund. The Fund has been given to understand
that these fees may be charged for customer services including, but not
limited to, same-day investment of client funds; same-day access to client
funds; advice to customers about the status of their accounts, yield
currently being paid or income earned to date; provision of periodic account
statements showing security and money market positions; other services
available from the dealer, bank or other institution; and assistance with
inquiries related to their investment. Any such fees will be deducted
monthly from the investor's account, which on smaller accounts could
constitute a substantial portion of distributions. Small, inactive,
long-term accounts involving monthly service charges may not be in the best
interest of investors. Investors should be aware that they may purchase
shares of the Fund directly from the Fund without imposition of any
maintenance or service charges, other than those already described herein.
Reopening an Account. You may reopen an account with a minimum
investment of $100 without filing a new Account Application during the
calendar year the account is closed or during the following calendar year,
provided the information on the old Account Application is still applicable.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan (the "Plan") pursuant
to which the Fund reimburses Dreyfus Service Corporation an amount not to
exceed the annual rate of .25% of the Fund's average daily net assets for
certain allocated expenses of providing personal services and/or maintaining
shareholder accounts. The services provided may include personal services
relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries
regarding the Fund and providing reports and other information, and services
related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Plan, and the
purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the
Board for its review. In addition, the Plan provides that material
amendments of the Plan must be approved by the Board, and by the Board
members who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
the Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
considering such amendments. The Plan is subject to annual approval by such
vote of the Board members cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on the Plan. The Plan was last so approved on May 25, 1999. The
Plan is terminable at any time by vote of a majority of the Board members
who are not "interested persons" and have no direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Plan.
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 1999, the Fund was charged
$705,869 pursuant to the Plan.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
Wire Redemption Privilege. By using this Privilege, you authorize the
Transfer Agent to act on wire, telephone or letter redemption instructions
from any person representing himself or herself to be you, and reasonably
believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the Fund will
initiate payment for shares redeemed pursuant to this Privilege on the next
business day after receipt if the Transfer Agent receives the redemption
request in proper form. Redemption proceeds ($1,000 minimum) will be
transferred by Federal Reserve wire only to the commercial bank account
specified by you on the Account Application or Shareholder Services Form, or
to a correspondent bank if your bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve
System. Fees ordinarily are imposed by such bank and borne by the investor.
Immediate notification by the correspondent bank to your bank is necessary
to avoid a delay in crediting the funds to your bank account.
If you have access to telegraphic equipment, you may wire redemption
requests to the Transfer Agent by employing the following transmittal code
which may be used for domestic or overseas transmissions:
Transfer Agent's
Transmittal Code Answer Back Sign
144295 144295 TSSG PREP
If you do not have direct access to telegraphic equipment, you may have
the wire transmitted by contacting a TRT Cables operator at 1-800-654-7171,
toll free. You should advise the operator that the above transmittal code
must be used and should also inform the operator of the Transfer Agent's
answer back sign.
To change the commercial bank or account designated to receive
redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent.
This request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature
guaranteed as described below under "Stock Certificates; Signatures."
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may request by telephone that
redemption proceeds be transferred between your Fund account and your bank
account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic financial institution
which is an ACH member may be designated. Redemption proceeds will be on
deposit in your account at an ACH member bank ordinarily two business days
after receipt of the redemption request. Holders of jointly registered Fund
or bank accounts may redeem through the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege for
transfer to their bank account not more than $250,000 within any 30-day
period. You should be aware that if you have selected the Dreyfus
TeleTransfer Privilege, any request for a wire redemption will be effected
as a Dreyfus TeleTransfer transaction through the ACH system unless more
prompt transmittal specifically is requested. See "How to Buy Shares--
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Stock Certificates; Signatures. Any stock certificates representing
Fund shares to be redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request.
Written redemption requests must be signed by each shareholder, including
each holder of a joint account, and each signature must be guaranteed.
Signatures on endorsed certificates submitted for redemption also must be
guaranteed. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards and procedures
pursuant to which signature-guarantees in proper form generally will be
accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national
securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies
and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock
Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program ("STAMP") and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program.
Guarantees must be signed by an authorized signatory of the guarantor and
"Signature-Guaranteed" must appear with the signature. The Transfer Agent
may request additional documentation from corporations, executors,
administrators, trustees or guardians, and may accept other suitable
verification arrangements from foreign investors, such as consular
verification. For more information with respect to signature-guarantees,
please call one of the telephone numbers listed on the cover.
Redemption Commitment. The Fund has committed itself to pay in cash
all redemption requests by any shareholder of record, limited in amount
during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the
Fund's net assets at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is
irrevocable without the prior approval of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is a fundamental policy of the Fund which may not be changed
without shareholder approval. In the case of requests for redemption in
excess of such amount, the Fund's Board reserves the right to make payments
in whole or in part in securities or other assets of the Fund in case of an
emergency or any time a cash distribution would impair the liquidity of the
Fund to the detriment of the existing shareholders. In such event, the
securities would be valued in the same manner as the Fund's portfolio is
valued. If the recipient sells such securities, brokerage charges would be
incurred.
Suspension of Redemptions. The right of redemption may be suspended or
the date of payment postponed (a) during any period when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (b)
when trading in the markets the Fund ordinarily utilizes is restricted, or
when an emergency exists as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission so that disposal of the Fund's investments or determination of
its net asset value is not reasonably practicable or (c) for such other
periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission by order may permit to
protect the Fund's shareholders.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
Fund Exchanges. You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund,
shares of certain other funds managed or administered by the Manager, to the
extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence. Shares
of other funds purchased by exchange will be purchased on the basis of
relative net asset value per share as follows:
A. Exchanges for shares of funds offered without a sales load will be
made without a sales load.
B. Shares of funds purchased without a sales load may be exchanged
for shares of other funds sold with a sales load, and the
applicable sales load will be deducted.
C. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load may be exchanged
without a sales load for shares of other funds sold without a
sales load.
D. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load, shares of funds
acquired by a previous exchange from shares purchased with a sales
load, and additional shares acquired through reinvestment of
dividends or distributions of any such funds (collectively
referred to herein as "Purchased Shares") may be exchanged for
shares of other funds sold with a sales load (referred to herein
as "Offered Shares"), but, if the sales load applicable to the
Offered Shares exceeds the maximum sales load that could have been
imposed in connection with the Purchased Shares (at the time the
Purchased Shares were acquired), without giving effect to any
reduced loads, the difference will be deducted.
To accomplish an exchange under item D above, you must notify the
Transfer Agent of your prior ownership of fund shares and your account
number.
To request an exchange, you must give exchange instructions to the
Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. The ability to issue exchange
instructions by telephone is given to all Fund shareholders automatically,
unless you check the applicable "No" box on the Account Application,
indicating that you specifically refuse this privilege. By using the
Telephone Exchange Privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on
telephonic instructions (including over The Dreyfus Touchr automated
telephone system) from any person representing himself or herself to be you,
and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Telephone
exchanges may be subject to limitations as to the amount involved or the
number of telephone exchanges permitted. Shares issued in certificate form
are not eligible for telephone exchange. No fees currently are charged
shareholders directly in connection with exchanges, although the Fund
reserves the right, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, to charge
shareholders a nominal administrative fee in accordance with rules
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
To establish a personal retirement plan by exchange, shares of the fund
being exchanged must have a value of at least the minimum initial investment
required for the fund into which the exchange is being made.
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege. Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege
permits you to purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of
another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of which you are a shareholder.
This Privilege is available only for existing accounts. Shares will be
exchanged on the basis of relative net asset value as described above under
"Fund Exchanges." Enrollment in or modification or cancellation of this
Privilege is effective three business days following notification by you.
You will be notified if your account falls below the amount designated to be
exchanged under this Privilege. In this case, your account will fall to
zero unless additional investments are made in excess of the designated
amount prior to the next Auto-Exchange transaction. Shares held under an
IRA and other retirement plans are eligible for this Privilege. Exchanges
of IRA shares may be made between IRA accounts and from regular accounts to
IRA accounts, but not from IRA accounts to regular accounts. With respect
to all other retirement accounts, exchanges may be made only among those
accounts.
Shareholder Services Forms and prospectuses of the other funds may be
obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561. The Fund reserves the right to reject
any exchange request in whole or in part. Shares may be exchanged only
between accounts having identical names and other identifying designations.
The Fund Exchanges service or Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege may be
modified or terminated at any time upon notice to shareholders.
Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builderr. Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder
permits you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of $150,000
per transaction) at regular intervals selected by you. Fund shares are
purchased by transferring funds from the bank account designated by you.
Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege. Dreyfus Government Direct
Deposit Privilege enables you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and
maximum of $50,000 per transaction) by having Federal salary, Social
Security, or certain veterans', military or other payments from the U.S.
Government automatically deposited into your Fund account. You may deposit
as much of such payments as you elect.
Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan permits you
to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 per transaction) automatically on a
regular basis. Depending upon your employer's direct deposit program, you
may have part or all of your paycheck transferred to your existing Dreyfus
account electronically through the ACH system at each pay period. To
establish a Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan account, you must file an
authorization form with your employer's payroll department. It is the sole
responsibility of your employer, to arrange for transactions under the
Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan.
Dreyfus Step Program. The Dreyfus Step Program enables you to purchase
Fund shares without regard to the Fund's minimum initial investment
requirements through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builderr, Dreyfus Government
Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. To establish a
Dreyfus Step Program account, you must supply the necessary information on
the Account Application and file the required authorization form(s) with the
Transfer Agent. For more information concerning this Program, or to request
the necessary authorization form(s), please call toll free 1-800-782-6620.
You may terminate your participation in this Program at any time by
discontinuing your participation in Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder, Dreyfus
Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan, as the
case may be, as provided under the terms of such Privilege(s). The Fund may
modify or terminate this Program at any time. If you wish to purchase Fund
shares through the Dreyfus Step Program in conjunction with a Dreyfus-
sponsored retirement plan, you may do so only for IRAs, SEP-IRAs and
rollover IRAs.
Dreyfus Dividend Options. Dreyfus Dividend Sweep allows you to invest
automatically your dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if
any, from the Fund in shares of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds
of which you are a shareholder. Shares of other funds purchased pursuant to
this privilege will be purchased on the basis of relative net asset value
per share as follows:
A. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be invested without
imposition of a sales load in shares of other funds offered
without a sales load.
B. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund which does not charge a
sales load may be invested in shares of other funds sold with a
sales load, and the applicable sales load will be deducted.
C. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund that charges a sales
load may be invested in shares of other funds sold with a sales
load (referred to herein as "Offered Shares"), but if the sales
load applicable to the Offered Shares exceeds the maximum sales
load charged by the fund from which dividends or distributions are
being swept (without giving effect to any reduced loads), the
difference will be deducted.
D. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be invested in
shares of other funds that impose a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC") and the applicable CDSC, if any, will be imposed
upon redemption of such shares.
Dreyfus Dividend ACH permits you to transfer electronically dividends
or dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, from the Fund to a
designated bank account. Only an account maintained at a domestic financial
institution which is an ACH member may be so designated. Banks may charge a
fee for this service.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits you
to request withdrawal of a specified dollar amount (minimum of $50) on
either a monthly or quarterly basis if you have a $5,000 minimum account.
Withdrawal payments are the proceeds from sales of Fund shares, not the
yield on the shares. If withdrawal payments exceed reinvested dividends and
distributions, your shares will be reduced and eventually may be exhausted.
The Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by you, the Fund
or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates have been issued may
not be redeemed through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Corporate Pension/Profit-Sharing and Retirement Plans. The Fund makes
available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and profit-sharing
plans, including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the Fund
makes available Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for
a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, Education IRAs and rollover IRAs)
and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support services also are available.
If you wish to purchase Fund shares in conjunction with a Keogh Plan, a
403(b)(7) Plan or an IRA, including a SEP-IRA, you may request from the
Distributor forms for adoption of such plans.
The entity acting as custodian for Keogh Plans, 403(b)(7) Plans or IRAs
may charge a fee, payment of which could require the liquidation of shares.
All fees charged are described in the appropriate form.
Shares may be purchased in connection with these plans only by direct
remittance to the entity acting as custodian. Purchases for these plans may
not be made in advance of receipt of funds.
You should read the prototype retirement plan and the appropriate form
of custodial agreement for further details on eligibility, service fees and
tax implications, and should consult a tax adviser.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Valuation of Portfolio Securities. Portfolio securities, including
covered call options written, are valued at the last sales price on the
securities exchange or national market on which such securities primarily
are traded. Securities not listed on an exchange or national securities
market, or securities for which there were no transactions, are valued at
the average of the most recent bid and asked prices, except in the case of
open short positions where the asked price is used for valuation purposes.
Bid price is used when no asked price is available. Market quotations of
foreign securities in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at
the prevailing rates of exchange. Any securities or other assets for which
recent market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value
as determined in good faith by the Board. Expenses and fees, including the
management fee (reduced by any expense limitation) are accrued daily and
taken into account for the purpose of determining the net asset value of
Fund shares.
New York Stock Exchange Closings. The holidays (as observed) on which
the New York Stock Exchange is closed currently are: New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Management believes that the Fund has qualified for the fiscal year
ended February 28, 1999 as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Fund intends to
continue to so qualify if such qualification is in the best interests of its
shareholders. Such qualification relieves the Fund of any liability for
Federal income tax to the extent its earnings are distributed in accordance
with applicable provisions of the Code. To qualify as a regulated
investment company, the Fund must distribute at least 90% of its net income
(consisting of net investment income and net short-term capital gain) to its
shareholders and meet certain asset diversification and other requirements.
The term "regulated investment company" does not imply the supervision of
management or investment practices or policies by any government agency.
If you elect to receive dividends and distributions in cash, and your
dividend or distribution check is returned to the Fund as undeliverable or
remains uncashed for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest
such dividend or distribution and all future dividends and distributions
payable to you in additional Fund shares at net asset value. No interest
will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption
checks.
Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after your purchase may have
the effect of reducing the net asset value of your shares below the original
cost of your investment. Such a dividend or distribution would be a return
on investment in an economic sense although taxable as stated in the Fund's
Prospectus. In addition, the Code provides that if a shareholder holds
shares of the Fund for six months (or such shorter period as the Internal
Revenue Service may prescribe by regulation) and has received a capital gain
distribution with respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of
such shares will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the
capital gain distribution received.
Depending on the composition of the Fund's income, all or a portion of
the dividends paid by the Fund from net investment income may qualify for
the dividends received deduction allowable to certain U.S. corporate
shareholders ("dividends received deduction"). In general, dividend income
of the Fund distributed to qualifying corporate shareholders will be
eligible for the dividends received deduction only to the extent that the
Fund's income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations. However,
Section 246(c) of the Code provides that if a qualifying corporate
shareholder has disposed of Fund shares held for less than 46 days, which 46
days generally must be during the 90 day period commencing 45 days before
the shares become ex-dividend, and has received a dividend from net
investment income with respect to such shares, the portion designated by the
Fund as qualifying for the dividends received deduction will not be eligible
for such shareholder's dividends received deduction. In addition, the Code
provides other limitations with respect to the ability of a qualifying
corporate shareholder to claim the dividends received deduction in
connection with holding Fund shares.
Ordinarily, gains and losses realized from portfolio transactions will
be treated as capital gains and losses. However, a portion of the gain or
loss realized from the disposition of foreign currencies (including foreign
currency denominated bank deposits) and non-U.S. dollar denominated
securities (including debt instruments and certain forward contracts and
options) may be treated as ordinary income or loss under Section 988 of the
Code. In addition, all or a portion of the gain realized from the
disposition of certain market discount bonds will be treated as ordinary
income under Section 1278 of the Code. Finally, all or a portion of the
gain realized from engaging in "conversion transactions" may be treated as
ordinary income under Section 1258 of the Code. "Conversion transactions"
are defined to include certain forward, futures, option and straddle
transactions, transactions marketed or sold to produce capital gains, or
transactions described in Treasury regulations to be issued in the future.
Under Section 1256 of the Code, any gain or loss the Fund realizes from
certain forward contracts and options transactions will be treated as 60%
long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss.
Gain or loss will arise upon exercise or lapse of such contracts and options
as well as from closing transactions. In addition, any such contracts or
options remaining unexercised at the end of the Fund's taxable year will be
treated as sold for their then fair market value, resulting in additional
gain or loss to the Fund.
Offsetting positions held by the Fund involving certain foreign
currency forward contracts or options may constitute "straddles."
"Straddles" are defined to include "offsetting positions" in actively traded
personal property. The tax treatment of "straddles" is governed by Sections
1092 and 1258 of the Code, which, in certain circumstances, override or
modify the provisions of Sections 1256 and 988 of the Code. As such, all or
a portion of any short or long-term capital gains from certain "straddle"
and/or conversion transactions may be recharacterized as ordinary income.
If the Fund were treated as entering into "straddles" by reason of its
engaging in certain forward contracts or options transactions, such
"straddles" would be characterized as "mixed straddles" if the forward
contracts or options transactions comprising a part of such "straddles" were
governed by Section 1256 of the Code. The Fund may make one or more
elections with respect to "mixed straddles." Depending on which election is
made, if any, the results to the Fund may differ. If no election is made,
to the extent the "straddles" rules apply to positions established by the
Fund, losses realized by the Fund will be deferred to the extent of
unrealized gain in the offsetting position. Moreover, as a result of the
"straddle" and the conversion transaction rules, short-term capital loss on
"straddle" positions may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and
long-term capital gains may be treated as short-term capital gains or
ordinary income.
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 included constructive sale provisions
that generally apply if the Fund either (1) holds an appreciated financial
position with respect to stock, certain debt obligations, or partnership
interest ("appreciated financial position") and then enters into a short
sale, futures, forward, or offsetting notional principal contract
(collectively, a "Contract") respecting the same or substantially identical
property or (2) holds an appreciated financial position that is a Contract
and then acquires property that is the same as, or substantially identical
to, the underlying property. In each instance, with certain exceptions, the
Fund generally will be taxed as if the appreciated financial position were
sold at its fair market value on the date the Fund enters into the financial
position or acquires the property, respectively. Transactions that are
identified hedging or straddle transactions under other provisions of the
Code can be subject to the constructive sale provisions.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Manager assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf
of the Fund for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. Allocation of
brokerage transactions, including their frequency, is made in the best
judgment of the Manager and in a manner deemed fair and reasonable to
shareholders. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at
the most favorable net price. Subject to this consideration, the brokers
selected will include those that supplement the Manager's research
facilities with statistical data, investment information, economic facts and
opinions. Information so received is in addition to and not in lieu of
services required to be performed by the Manager and the Manager's fee is
not reduced as a consequence of the receipt of such supplemental
information. Such information may be useful to the Manager in serving both
the Fund and other funds which it advises and, conversely, supplemental
information obtained by the placement of business of other clients may be
useful to the Manager in carrying out its obligation to the Fund. Brokers
also are selected based upon their sales of shares of the Fund or other
funds advised by the Manager or its affiliates, as well as their ability to
handle special executions such as are involved in large block trades or
broad distributions, provided the primary consideration is met. Large block
trades may, in certain cases, result from two or more funds in the Dreyfus
Family of Funds being engaged simultaneously in the purchase or sale of the
same security.
The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated
by the Manager based upon its knowledge of available information about the
general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for
comparable services. When transactions are executed in the over-the-counter
market, the Fund will deal with the primary market makers unless a more
favorable price or execution otherwise is obtainable.
The Fund paid total brokerage commissions for its portfolio securities
transactions of $1,979,405, $1,505,341 and $1,552,651 for the fiscal years
ended February 28, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively, none of which was paid
to the Distributor or the Manager or of any of their affiliates. The above
amounts do not include gross spreads and concessions in connection with
principal transactions, which, where determinable, totaled $491,570,
$271,990 and $27,324 for fiscal 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively, none of
which was paid to the Distributor or the Manager or any of their affiliates.
The aggregate amount of transactions of the Fund during the fiscal year
ended February 28, 1999 in securities effected on an agency basis through a
broker in consideration of among other things, research services provided
was $196,317,518, and the commissions and concessions related to such
transactions were $239,504.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Fund's average annual total return for the one, five and ten year
periods ended February 28, 1999 was 10.57%, 14.29% and 11.58%, respectively.
Average annual total return is calculated by determining the ending
redeemable value of an investment purchased with a hypothetical $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the period (assuming the reinvestment of
dividends and distributions), dividing by the amount of the initial
investment, taking the "n"th root of the quotient (where "n" is the number
of years in the period) and subtracting 1 from the result.
The Fund's total return for the period February 4, 1972 to February 28,
1999 was $2,032.41. Total return is calculated by subtracting the amount of
the Fund's net asset value per share at the beginning of a stated period
from the net asset value per share at the end of the period (after giving
effect to the reinvestment of dividends and distributions during the
period), and dividing the result by the net asset value per share at the
beginning of the period.
Comparative performance information may be used from time to time in
advertising the Fund's shares, including data from Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc., the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500
Composite Stock Price Index, Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index,
Morningstar, Inc. or other industry publications. From time to time,
advertising material for the Fund may include biographical information
relating to one or more of its portfolio managers and may refer to, or
include commentary by, a portfolio manager relating to investment strategy,
asset growth, current or past business, political, economic or financial
conditions and other matters of general interest to investors. In addition,
from time to time, advertising materials for the Fund may refer to
Morningstar ratings and related analyses supporting the ratings.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
Each Fund share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in
accordance with the terms of the offering, is fully paid and nonassessable.
Fund shares are of one class and have equal rights as to dividends and in
liquidation. Shares have no preemptive, subscription, or conversion rights
and are freely transferable.
Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act, ordinarily it will not be
necessary for the Fund to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a
result, Fund shareholders may not consider each year the election of Board
members or the appointment of auditors. However, the holders of at least 10%
of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote may require the Fund to hold
a special meeting of shareholders for purposes of removing a Board member
from office. Fund shareholders may remove a Board member by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. In addition,
the Board will call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing
Board members if, at any time, less than a majority of the Board members
then holding office have been elected by shareholders.
The Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not
designed to provide investors with a means of speculating on short-term
market movements. A pattern of frequent purchases and exchanges can be
disruptive to efficient portfolio management and, consequently, can be
detrimental to the Fund's performance and its shareholders. Accordingly, if
the Fund's management determines that an investor is following a market-
timing strategy or is otherwise engaging in excessive trading, the Fund,
with or without prior notice, may temporarily or permanently terminate the
availability of Fund Exchanges, or reject in whole or part any purchase or
exchange request, with respect to such investor's account. Such investors
also may be barred from purchasing other funds in the Dreyfus Family of
Funds. Generally, an investor who makes more than four exchanges out of the
Fund during any calendar year or who makes exchanges that appear to coincide
with a market-timing strategy may be deemed to be engaged in excessive
trading. Accounts under common ownership or control will be considered as
one account for purposes of determining a pattern of excessive trading. In
addition, the Fund may refuse or restrict purchase or exchange requests by
any person or group if, in the judgment of the Fund's management, the Fund
would be unable to invest the money effectively in accordance with its
investment objective and policies or could otherwise be adversely affected
or if the Fund receives or anticipates receiving simultaneous orders that
may significantly affect the Fund (e.g., amounts equal to 1% or more of the
Fund's total assets). If an exchange request is refused, the Fund will take
no other action with respect to the shares until it receives further
instructions from the investor. The Fund may delay forwarding redemption
proceeds for up to seven days if the investor redeeming shares is engaged in
excessive trading or if the amount of the redemption request otherwise would
be disruptive to efficient portfolio management or would adversely affect
the Fund. The Fund's policy on excessive trading applies to investors who
invest in the Fund directly or through financial intermediaries, but does
not apply to the Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege, to any automatic
investment or withdrawal privilege described herein, or to participants in
employer-sponsored retirement plans.
During times of drastic economic or market conditions, the Fund may
suspend Fund Exchanges temporarily without notice and treat exchange
requests based on their separate components--redemption orders with a
simultaneous request to purchase the other fund's shares. In such a case,
the redemption request would be processed at the Fund's next determined net
asset value but the purchase order would be effective only at the net asset
value next determined after the fund being purchased receives the proceeds
of the redemption, which may result in the purchase being delayed.
The Fund sends annual and semi-annual financial statements to all its
shareholders.
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York
10038-4982, as counsel for the Fund, has rendered its opinion as to certain
legal matters regarding the due authorization and valid issuance of the
shares being sold pursuant to the Fund's Prospectus.
Ernst & Young LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019,
independent auditors, have been selected as independent auditors of the
Fund.
DREYFUS GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
_________________________
Item 23. Exhibits. - List
_______ _________________________________________
(b) Exhibits:
(a) Registrant's Articles of Incorporation and Articles of Amendment are
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 42 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 26,
1996.
(b) Registrant's By-Laws as amended.
(d) Management Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (5) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registration Statement on Form
N-1A, filed on June 24, 1995.
(e) Distribution Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (6) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registration Statement on Form
N-1A, filed on June 24, 1995.
(g) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 8 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 26, 1996.
(i) Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 26, 1996.
(j) Consent of Independent Auditors.
Item 23. Financial Statements and Exhibits. - List (continued)
_______ _____________________________________________________
Other Exhibits
______________
(a) Powers of Attorney.
(b) Certificate of Secretary.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.
_______ ______________________________________________________________
Not Applicable
Item 25. Indemnification
_______ _______________
Reference is made to Article SEVENTH of the Registrant's
Articles of Incorporation filed as Exhibit 1(a) hereto and to
Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation law. The
application of these provisions is limited by Article VIII of the
Registrant's By-Laws incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) of Post-
Effective Amendment No. 42, filed on June 26, 1996 and by the
following undertaking set forth in the rules promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission:
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in such Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has
been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Reference is also made to the Distribution Agreement, as
amended, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (6)
and to the Management Agreement, as amended, which are incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (5) of Post-Effective Amendment No.
39, filed on June 24, 1995.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
_______ ____________________________________________________
The Dreyfus Corporation ("Dreyfus") and subsidiary companies
comprise a financial service organization whose business
consists primarily of providing investment management services
as the investment adviser, manager and distributor for sponsored
investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 and as an investment adviser to institutional and
individual accounts. Dreyfus also serves as sub-investment
adviser to and/or administrator of other investment companies.
Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Dreyfus, serves primarily as a registered broker-dealer of
shares of investment companies sponsored by Dreyfus and of other
investment companies for which Dreyfus acts as investment
adviser, sub-investment adviser or administrator. Dreyfus
Investment Advisors, Inc., another wholly-owned subsidiary,
provides investment management services to various pension
plans, institutions and individuals.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (continued)
Officers and Directors of Investment Adviser
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Name and Position
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
Christopher M. Condron Franklin Portfolio Associates, LLC* Director 1/97 - Present
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Director 10/97 - Present
President 10/97 - 6/98
Chairman 10/97 - 6/98
The Boston Company Director 1/98 - Present
Asset Management, LLC* Chairman 1/98 - 6/98
President 1/98 - 6/98
The Boston Company President 9/95 - 1/98
Asset Management, Inc.* Chairman 4/95 - 1/98
Pareto Partners Partner Representative 11/95 - 5/97
271 Regent Street
London, England W1R 8PP
Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 1/97 - Present
Certus Asset Advisors Corp.** Director 6/95 -Present
Mellon Capital Management Director 5/95 -Present
Corporation***
Mellon Bond Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/98 - Present
Member
Mellon Bond Associates+ Trustee 5/95 -1/98
Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/98 - Present
Member
Mellon Equity Associates+ Trustee 5/95 - 1/98
Boston Safe Advisors, Inc.* Director 5/95 - Present
President 5/95 - Present
Mellon Bank, N.A. + Director 1/99 - Present
Chief Operating Officer 3/98 - Present
President 3/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 11/94 - 3/98
Mellon Bank Corporation+ Chief Operating Officer 1/99 - Present
President 1/99 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 11/94 - 1/99
Christopher M. Condron The Boston Company, Inc.* Vice Chairman 1/94 - Present
Chairman and Chief Director 5/93 - Present
Executive Officer
(Continued) Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Exec. Committee 1/98 - 8/98
Member
Laurel Capital Advisors+ Trustee 10/93 - 1/98
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Director 5/93 -Present
Company*
The Boston Company Financial President 6/89 - Present
Strategies, Inc. * Director 6/89 - Present
Mandell L. Berman Self-Employed Real Estate Consultant, 11/74 - Present
Director 29100 Northwestern Highway Residential Builder and
Suite 370 Private Investor
Southfield, MI 48034
Burton C. Borgelt DeVlieg Bullard, Inc. Director 1/93 - Present
Director 1 Gorham Island
Westport, CT 06880
Mellon Bank Corporation+ Director 6/91 - Present
Mellon Bank, N.A. + Director 6/91 - Present
Dentsply International, Inc. Director 2/81 - Present
570 West College Avenue
York, PA
Quill Corporation Director 3/93 - Present
Lincolnshire, IL
Stephen E. Canter Dreyfus Investment Chairman of the Board 1/97 - Present
President, Chief Operating Advisors, Inc.++ Director 5/95 - Present
Officer, Chief Investment President 5/95 - Present
Officer, and Director
Newton Management Limited Director 2/99 - Present
London, England
Mellon Bond Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Member
Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Member
Franklin Portfolio Associates, LLC* Director 2/99 - Present
Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 2/99 - Present
The Boston Company Asset Director 2/99 - Present
Management, LLC*
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Director 2/99 - Present
Mellon Capital Management Director 1/99 - Present
Corporation***
Stephen E. Canter Founders Asset Management, LLC Member, Board of 12/97 - Present
President, Chief Operating 2930 East Third Ave. Managers
Officer, Chief Investment Denver, CO 80206 Acting Chief Executive 7/98 - 12/98
Officer, and Director Officer
(Continued)
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 6/ 95 - Present
Thomas F. Eggers Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Executive Vice President 4/96 - Present
Vice Chairman - Institutional Director 9/96 - Present
and Director
Founders Asset Management, LLC Member, Board of 2/99 - Present
2930 East Third Avenue Managers
Denver, CO 80206
Steven G. Elliott Mellon Bank Corporation+ Senior Vice Chairman 1/99 - Present
Director Chief Financial Officer 1/90 - Present
Vice Chairman 6/92 - 1/99
Treasurer 1/90 - 5/98
Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Senior Vice Chairman 3/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 6/92 - 3/98
Chief Financial Officer 1/90 - Present
Mellon EFT Services Corporation Director 10/98 - Present
Mellon Bank Center, 8th Floor
1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Mellon Financial Services Director 1/96 - Present
Corporation #1 Vice President 1/96 - Present
Mellon Bank Center, 8th Floor
1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Vice President 5/93 - Present
APT Holdings Corporation Treasurer 12/87 - Present
Pike Creek Operations Center
4500 New Linden Hill Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
Allomon Corporation Director 12/87 - Present
Two Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15259
Collection Services Corporation Controller 10/90 - 2/99
500 Grant Street Director 9/88 - 2/99
Pittsburgh, PA 15258 Vice President 9/88 - 2/99
Treasurer 9/88 - 2/99
Mellon Financial Company+ Principal Exec. Officer 1/88 - Present
Chief Financial Officer 8/87 - Present
Director 8/87 - Present
President 8/87 - Present
Mellon Overseas Investments Director 4/88 - Present
Corporation+ Chairman 7/89 - 11/97
President 4/88 - 11/97
Chief Executive Officer 4/88 - 11/97
Mellon International Investment Director 9/89 - 8/97
Corporation+
Steven G. Elliott Mellon Financial Services Treasurer 12/87 - Present
Director (Continued) Corporation # 5+
Mellon Financial Markets, Inc.+ Director 1/99 - Present
Mellon Financial Services Director 1/99 - Present
Corporation #17
Fort Lee, NJ
Mellon Mortgage Company Director 1/99 - Present
Houston, TX
Mellon Ventures, Inc. + Director 1/99 - Present
Lawrence S. Kash Dreyfus Investment Director 4/97 - Present
Vice Chairman Advisors, Inc.++
And Director
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Chairman 11/97 - Present
401 North Maple Ave. Chief Executive Officer 11/97 - Present
Beverly Hills, CA
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Director 1/95 - 2/99
President 9/96 - 3/99
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc.++ + Director 3/96 - 12/98
President 10/96 - 12/98
Dreyfus Service Director 12/94 - Present
Organization, Inc.++ President 1/97 - Present
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc. ++ Director 1/97 - Present
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Chairman 5/97 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ President 5/97 - Present
Director 5/97 - Present
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Chairman 1/97 - 1/99
President 2/97 - 1/99
Chief Executive Officer 2/97 - 1/99
Director 12/94 - Present
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Chairman 5/97 - Present
Corporation++ President 5/97 - Present
Director 12/94 - Present
Founders Asset Management, LLC Member, Board of 12/97 - Present
2930 East Third Avenue Managers
Denver, CO. 80206
The Boston Company Advisors, Chairman 12/95 - Present
Inc. Chief Executive Officer 12/95 - Present
Wilmington, DE President 12/95 - Present
The Boston Company, Inc.* Director 5/93 - Present
President 5/93 - Present
Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Executive Vice President 6/92 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Chairman 1/98 - 8/98
Executive Committee 1/98 - 8/98
Member
Chief Executive Officer 1/98 - 8/98
President 1/98 - 8/98
Lawrence S. Kash Laurel Capital Advisors, Inc. + Trustee 12/91 - 1/98
Vice Chairman Chairman 9/93 - 1/98
And Director (Continued) President and CEO 12/91 - 1/98
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Director 5/93 - Present
President 5/93 - Present
Martin G. McGuinn Mellon Bank Corporation+ Chairman 1/99 - Present
Director Chief Executive Officer 1/99 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 1/90 - 1/99
Mellon Bank, N. A. + Chairman 3/98 - Present
Chief Executive Officer 3/98 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 1/90 - 3/98
Mellon Leasing Corporation+ Vice Chairman 12/96 - Present
Mellon Bank (DE) National Director 4/89 - 12/98
Association
Wilmington, DE
Mellon Bank (MD) National Director 1/96 - 4/98
Association
Rockville, Maryland
Mellon Financial Vice President 9/86 - 10/97
Corporation (MD)
Rockville, Maryland
J. David Officer Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Executive Vice President 5/98 - Present
Vice Chairman Director 3/99 - Present
And Director
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/98 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.++ Director 10/98 - Present
Mellon Residential Funding Corp. + Director 4/97 - Present
Mellon Trust of Florida, N.A. Director 8/97 - Present
2875 Northeast 191st Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33180
Mellon Bank, NA+ Executive Vice President 7/96 - Present
The Boston Company, Inc.* Vice Chairman 1/97 - Present
Director 7/96 - Present
Mellon Preferred Capital Director 11/96 - Present
Corporation*
RECO, Inc.* President 11/96 - Present
Director 11/96 - Present
The Boston Company Financial President 8/96 - Present
Services, Inc.* Director 8/96 - Present
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Director 7/96 - Present
Company* President 7/96 - 1/99
J. David Officer Mellon Trust of New York Director 6/96 - Present
Vice Chairman and 1301 Avenue of the Americas
Director (Continued) New York, NY 10019
Mellon Trust of California Director 6/96 - Present
400 South Hope Street
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Executive Vice President 2/94 - Present
Mellon United National Bank Director 3/98 - Present
1399 SW 1st Ave., Suite 400
Miami, Florida
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Director 12/97 - Present
Dreyfus Financial Services Corp. + Director 9/96 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Services Director 4/96 - Present
Corporation+
Richard W. Sabo Founders Asset Management LLC President 12/98 - Present
Director 2930 East Third Avenue Chief Executive Officer 12/98 - Present
Denver, CO. 80206
Prudential Securities Senior Vice President 07/91 - 11/98
New York, NY Regional Director 07/91 - 11/98
Richard F. Syron American Stock Exchange Chairman 4/94 - Present
Director 86 Trinity Place Chief Executive Officer 4/94 - Present
New York, NY 10006
Ronald P. O'Hanley Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 3/97 - Present
Vice Chairman
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Chairman 6/98 - Present
Director 10/97 - Present
The Boston Company Asset Chairman 6/98 - Present
Management, LLC* Director 1/98 - 6/98
The Boston Company Asset Director 2/97 - 12/97
Management, Inc. *
Boston Safe Advisors, Inc.* Chairman 6/97 - Present
Director 2/97 - Present
Pareto Partners Partner Representative 5/97 - Present
271 Regent Street
London, England W1R 8PP
Mellon Capital Management Director 5/97 -Present
Corporation***
Certus Asset Advisors Corp.** Director 2/97 - Present
Mellon Bond Associates+ Trustee 2/97 - Present
Chairman 2/97 - Present
Mellon Equity Associates+ Trustee 2/97 - Present
Chairman 2/97 - Present
Mellon-France Corporation+ Director 3/97 - Present
Ronald P. O'Hanley Laurel Capital Advisors+ Trustee 3/97 - Present
Vice Chairman (Continued)
Mark N. Jacobs Dreyfus Investment Director 4/97 - Present
General Counsel, Advisors, Inc.++ Secretary 10/77 - 7/98
Vice President, and
Secretary The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 3/96 - Present
The TruePenny Corporation++ President 10/98 - Present
Director 3/96 - Present
Dreyfus Service Director 3/97 - Present
Organization, Inc.++
William H. Maresca The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 3/97 - Present
Controller
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Chief Financial Officer 12/98 - Present
Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corp. ++ Treasurer 10/98 -Present
Dreyfus Investment Treasurer 10/98 - Present
Advisors, Inc. ++
Dreyfus-Lincoln, Inc. Vice President 10/98 - Present
4500 New Linden Hill Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
The TruePenny Corporation++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc. +++ Treasurer 10/98 - 12/98
The Trotwood Corporation++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Trotwood Hunters Corporation++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Trotwood Hunters Site A Corp. ++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Chief Financial Officer 5/98 - Present
One American Express Plaza,
Providence, RI 02903
Dreyfus Service Assistant Treasurer 3/93 - Present
Organization, Inc.++
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Assistant Treasurer 5/98 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++
William T. Sandalls, Jr. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Chairman 2/97 - Present
Executive Vice President One American Express Plaza,
Providence, RI 02903
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Director 1/96 - Present
Executive Vice President 2/97 - Present
Chief Financial Officer 2/97-12/98
Dreyfus Investment Director 1/96 - Present
Advisors, Inc.++ Treasurer 1/96 - 10/98
William T. Sandalls, Jr. Dreyfus-Lincoln, Inc. Director 12/96 - Present
Executive Vice President 4500 New Linden Hill Road President 1/97 - Present
(Continued) Wilmington, DE 19808
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.++ Director 1/96 - 10/98
Treasurer 10/96 - 10/98
The Dreyfus Consumer Director 1/96 - Present
Credit Corp.++ Vice President 1/96 - Present
Treasurer 1/97 - 10/98
Dreyfus Partnership President 1/97 - 6/97
Management, Inc.++ Director 1/96 - 6/97
Dreyfus Service Organization, Director 1/96 - 6/97
Inc.++ Executive Vice President 1/96 - 6/97
Treasurer 10/96- Present
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/97 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ Treasurer 5/97- Present
Executive Vice President 5/97 - Present
Diane P. Durnin Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Senior Vice President - 5/95 - 3/99
Vice President - Product Marketing and Advertising
Development Division
Patrice M. Kozlowski None
Vice President - Corporate
Communications
Mary Beth Leibig None
Vice President -
Human Resources
Theodore A. Schachar Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Vice President -Tax 10/96 - Present
Vice President - Tax
Dreyfus Investment Advisors, Inc.++ Vice President - Tax 10/96 - Present
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc. +++ Vice President - Tax 10/96 - 12/98
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.++ Vice President - Tax 10/96 - Present
Wendy Strutt None
Vice President
Richard Terres None
Vice President
Andrew S. Wasser Mellon Bank Corporation+ Vice President 1/95 - Present
Vice-President -
Information Systems
James Bitetto The TruePenny Corporation++ Secretary 9/98 - Present
Assistant Secretary
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Assistant Secretary 8/98 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Assistant Secretary 7/98 - Present
Advisors, Inc.++
Dreyfus Service Assistant Secretary 7/98 - Present
Organization, Inc.++
Steven F. Newman Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Vice President 2/97 - Present
Assistant Secretary One American Express Plaza Director 2/97 - Present
Providence, RI 02903 Secretary 2/97 - Present
Dreyfus Service Secretary 7/98 - Present
Organization, Inc.++ Assistant Secretary 5/98 - 7/98
_______________________________
* The address of the business so indicated is One Boston Place, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108.
** The address of the business so indicated is One Bush Street, Suite 450, San Francisco, California 94104.
*** The address of the business so indicated is 595 Market Street, Suite 3000, San Francisco, California 94105.
+ The address of the business so indicated is One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258.
++ The address of the business so indicated is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
+++ The address of the business so indicated is 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144.
++++ The address of the business so indicated is 53 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
</TABLE>
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
________ ______________________
(a) Other investment companies for which Registrant's principal
underwriter (exclusive distributor) acts as principal underwriter or
exclusive distributor:
1) Comstock Partners Funds, Inc.
2) Dreyfus A Bonds Plus, Inc.
3) Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc.
4) Dreyfus Asset Allocation Fund, Inc.
5) Dreyfus Balanced Fund, Inc.
6) Dreyfus BASIC GNMA Fund
7) Dreyfus BASIC Money Market Fund, Inc.
8) Dreyfus BASIC Municipal Fund, Inc.
9) Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund
10) Dreyfus California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
11) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
12) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
13) Dreyfus Cash Management
14) Dreyfus Cash Management Plus, Inc.
15) Dreyfus Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
16) Dreyfus Connecticut Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
17) Dreyfus Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
18) Dreyfus Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
19) The Dreyfus Fund Incorporated
20) Dreyfus Global Bond Fund, Inc.
21) Dreyfus Global Growth Fund
22) Dreyfus GNMA Fund, Inc.
23) Dreyfus Government Cash Management Funds
24) Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
25) Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
26) Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
27) Dreyfus Debt and Equity Funds
28) Dreyfus Index Funds, Inc.
29) Dreyfus Institutional Money Market Fund
30) Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Money Market Fund
31) Dreyfus Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund
32) Dreyfus Insured Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
33) Dreyfus Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
34) Dreyfus International Funds, Inc.
35) Dreyfus Investment Grade Bond Funds, Inc.
36) Dreyfus Investment Portfolios
37) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc.
38) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust
39) The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds
40) Dreyfus LifeTime Portfolios, Inc.
41) Dreyfus Liquid Assets, Inc.
42) Dreyfus Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
43) Dreyfus Massachusetts Municipal Money Market Fund
44) Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund
45) Dreyfus MidCap Index Fund
46) Dreyfus Money Market Instruments, Inc.
47) Dreyfus Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
48) Dreyfus Municipal Cash Management Plus
49) Dreyfus Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
50) Dreyfus New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
51) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
52) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
53) Dreyfus New Leaders Fund, Inc.
54) Dreyfus New York Insured Tax Exempt Bond Fund
55) Dreyfus New York Municipal Cash Management
56) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
57) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Intermediate Bond Fund
58) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
59) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund
60) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
61) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
62) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Short Term Fund
63) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
64) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
65) Dreyfus Premier California Municipal Bond Fund
66) Dreyfus Premier Equity Funds, Inc.
67) Dreyfus Premier International Funds, Inc.
68) Dreyfus Premier GNMA Fund
69) Dreyfus Premier Worldwide Growth Fund, Inc.
70) Dreyfus Premier Municipal Bond Fund
71) Dreyfus Premier New York Municipal Bond Fund
72) Dreyfus Premier State Municipal Bond Fund
73) Dreyfus Premier Value Fund
74) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund
75) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
76) The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
77) Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.
78) Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management
79) The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.
80) Dreyfus Treasury Cash Management
81) Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management
82) Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
83) Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.
84) Founders Funds, Inc.
85) General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
86) General California Municipal Money Market Fund
87) General Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.
88) General Money Market Fund, Inc.
89) General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
90) General Municipal Money Market Funds, Inc.
91) General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
92) General New York Municipal Money Market Fund
(b)
Positions and
Name and principal Positions and offices with offices with
business address the Distributor Registrant
__________________ ___________________________ _____________
Marie E. Connolly+ Director, President, Chief President and
Executive Officer and Compliance Treasurer
Officer
Joseph F. Tower, III+ Senior Vice President, Treasurer Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer and Assistant
Treasurer
Roy M. Moura+ First Vice President None
Dale F. Lampe+ Vice President None
Mary A. Nelson+ Vice President Vice President
and Assistant
Treasurer
Paul Prescott+ Vice President None
Jean M. O'Leary+ Assistant Secretary and None
Assistant Clerk
John W. Gomez+ Director None
William J. Nutt+ Director None
________________________________
+ Principal business address is One Exchange Place, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.
++ Principal business address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10166.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
________________________________
1. First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.,
a subsidiary of First Data Corporation
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671
2. Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
3. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671
4. The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Item 29. Management Services
_______ ___________________
Not Applicable
Item 30. Undertakings
________ ____________
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule
485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Amendment to the
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of New York on
the 23rd day of June, 1999.
DREYFUS GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
BY: /s/Marie E. Connolly*
__________________________________________
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, PRESIDENT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date
____________________________ ________________________________ __________
/s/Marie E. Connolly* President and Treasurer 6/23/99
Marie E. Connolly (Principal Executive, Financial
and Accounting Officer)
/s/Joseph S. DiMartino* Chairman of the Board of 6/23/99
Joseph S. DiMartino, Directors
/s/David P. Feldman* Director 6/23/99
David P. Feldman
/s/John M. Fraser, Jr.* Director 6/23/99
John M. Fraser, Jr.
/s/Robert R. Glauber* Director 6/23/99
Robert R. Glauber
/s/James F. Henry* Director 6/23/99
James F. Henry
/s/Rosalind G. Jacobs* Director 6/23/99
Rosalind G. Jacobs
/s/Irving Kristol* Director 6/23/99
Irving Kristol
/s/Paul A. Marks* Director 6/23/99
Paul A. Marks
/s/
Dr. Martin Peretz* Director 6/23/99
Dr. Martin Peretz
/s/Bert W. Wasserman* Director 6/23/99
Bert W. Wasserman
*BY: /s/Elba Valquez
Elba Vasquqez,
Attorney-in-Fact
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors.......................
OTHER EXHIBITS
(a) Powers of Attorney.....................................
(b) Assistant Secretary's Certificate......................
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Financial
Highlights" and "Counsel and Independent Auditors" and to the use of our
report dated March 31, 1999, which is incorporated by reference, in this
Registration Statement (Form N-1A 2-33733) of Dreyfus Growth Opportunity
Fund, Inc.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
June 24, 1999
INSERT
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitute and appoint Margaret W. Chambers,
Marie E. Connolly, Douglas C. Conroy, Frederick C. Dey, Christopher J.
Kelley, Kathleen K. Morrisey, Stephanie Pierce, Elba Vasquez, and Karen
Jacoppo-Wood, and each of them, with full power to act without the other,
his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him or her, and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in writing) to
sign any and all amendments to the Registration Statement of Dreyfus Growth
Opportunity Fund, Inc. (including post-effective amendments and amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of
them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or
any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Joseph S. DiMartino June 1, 1999
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/ David P. Feldman June 1, 1999
David P. Feldman
/s/ John M. Fraser June 1, 1999
John M. Fraser
/s/ Robert R. Glauber June 1, 1999
Robert R. Glauber
/s/ James F. Henry June 1, 1999
James F. Henry
/s/ Rosalind Gertsen Jacobs June 1, 1999
Rosalind Gerstsen Jacobs
/s/ Irving S, Kristol June 1, 1999
Irving S. Kristol
/s/ Paul A. Marks June 1, 1999
Paul A. Marks
/s/ Martin Peretz June 1, 1999
Martin Peretz
/s/ Bert W. Wasserman June 1, 1999
Bert W. Wasserman
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitute and appoint, Margaret W. Chambers,
Marie E. Connolly, Christopher J. Kelley, Kathleen K. Morrisey, Stephanie
Pierce and Elba Vasquez, and each of them, with full power to act without
the other, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her, and in his or her
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in writing)
to sign any and all amendments to the Registration Statement of Dreyfus
Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc. (including post-effective amendments and
amendments thereto), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of
them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or
any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/Marie E. Connolly June 1, 1999
Marie E. Connolly
ASSISTANT SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE
I, Elba Vasquez, Assistant Secretary of Dreyfus Growth Opportunity
Fund, Inc. (the "Fund," hereby certify the following resolution was adopted
by written consent on June 1, 1999 and remains in full force and effect:
RESOLVED, that the Registration Statement and any and
all amendments and supplements thereto may be signed by
any one of Margaret W. Chambers, Marie E. Connolly,
Douglas C. Conroy, Frederick C. Dey, Christopher J.
Kelley, Kathleen K. Morrisey, Stephanie Pierce, Elba
Vasquez, and Karen Jacoppo-Wood, as the attorney-in-fact
for the proper officers of the Fund, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution; and that the
appointment of each of such persons as such attorney-in-
fact hereby is authorized and approved; and that such
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, shall have full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
connection with such Registration Statement and any and
all amendments and supplements thereto, as fully to all
intents and purposes as the officer, for whom he or she
is acting as attorney-in-fact, might or could do in
person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand as Assistant Secretary
of the Funds and affixed the seal this 25th day of June, 1999.
_________________________________
Elba Vasquez
Vice President and Assistant Secretary
(SEAL)
DREYFUS GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
