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DREYFUS APPRECIATION FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MAY 1, 2000
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This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of
Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), dated May 1, 2000, 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-7
Management Arrangements...................................................B-11
How to Buy Shares.........................................................B-15
Shareholder Services Plan.................................................B-16
How to Redeem Shares......................................................B-17
Shareholder Services......................................................B-19
Determination of Net Asset Value..........................................B-23
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes........................................B-23
Portfolio Transactions....................................................B-25
Performance Information...................................................B-26
Information About the Fund................................................B-27
Counsel and Independent Auditors..........................................B-28
Year 2000 Issues..........................................................B-29
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
The Fund is a Maryland corporation formed on July 30, 1980. The Fund is an
open-end management investment company, known as a mutual fund. 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 nor hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single
issuer.
The Dreyfus Corporation (the "Manager") serves as the Fund's investment
adviser. Fayez Sarofim & Co. ("Sarofim") serves as the Fund's sub-investment
adviser. Sarofim provides day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio, subject
to the supervision of the Manager. The Manager and Sarofim are referred to
collectively as the "Advisers."
Dreyfus Service Corporation (the "Distributor") is the distributor of the
Fund's shares.
Certain Portfolio Securities
In addition to purchasing the common stock of domestic and foreign
companies, the Fund may purchase the portfolio securities described below.
Warrants. A warrant is an instrument issued by a corporation which gives
the holder the right to subscribe to a specified amount of the corporation's
capital stock at a set price for a specified period of time. The Fund may invest
up to 2% of its net assets in warrants, except that this limitation does not
apply to warrants purchased by the Fund that are sold in units with, or attached
to, other securities.
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 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.
Money Market Instruments. When the Advisers determine 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.
Investment Techniques
In addition to the principal investment strategies discussed in the Fund's
prospectus, the Fund also may engage in the investment techniques described
below.
Derivatives. The Fund may invest in, or enter into, derivatives, such as
options.
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.
The Fund may write (i.e., sell) covered call 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 at the exercise price at
any time during the option period, or at a specific date. A covered call option
sold by the Fund, which is a call option with respect to which the Fund owns the
underlying security, exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible
loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the
underlying security or to possible continued holding of a security which might
otherwise have been sold to protect against depreciation in the market price of
the security.
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.
Successful use by the Fund of options will be subject to Sarofim's ability
to predict correctly movements in the prices of individual stocks or the stock
market generally. To the extent Sarofim's predictions are incorrect, the Fund
may incur losses.
Foreign Currency Transactions. Foreign currency transactions may be entered
into 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;
or 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.
Foreign currency transactions may involve, for example, the Fund's purchase
of short positions in foreign currencies. A short position 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. The
Fund's success in these transactions will depend principally on Sarofim'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.
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. The Fund continues to be entitled
to payments in amounts equal to the 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 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, a 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.
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 such borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund's total
assets, the Fund will not make any additional investments.
Simultaneous Investments. Investment decisions for the Fund are made
independently from those of other investment companies or accounts advised by
the Manager or Sarofim. If, however, such other investment companies or accounts
desire to invest in, or dispose of, the same securities as the Fund, available
investments or opportunities for sale will be allocated equitably to each of
them. 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 10 as fundamental policies.
Investment restrictions numbered 11 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. Invest more than 5% of its assets in the obligations of any single
issuer, except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may be
invested, and securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, or its
agencies or instrumentalities may be purchased, without regard to any such
limitation.
2. Hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single
issuer. This Investment Restriction applies only with respect to 75% of the
Fund's total assets.
3. 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, provided that, when the Fund has adopted a defensive posture,
there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, time deposits and
certificates of deposit (including those issued by foreign branches of domestic
banks), and bankers' acceptances.
4. 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.
5. Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or other mineral
leases or exploration or development programs, but the Fund may purchase and
sell securities that are secured by real estate or issued by companies that
invest or deal in real estate.
6. 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). For purposes of this investment restriction, the entry into
options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute
borrowing.
7. Make loans to others, except through the purchase of debt obligations
and the entry into repurchase agreements. 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.
8. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the
extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.
9. Issue any senior security (as such term is defined in Section 18(f) of
the 1940 Act), except to the extent the activities permitted in Investment
Restriction Nos. 5, 6 and 13 may be deemed to give rise to a senior security.
10. Purchase securities on margin, but the Fund may make margin deposits in
connection with transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts,
including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or
indices.
11. Purchase securities of any company having less than three years'
continuous operations (including operations of any predecessor) 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.
12. 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.
13. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the extent
necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the
deposit of assets in escrow in connection with writing covered put and call
options and the purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment
basis and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with respect
to options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices.
14. Purchase, sell or write puts, calls or combinations thereof, except as
described in the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
15. 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.
16. Invest in securities of other investment companies, except to the
extent permitted under the 1940 Act.
17. Purchase or retain the securities of any issuer if the officers or
Board members of the Fund or the Advisers who own beneficially more than 1/2 of
1% of the securities of such issuer together own beneficially more than 5% of
the securities of such issuers.
As a fundamental policy, the Fund may invest, notwithstanding any other
investment restriction (whether or not fundamental), all of the Fund's assets in
the securities of a single open-end management investment company with
substantially the same investment objectives, fundamental policies and
restrictions as the Fund.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will not
constitute a violation of such restriction.
The Fund may make commitments more restrictive than the restrictions listed
above so as to permit the sale of Fund shares in certain states. Should the Fund
determine that a commitment is no longer in the best interests of the Fund and
its shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to revoke the commitment by
terminating the sale of Fund shares in the state involved.
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
Fayez Sarofim & Co. ........................Sub-Investment Adviser
Dreyfus Service Corporation.................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 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, Century Business Services, Inc. (formerly, International
Alliance Services, Inc.), a provider of various outsourcing functions for
small and medium sized companies, and QuikCAT.com, Inc., a private company
engaged in the development of high speed movement, routing, storage and
encryption of data across cable, wireless and all other modes of data
transport. 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 the Distributor.
From August 1994 until December 31, 1994, he was a director of Mellon
Financial Corporation. He is 56 years old and his address is 200 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
CLIFFORD L. ALEXANDER, JR., Board Member. Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and President of
Alexander & Associates, Inc., a management consulting firm. From 1977 to
1981, Mr. Alexander served as Secretary of the Army and Chairman of the
Board of the Panama Canal Company, and from 1975 to 1977, he was a member
of the Washington, D.C. law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson
and Alexander. He is a director of American Home Products Corporation, IMS
Health, a service provider of marketing information and information
technology, MCI WorldCom and Mutual of America Life Insurance Company. He
is 66 years old and his address is 400 C Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
20002.
PEGGY C. DAVIS, Board Member. Shad Professor of Law, New York University School
of Law. Professor Davis has been a member of the New York University law
faculty since 1983. Prior to that time, she served for three years as a
judge in the courts of New York State; was engaged for eight years in the
practice of law, working in both corporate and non-profit sectors; and
served for two years as a criminal justice administrator in the government
of the City of New York. She writes and teaches in the fields of evidence,
constitutional theory, family law, social sciences and the law, legal
process and professional methodology and training. She is 57 years old and
her address is c/o New York University School of Law, 40 Washington Square
South, New York, New York 10012.
ERNEST KAFKA, Board Member. A physician engaged in private practice specializing
in the psychoanalysis of adults and adolescents. Since 1981, he has served
as an Instructor at the New York Psychoanalytic Institute and, prior
thereto, held other teaching positions. He is Associate Clinical Professor
of Psychiatry at Cornell Medical School. For more than the past five years,
Dr. Kafka has held numerous administrative positions and has published many
articles on subjects in the field of psychoanalysis. He is 67 years old and
his address is 23 East 92nd Street, New York, New York 10128.
NATHAN LEVENTHAL, Board Member. President of Lincoln Center for the Performing
Arts, Inc. Mr. Leventhal was Deputy Mayor for Operations of New York City
from September 1979 until March 1984 and Commissioner of the Department of
Housing Preservation and Development of New York City from February 1978 to
September 1979. Mr. Leventhal was an associate and then a member of the New
York law firm of Poletti Freidin Prashker Feldman and Gartner from 1974 to
1978. He was Commissioner of Rent and Housing Maintenance for New York City
from 1972 to 1973. Mr. Leventhal served as Chairman of Citizens Union, an
organization which strives to reform and modernize city and state
government from June 1994 until June 1997. He is 57 years old and his
address is 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, New York 10023-6583.
The Fund has a standing nominating committee comprised of its Board members
who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. The
function of the nominating committee is to select and nominate all candidates
who are not "interested persons" of the Fund for election to the Fund's Board.
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 per meeting fee of one-half the
amount paid to them as Board members. The aggregate amount of compensation paid
to each Board member by the Fund and by all 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, 1999, is set forth below:
Total Compensation
Aggregate From Fund and
Name of Board Compensation from Fund Complex Paid
Member Fund** To Board Member
Clifford L. Alexander, Jr. $5,000 $ 85,378 (43)
Peggy C. Davis $5,000 $ 68,378 (29)
Joseph S. DiMartino $6,250 $642,178 (189)
Ernest Kafka $5,000 $ 68,378 (29)
Saul B. Klaman*** $5,000 $ 68,378 (29)
Nathan Leventhal $5,000 $ 68,378 (29)
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* Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment
companies in the Fund Complex, including the Fund, for which the Board
members serves.
** Amount does not include reimbursed expenses for attending Board meetings,
which amounted to $9,532 for all Board members as a group.
*** Emeritus Board member as of January 18, 2000.
Officers of the Fund
STEPHEN E. CANTER, President. President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Investment Officer and a director of the Manager, and an officer of other
investment companies advised and administered by the Manager. Mr. Canter
also is a Director and an Executive Committee Member of the other
investment management subsidiaries of Mellon Financial Corporation, each
of which is an affiliate of the Manager. He is 54 years old.
MARK N. JACOBS, Vice President. Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of
the Manager, and an officer of other investment companies advised and
administered by the Manager. He is 53 years old.
JOSEPH CONNOLLY, Vice President and Treasurer. Director - Mutual Fund Accounting
of the Manager, and an officer of other investment companies advised and
administered by the Manager. He is 42 years old.
STEVEN F. NEWMAN, Secretary. Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
of the Manager, and an officer of other investment companies advised and
administered by the Manager. He is 50 years old.
MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG, Assistant Secretary. Associate General Counsel of the
Manager, and an officer of other investment companies advised and
administered by the Manager. He is 40 years old.
JANETTE FARRAGHER, Assistant Secretary. Assistant General Counsel of the
Manager, and an officer of other investment companies advised and
administered by the Manager. She is 37 years old.
JAMES WINDELS, Assistant Treasurer. Senior Treasury Manager of the Manager, and
an officer of other investment companies advised and administered by the
Manager. He is 41 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 outstanding shares on April 5, 2000.
The following shareholders owned of record 5% or more of the Fund's shares
outstanding as of April 5, 2000: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Reinvest Account,
101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA. 94104-4122 - 16.8877%; and Boston Safe
Deposit and Trust Co. TTEE, as Agent - Omnibus Account, 1 Cabot Road, Medford,
MA 02155-5141 - 7.9837%.
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Investment Advisory Agreement. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Mellon Bank, N.A., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Financial
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 Investment
Advisory Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") between the Manager and the Fund.
The Advisory Agreement 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 the 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. The Advisory
Agreement is terminable without penalty, on not more than 60 days' notice, by
the Fund's Board or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding voting shares, or, upon not less than 90 days' notice, by the
Manager. The Advisory 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 and a director;
Lawrence S. Kash, Vice Chairman; J. David Officer, Vice Chairman and a director;
Ronald P. O'Hanley III, Vice Chairman; William T. Sandalls, Jr., Executive Vice
President; Stephen R. Byers, Senior 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; Ray Van Cott,
Vice President--Information Systems; Theodore A. Schachar, Vice President--Tax;
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. Elliot,
Martin C. McGuinn, Richard W. Sabo and Richard F. Syron, directors.
Mellon Bank, N.A., the Manager's parent, and its affiliates may have
deposit, loan and commercial banking or other relationships with the issuers of
securities purchased by the Fund. The Manager has informed the Fund that in
making its investment decisions it does not obtain or use material inside
information that Mellon Bank, N.A. or its affiliates may possess with respect to
such issuers.
The Manager's Code of Ethics (the "Code") subjects its employees' personal
securities transactions to various restrictions to ensure that such trading does
not disadvantage any fund advised by the Manager. In that regard, portfolio
managers and other investment personnel of the Manager must preclear and report
their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for
compliance with the Code, and are also subject to the oversight of Mellon's
Investment Ethics Committee. Portfolio managers and other investment personnel
of the Manager who comply with the Code'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.
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 also may make such advertising and promotional
expenditures, using its own resources, as it from time to time deems
appropriate.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay the Manager a
monthly fee at the annual rate set forth below:
Annual Fee as a Percentage of
Total Assets Average Daily Net Assets
- ------------ ------------------------
0 to $25 million...................... .44 of 1%
$25 million to $75 million............ .37 of 1%
$75 million to $200 million........... .33 of 1%
$200 million to $300 million.......... .29 of 1%
$300 million or more.................. .275 of 1%
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, the Fund paid the Manager a
monthly advisory fee at the effective annual rate of 0.28% of the value of the
Fund's average daily net assets. The advisory fees paid by the Fund to the
Manager for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 amounted to
$4,475,808, $8,258,087 and $13,290,398, respectively.
Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement. Sarofim provides investment advisory
assistance and day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio pursuant to the
Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement") between Sarofim
and the Fund. The Sub-Advisory Agreement 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
Fund's outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the
continuance also is approved by a majority of the Fund's Board members who are
not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund of Sarofim, by
vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty, on 60 days'
notice by the Fund's Board or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
shares, or, on not less than 90 days' notice, by Sarofim. The Sub-Advisory
Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as
defined in the 1940 Act).
Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay Sarofim a
monthly fee at the annual rate set forth below:
Annual Fee as a Percentage of
Total Assets Average Daily Net Assets
- ------------ ------------------------
0 to $25 million...................... .11 of 1%
$25 million to $75 million............ .18 of 1%
$75 million to $200 million........... .22 of 1%
$200 million to $300 million.......... .26 to 1%
$300 million or more.................. .275 of 1%
For the year ended December 31, 1999, the Fund paid Sarofim a monthly
sub-advisory fee at the effective annual rate of 0.27% of the Fund's average
daily net assets. The sub-advisory fees paid by the Fund to Sarofim for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 amounted to $4,130,808,
$7,913,087 and $12,945,398, respectively.
The following persons are officers and/or directors of Sarofim: Fayez S.
Sarofim, Chairman of the Board, President and a director; Raye G. White,
Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and a director; Russell M.
Frankel, Russell B. Hawkins, William K. McGee, Jr., Charles E. Sheedy and Ralph
B. Thomas, Senior Vice Presidents; and Steve Gupta, Mary L. Porter, James A.
Reynolds, III, and Christopher B. Sarofim, Vice Presidents.
Sarofim provides day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio of
investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the
supervision of the Manager and the approval of the Fund's Board. The Manager and
Sarofim provide the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Board
to execute purchases and sales of securities. The Fund's portfolio managers are
Russell B. Hawkins, Elaine Rees and Fayez S. Sarofim. 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 other funds
advised by the Manager.
Expenses. All expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund are borne by
the Fund, except to the extent specifically assumed by Advisers. The expenses
borne by the Fund include: taxes, interest, loan commitment fees and
distributions paid on securities sold short, 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 or Sarofim or
their affiliates, Securities and Exchange Commission fees, state Blue Sky
qualification fees, advisory fees, charges of custodians, transfer and dividend
disbursing agents' fees, certain insurance premiums, industry association fees,
outside auditing and legal expenses, costs of independent pricing services,
costs of maintaining corporate existence, 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 and statements of additional information for regulatory
purposes and for distribution to existing shareholders, and any extraordinary
expenses.
The Manager has agreed that if in any fiscal year the aggregate expenses of
the Fund, exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage fees and (with the prior
written consent of the necessary state securities commissions) extraordinary
expenses, but including the advisory fee, exceed the expense limitation of any
state having jurisdiction over the Fund, the Fund may deduct from the payment to
be made to the Manager under the Advisory Agreement, or the Manager will bear,
such excess expense to the extent required by state law. Such deduction or
payment, if any, will be estimated daily, and reconciled and effected or paid,
as the case may be, on a monthly basis.
The Distributor. The Distributor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager
located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as the Fund's
distributor on a best efforts basis pursuant to an agreement with the Fund 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 of Funds or
certain other products made available by the Distributor to such plans 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, acts as custodian of the Fund's
investments. 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 domestic assets held in custody and receives certain securities
transactions charges.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
General. Fund shares may be purchased through the Distributor or certain
financial institutions (which may include banks), securities dealers and other
industry professionals, such as investment advisers, accountants and estate
planning firms (collectively, "Service Agents") that have entered into service
agreements with the Distributor. Stock certificates are issued only upon your
written request. No certificates are issued for fractional shares.
The minimum initial investment is $2,500, or $1,000 if you are a client of
a Service Agent, 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, IRAs set up under a Simplified
Employee Pension Plan ("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
employee 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
Builder(R), 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 an investor 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 authorized entity. 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 computing net asset value per share, options 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 market value as
determined in good faith by the Fund's Board. For further information regarding
the methods employed in valuing the Fund's investments, see "Determination of
Net Asset Value."
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 that 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 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."
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 pursuant to which the Fund
pays the Distributor for the provision of certain services to shareholders of
the Fund a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the value of the Fund's average
daily net assets. 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. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the
Distributor may make payments to certain Service Agents in respect of these
services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents.
If a Fund shareholder ceases to be a client of a Service Agent, but continues to
hold Fund shares, the Manager or its affiliates will be permitted to act as a
Service Agent in respect of such Fund shareholder and receive payments under the
Plan.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Shareholder Services
Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made
to the Fund's Board for its review. In addition, the Shareholder Services Plan
provides that material amendments of the Plan must be approved by the Fund's
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 Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements entered into
in connection with the Shareholder Services Plan, by vote cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. The Shareholder
Services 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
Shareholder Services 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 Shareholder Services Plan or in any
agreements entered into in connection with the Shareholder Services Plan.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, the Fund paid $11,925,362
under the Shareholder Services 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 by the Transfer Agent of a 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 you. 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 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 $500,000 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.
Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in the your account at an ACH member bank
ordinarily two business days after receipt of the redemption request. See "How
to Buy Shares--Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Stock Certificates; Signatures. Any 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. In the case of
requests for redemption in excess of such amount, the 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 sold 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
Touch(R) 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 the investor. 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 IRA and other retirement plans are eligible for
this Privilege. Exchanges of IRA shares may be made between IRA accounts 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.
Fund Exchanges and the Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege are available to
shareholders resident in any state in which shares of the fund being acquired
may legally be sold. Shares may be exchanged only between accounts having
identical names and other identifying designations.
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. The Fund Exchanges service or the Dreyfus
Auto-Exchange Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time upon notice to
shareholders.
Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder(R). Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder permits
you to purchases 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 Automated Clearing House 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. Dreyfus Step Program enables you to purchase Fund
shares without regard to the Fund's minimum initial investment requirements
through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder(R), 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.
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 Automated Clearing House 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 depleted. Automatic Withdrawal
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 IRA "Rollover
Accounts"), 401(k) Salary Reduction Plans and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support
services also are available.
Investors who wish to purchase Fund shares in conjunction with a Keogh
Plan, a 403(b)(7) Plan or an IRA, including a SEP-IRA, 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.
The minimum initial investment for corporate plans, Salary Reduction Plans,
403(b)(7) Plans and SEP-IRAs with more than one participant, is $2,500 with no
minimum for subsequent purchases. The minimum initial investment is $750 for
Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a
non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, 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.
Each investor 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 by the Fund, are valued at the last sale price on the
securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities
primarily are traded. Securities not listed on an exchange or national
securities market, or securities in which there were no transactions, are valued
at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices. Bid price is used when
no asked price is available. Market quotations for 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
Fund's Board. Expenses and fees, including the advisory and sub-advisory fees
and fees pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan, 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
December 31, 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. If the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company, it
would be treated for tax purposes as an ordinary corporation subject to Federal
income tax.
Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after an investor's purchase may
have the effect of reducing the net asset value of his shares below the cost of
his investment. Such a dividend or distribution would be a return on investment
in an economic sense although taxable as stated in the Prospectus. In addition,
the Code provides that if a shareholder has not held his Fund shares for more
than six months or less 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 long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain distribution
received.
In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by the Fund
to U.S. corporate shareholders may be eligible for the dividends received
deduction to the extent that the Fund's income consists of dividends paid by
U.S. corporations on shares that have been held by the Fund for at least 46 days
during the 90-day period commencing 45 days before the shares become
ex-dividend. In order to claim the dividends received deduction, the investor in
the Fund must have held its shares in the Fund for at least 46 days during the
90-day period commencing 45 days before the Fund shares become ex-dividend.
Additional restrictions on an investor's ability to claim the dividends received
deduction may apply.
Ordinarily, gains and losses realized from portfolio transactions will be
treated as capital gains or losses. However, a portion of any gain or loss
realized from the disposition of certain non-U.S. dollar denominated securities
(including debt instruments, certain forward contracts and option transactions
and certain preferred stock) may be treated as ordinary income or loss. In
addition, all or a portion of any gain realized from the sale or other
disposition of certain market discount bonds will be treated as ordinary income.
Finally, all or a portion of any gain realized from engaging in "conversion
transactions" (generally including certain transactions designed to convert
ordinary income into capital gain) may be treated as ordinary income.
Gain or loss, if any, realized by the Fund 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 characterized as described
above.
Offsetting positions held by the Fund involving certain foreign currency
forward contracts and options may constitute "straddles." "Straddles" are
defined to include "offsetting positions" in actively traded personal property.
To the extent straddle rules apply to positions established by the Fund, losses
realized by the Fund may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in the
offsetting position. In addition, short-term capital loss on straddle positions
may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gains on
straddle positions may be treated as short-term capital gains or ordinary
income. Certain of the straddle positions held by the Fund may constitute "mixed
straddles". The Fund may make one or more elections with respect to the
treatment of "mixed straddles", resulting in different tax consequences. In
certain circumstances, the provisions governing the tax treatment of straddles
override or modify certain of the provisions discussed above.
If the Fund either (1) holds an appreciated financial position with respect
to stock, certain debt obligations, or partnership interests ("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, 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.
Investment by the Fund in securities issued at a discount or providing for
deferred interest or for payment of interest in the form of additional
obligations could, under special tax rules, affect the amount, timing and
character of distributions to shareholders. For example, the Fund could be
required to take into account annually a portion of the discount (or deemed
discount) at which such securities were issued and to distribute such portion in
order to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company. In such
case, the Fund may have to dispose of securities which it might otherwise have
continued to hold in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution
requirements.
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 Manager's best
judgment 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 Advisers' 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 Advisers and the
Advisers' fees are 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 to Sarofim in serving
both the Fund and the other funds or accounts it advises, and, conversely,
supplemental information obtained by the placement of business of other clients
may be useful to the Advisers in carrying out their obligations to the Fund.
Sales of Fund shares by a broker may be taken into consideration, and
brokers also will be selected because of 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 advised or administered by the Manager
being engaged simultaneously in the purchase or sale of the same security.
Certain of the Fund's transactions in securities of foreign issuers may not
benefit from the negotiated commission rates available to the Fund for
transactions in securities of domestic issuers. 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.
Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within a year. The
Fund's portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997,
1998 and 1999 were 1.23%, 1.40% and 11.77%, respectively. In periods in which
extraordinary market conditions prevail, the Advisers will not be deterred from
changing investment strategy as rapidly as needed, in which case higher turnover
rates can be anticipated which would result in greater brokerage expenses. The
overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by the Manager
based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of
commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services.
In connection with its portfolio securities transactions for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, the Fund paid brokerage
commissions of $699,631, $1,133,973 and $1,080,604, respectively, none of which
was paid to Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. ("Premier"), who acted as the
Fund's Distributor from August 23, 1994 through March 21, 2000. The above
figures for brokerage commissions paid do not include gross spreads and
concessions on principal transactions, which, where determinable, amounted to
$100,535, $114,614 and $-0- in fiscal 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively, none of
which was paid to Premier.
The aggregate amount of transactions during the last fiscal year in
securities effected on an agency basis through a broker for, among other things,
research services, and the commissions and concessions related to such
transactions were as follows:
Transaction Commissions and
Amount Concessions
$244,067,519 $222,412
The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the
most favorable net price, brokerage transactions may be conducted through the
Manager or its affiliates, including Dreyfus Investment Services Corporation
("DISC") and Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. ("DBS"). The Fund's Board has
adopted procedures in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure
that all brokerage commissions paid to the Manager or its affiliates are
reasonable and fair.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, $73,000 was paid to Dreyfus
Brokerage Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Financial Corporation.
This amount represented approximately 7% of the aggregate brokerage commissions
paid by the Fund for transactions involving approximately 11% of the aggregate
dollar value of transactions for which the Fund paid brokerage commissions.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Fund's average annual total return for the 1, 5 and 10 year periods
ended December 31, 1999 was 9.97%, 26.10% and 16.81%, 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 investments, 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 January 18, 1984 to December 31,
1999 was 1,199.02%. Total return is calculated 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.
From time to time, advertising materials for the Fund may refer to the fact
that the Fund currently looks for successful companies with established brands
that are expanding into the world marketplace. From time to time, advertising
materials for the Fund also may refer to the clients of Sarofim, such as large
corporations, states, universities and other institutions and organizations.
From time to time, advertising materials for the Fund also may refer to
Morningstar ratings and related analyses supporting such ratings.
From time to time, advertising materials may refer to studies performed by
the Manager or its affiliates, such as "The Dreyfus Tax Informed Investing
Study" or "The Dreyfus Gender Investment Comparison Study (1996 & 1997)" or
other such studies.
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 non-assessable. 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.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
The Fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by the
Manager and the Fund's other service providers do not properly process and
calculate date-related information from and after January 1, 2000.
The Manager has taken steps designed to avoid year 2000-related problems in
its systems and to monitor the readiness of other service providers. 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.
