File No. 33-7172
811-4748
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. 30 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 30 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
Dreyfus Debt and Equity Funds
(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)
X immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
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If appropriate, check the following box:
this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
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Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund
Investing in domestic and foreign fixed-income securities for high current
income and capital appreciation
PROSPECTUS December 29, 2000
(reg.tm)
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
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Goal/Approach 1
Main Risks 2
Past Performance 3
Expenses 4
Management 5
Financial Highlights 6
Your Investment
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Account Policies 7
Distributions and Taxes 10
Services for Fund Investors 11
Instructions for Regular Accounts 12
Instructions for IRAs 13
For More Information
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BACK COVER
<PAGE>
Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund
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Ticker Symbols CLASS A: N/A
CLASS B: N/A
CLASS C: N/A
CLASS R: N/A
The Fund
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund's primary objective is high current income. Capital appreciation is a
secondary objective. Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest mainly
in the following four sectors of the fixed-income market:
* U.S. government securities (including U.S. Treasuries and U.S.
Government agency securities, and mortgage pass-through securities such as
Ginnie Maes, Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs);
* privately issued mortgage-related securities (including collateralized
mortgage obligations ("CMOs") and commercial mortgage-backed securities) and
debt issued by real estate investment trusts;
* domestic high yield bonds ("junk bonds"); and
* debt securities of foreign issuers in developing and emerging markets
(including Brady Bonds and loan participation interests)
The fund expects typically to invest in each of these four market sectors, with
not more than 50% of its assets in any one sector at the time of investment.
However, the fund is not required to invest in each sector and may invest all of
its assets in one sector at any time if deemed appropriate by the portfolio
managers.
In choosing market sectors and securities for investment, the portfolio managers
review an issuer's financial strength, and the current state and long-term
outlook of the industry or sector. Investments may focus more in one sector over
another based on the portfolio managers' risk/reward analysis and their ability
to identify value in a sector or security. Current and forecasted interest rate
and liquidity conditions also are important factors in this regard. While the
fund seeks high current income, the portfolio managers also will consider the
fund's overall total return potential in selecting securities for investment.
The fund also may invest in investment grade corporate bonds, convertible
securities, preferred stocks, asset-backed securities, and warrants and common
stock acquired in "units" with bonds.
The fund expects that its portfolio will have an average effective duration
ranging between 3 and 10 years, but the fund may invest without regard to
maturity or duration limitations.
Concepts to understand
HIGH YIELD BONDS: those rated at the time of purchase BB or Ba and below by
credit rating agencies such as S&P or Moody's or the unrated equivalent as
determined by Dreyfus. Because their issuers may be at an early stage of
development or have been unable to repay past debts, these bonds typically must
offer higher yields than investment grade bonds to compensate investors for
greater credit risk.
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES: pools of residential mortgages with cash flows
"passed through" to the holders of the securities via monthly payments of
interest and principal.
CMO (COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATION): a security that pools together
mortgages and separates them into short-, medium-, and long-term positions
(called tranches). Tranches pay different rates of interest depending on their
maturity and cash flow predictability.
EMERGING MARKETS: generally consist of all countries represented by the Morgan
Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets (Free) Index.
DURATION: a measure of an investment's "interest rate risk," or how sensitive
an investment or the fund's portfolio may be to changes in interest rates.
Generally, the longer a fund's duration, the more it is likely to react to
interest rate fluctuations and the greater its long-term risk/return potential.
The Fund 1
<PAGE 1>
MAIN RISKS
The fund's principal risks are discussed below. The value of your investment in
the fund will go up and down, which means that you could lose money.
* INTEREST RATE RISK. Prices of bonds tend to
move inversely with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in rates
will adversely affect bond prices and, accordingly, the fund's share price.
The longer the fund's effective duration, the more its share price is likely
to react to interest rates.
* CREDIT RISK. Failure of an issuer to make
timely interest or principal payments, or a decline or perception of a
decline in the credit quality of a bond, can cause a bond's price to fall,
potentially lowering the fund's share price. High yield bonds involve greater
credit risk than investment grade bonds. The greater risks include the risk
of default and, therefore, such bonds are considered speculative. The prices
of high yield bonds can fall dramatically in response to bad news about the
issuer or its industry, or the economy in general.
* MARKET RISK. The fund's overall risk level will
depend on the market sectors in which the fund is invested and the current
interest rate and liquidity conditions, and credit quality, of such sectors.
* ILLIQUIDITY. When there is no active trading
market for specific securities, it can become more difficult to sell the
securities at or near their fair value. In such a market, the value of such
securities and the fund's share price may fall dramatically.
* PREPAYMENT AND EXTENSION RISK. When interest
rates fall, the principal on mortgage-backed and certain asset-backed
securities may be prepaid. The loss of higher-yielding, underlying mortgages
and the reinvestment of proceeds at lower interest rates can reduce the
fund's potential price gain in response to falling interest rates, reduce the
fund's yield, or cause the fund's share price to fall. When interest rates
rise, the fund's effective maturity may lengthen in response to a drop in
mortgage prepayments. This would increase the fund's sensitivity to rising
rates and its potential for price declines.
* FOREIGN RISK. The prices and yields of foreign
bonds may be affected by political and economic instability or changes in
currency exchange rates. The bonds of issuers located in emerging markets can
be more volatile and less liquid than those of issuers in more mature
economies.
The fund's overall risk level will depend on the market sectors in which the
fund is invested and the current interest rate, liquidity, and credit quality
conditions in such market sectors at any point in time.
The fund is non-diversified, which means that a relatively high percentage of
its assets may be invested in a limited number of issuers. Therefore, its
performance may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single
issuer or a group of issuers.
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. During such periods,
the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Other potential risks
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities can be a form of derivative. At times, the
fund also may invest in other derivatives, such as options and futures
contracts. Derivatives can be highly volatile and sensitive to changes in their
underlying instrument. Some derivatives such as stripped mortgage-backed
securities, may move in the same direction as interest rates. A small investment
in certain derivatives can have a potentially large impact on the fund's
performance. The fund also may invest in foreign currencies, exposing the fund
to the risk that the U.S. dollar may appreciate against foreign currencies or a
foreign government may impose currency conversion or trading restrictions.
At times, the fund may engage in short-term trading, which could produce higher
transaction costs and taxable distributions, and lower the fund's after-tax
performance.
The fund may buy securities on a forward-commitment basis and may enter into
reverse repurchase agreements. Those investment strategies may have a leveraging
effect on the fund, thus potentially increasing its overall volatility.
2
<PAGE 2>
PAST PERFORMANCE
As a new fund, past performance information is not available for the fund as of
the date of this prospectus.
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 insured or
guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is not a complete
investment program. You could lose money in this fund, but you also have the
potential to make money.
The Fund 3
<PAGE 3>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below.
Fee table
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
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SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES (FEES PAID FROM YOUR ACCOUNT)
Maximum front-end sales charge on purchases
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
AS A % OF OFFERING PRICE 4.50 NONE NONE NONE
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC)
AS A % OF PURCHASE OR SALE PRICE, WHICHEVER IS LESS NONE* 4.00 1.00 NONE
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ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES PAID FROM FUND ASSETS)
AS A % OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees .65 .65 .65 .65
Rule 12b-1 fee NONE .50 .75 NONE
Shareholder services fee .25 .25 .25 NONE
Other expenses** .25 .25 .25 .25
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TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 1.15 1.65 1.90 .90
* SHARES BOUGHT WITHOUT AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE AS PART OF AN
INVESTMENT OF $1 MILLION OR MORE MAY BE CHARGED A CDSC OF 1.00% IF
REDEEMED WITHIN ONE YEAR.
** "OTHER EXPENSES" ARE BASED ON ESTIMATED AMOUNTS FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THE AMOUNTS INDICATED ABOVE.
</TABLE>
Expense example
1 Year 3 Years
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CLASS A $562 $799
CLASS B
WITH REDEMPTION $568 $820
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $168 $520
CLASS C
WITH REDEMPTION $293 $597
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $193 $597
CLASS R $92 $287
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. Because actual
return and expenses will be different, the example is for comparison only.
Concepts to understand
MANAGEMENT FEE: the fee paid to Dreyfus for managing the fund's portfolio and
assisting in all aspects of its operation.
RULE 12B-1 FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor to finance the sale and
distribution of Class B and Class C shares. Because this fee is paid out of the
fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time it will increase the cost of your
investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor for providing
shareholder services.
OTHER EXPENSES: estimated fees to be paid by the fund for miscellaneous items
such as transfer agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
4
<PAGE 4>
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 $154
billion in over 190 mutual fund portfolios. The fund has agreed to pay Dreyfus a
management fee at the annual rate of 0.65% of the fund's average daily net
assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon Financial
Corporation, a global financial services company with approximately $2.8
trillion of assets under management, administration or custody, including
approximately $521 billion under management. Mellon provides wealth management,
global investment services and a comprehensive array of banking services for
individuals, businesses and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
The Dreyfus asset management philosophy is based on the belief that discipline
and consistency are important to investment success. For each fund, Dreyfus
seeks to establish clear guidelines for portfolio management and to be
systematic in making decisions. This approach is designed to provide each fund
with a distinct, stable identity.
The Dreyfus Taxable Fixed Income Team, which consists of sector specialists,
collectively makes investment decisions for the fund. The team's specialists
focus on, and monitor conditions in, the different sectors of the fixed income
market. Once different factors have been analyzed, the sector specialists then
decide on allocation weights for the portfolio and recommend securities for
investment.
The fund, Dreyfus and Dreyfus Service Corporation (the fund's distributor) each
has adopted a code of ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such code,
to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by
the fund. The Dreyfus code of ethics restricts the personal securities
transactions of its employees, and requires portfolio managers and other
investment personnel to comply with the code's preclearance and disclosure
procedures. Its primary purpose is to ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus
employees does not disadvantage any Dreyfus-managed fund.
The Fund 5
<PAGE 5>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
As a new fund, financial highlights information is not available for the fund as
of the date of this prospectus.
6
<PAGE 6>
Your Investment
ACCOUNT POLICIES
THE DREYFUS PREMIER FUNDS are designed primarily for people who are investing
through a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or financial adviser, or in
a 401(k) or other retirement plan. Third parties with whom you open a fund
account may impose policies, limitations and fees which are different from
those described here.
YOU WILL NEED TO CHOOSE A SHARE CLASS before making your initial investment. In
making your choice, you should weigh the impact of all potential costs over the
length of your investment, including sales charges and annual fees. For example,
in some cases, it can be more economical to pay an initial sales charge than to
choose a class with no initial sales charge but higher annual fees and a
contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
* CLASS A shares may be appropriate for investors who prefer to pay the
fund's sales charge up front rather than upon the sale of their shares, want to
take advantage of the reduced sales charges available on larger investments
and/or have a longer-term investment horizon
* CLASS B shares may be appropriate for investors who wish to avoid a
front-end sales charge, put 100% of their investment dollars to work immediately
and/or have a longer-term investment horizon
* CLASS C shares may be appropriate for investors who wish to avoid a
front-end sales charge, put 100% of their investment dollars to work immediately
and/or have a shorter-term investment horizon
* CLASS R shares are designed for eligible institutions on behalf of
their clients (individuals may not purchase these shares directly)
Your financial representative can help you choose the share class that is
appropriate for you.
Reduced Class A sales charge
LETTER OF INTENT: lets you purchase Class A shares over a 13-month period at the
same sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at once.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION: lets you add the value of any shares you own in this
fund, any other Dreyfus Premier fund, or any other fund that is advised by
Founders Asset Management LLC, an affiliate of Dreyfus (the Dreyfus Founders
Funds), sold with a sales load, to the amount of your next Class A investment
for purposes of calculating the sales charge.
CONSULT THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) OR YOUR FINANCIAL
REPRESENTATIVE FOR MORE DETAILS.
The Fund 7
<PAGE 7>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Share class charges
EACH SHARE CLASS has its own fee structure. In some cases, you may not have to
pay a sales charge to buy or sell shares. Consult your financial representative
or the SAI to see if this may apply to you.
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Sales charges
CLASS A -- CHARGED WHEN YOU BUY SHARES
Sales charge Sales charge as
deducted as a % a % of your
Your investment of offering price net investment
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<S> <C> <C>
Up to $49,999 4.50% 4.70%
$50,000 -- $99,999 4.00% 4.20%
$100,000 -- $249,999 3.00% 3.10%
$250,000 -- $499,999 2.50% 2.60%
$500,000 -- $999,999 2.00% 2.00%
$1 million or more* 0.00% 0.00%
* A 1.00% CDSC may be charged on any shares sold within
one year of purchase (except shares bought through
dividend reinvestment).
</TABLE>
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CLASS B -- CHARGED WHEN YOU SELL SHARES
CDSC as a % of your initial
Years since purchase investment or your redemption
was made (whichever is less)
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Up to 2 years 4.00%
2 -- 4 years 3.00%
4 -- 5 years 2.00%
5 -- 6 years 1.00%
More than 6 years Shares will automatically
convert to Class A
Class B shares also carry an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of 0.50% of the class's
average daily net assets.
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CLASS C -- CHARGED WHEN YOU SELL SHARES
A 1.00% CDSC is imposed on redemptions made within the first year of purchase.
Class C shares also carry an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of 0.75% of the class's
average daily net assets.
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CLASS R -- NO SALES LOAD OR RULE 12B-1 FEES
Buying shares
THE NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) of each class is generally calculated as of the close
of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (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.
ORDERS TO BUY AND SELL SHARES received by dealers by the close of trading on the
NYSE and transmitted to the distributor or its designee by the close of its
business day (normally 5:15 p.m. Eastern time) will be based on the NAV
determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE that day.
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Minimum investments
Initial Additional
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REGULAR ACCOUNTS $1,000 $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
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
NET ASSET VALUE (NAV): the market value of one share, computed by dividing the
total net assets of a fund or class by its shares outstanding. The fund's Class
A shares are offered to the public at NAV plus a sales charge. Classes B, C and
R are offered at NAV, but Classes B and C generally are subject to higher annual
operating expenses and a CDSC.
8
<PAGE 8>
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) SHARES AT ANY TIME through your financial representative,
or you can contact the fund directly. 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.
TO KEEP YOUR CDSC AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, each time you request to sell shares we
will first sell shares that are not subject to a CDSC, and then those subject to
the lowest charge. The CDSC is based on the lesser of the original purchase cost
or the current market value of the shares being sold, and is not charged on
shares you acquired by reinvesting your dividends. There are certain instances
when you may qualify to have the CDSC waived. Consult your financial
representative or the SAI for details.
BEFORE SELLING SHARES RECENTLY PURCHASED by check, TeleTransfer or Dreyfus
Automatic Asset Builder((reg.tm)), please note that:
* if you send a written request to sell such shares, the fund may delay
sending the proceeds for up to eight business days following the purchase of
those shares
* the fund will not process wire, telephone or TeleTransfer redemption
requests for up to eight business days following the purchase of those shares
General policies
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).
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
* amounts of $10,000 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.
Small account policies
To offset the relatively higher costs of servicing smaller accounts, the fund
charges regular accounts with balances below $2,000 an annual fee of $12. The
fee will be imposed during the fourth quarter of each calendar year.
The fee will be waived for: any investor whose aggregate Dreyfus mutual fund
investments total at least $25,000; IRA accounts; accounts participating in
automatic investment programs; accounts opened through a financial institution.
If your account falls below $500, the fund may ask you to increase your balance.
If it is still below $500 after 30 days, the fund may close your account and
send you the proceeds.
Your Investment 9
<PAGE 9>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS dividends from its net investment income
once a month, and distributes any net capital gains it has realized once a year.
Each share class will generate a different dividend because each has different
expenses. 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 in the year received to most
investors (unless your investment is in an IRA or other tax-deferred 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
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INCOME ORDINARY ORDINARY
DIVIDENDS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
SHORT-TERM ORDINARY ORDINARY
CAPITAL GAINS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS 10% 20%
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except for tax-deferred accounts, any sale or exchange of fund shares may
generate a tax liability in the year it is made. Of course, taxes are payable on
such transactions in tax-deferred accounts when withdrawals or distributions are
received.
The table at left 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.
10
<PAGE 10>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
THE THIRD PARTY THROUGH WHOM YOU PURCHASED fund shares may impose different
restrictions on these services and privileges offered by the fund, or may not
make them available at all. Consult your financial representative for more
information on the availability of these services and privileges.
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 your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611.
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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
the fund into another Dreyfus fund
or certain Dreyfus Founders funds
(not available for IRAs).
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For exchanging shares
DREYFUS AUTO- For making regular exchanges from
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE the fund into another Dreyfus fund
or certain Dreyfus Founders funds.
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For selling shares
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making regular withdrawals
WITHDRAWAL PLAN from most Dreyfus funds. There will be no CDSC
on Class B shares, as long as the amount of
any withdrawal does not exceed an
annual rate of 12% of the greater of the
account value at the time of the first
withdrawal under the plan, or at the time
of the subsequent withdrawal.
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE (no minimum for retirement accounts)
from one class of the fund into the same class of another Dreyfus Premier fund
or Dreyfus Founders fund. You can request your exchange by contacting your
financial representative. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund
into which you are exchanging before investing. Any new account established
through an exchange will generally 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 a higher one.
TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer on your
account by providing bank account information and following the instructions on
your application, or contact your financial representative.
Reinvestment privilege
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, YOU CAN REINVEST up to the number of Class A or Class B
shares you redeemed within 45 days of selling them at the current share price
without any sales charge. If you paid a CDSC, it will be credited back to your
account. This privilege may be used only once.
Account statements
EVERY FUND INVESTOR automatically receives regular account statements. You will
also be sent a yearly statement detailing the tax characteristics of any
dividends and distributions you have received.
Your Investment 11
<PAGE 11>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
Name of Fund
P.O. Box 6587, Providence, RI 02940-6587 Attn: Institutional Processing
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: Name of Fund P.O. Box 6587, Providence, RI
02940-6587 Attn: Institutional Processing
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York, with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900403497
* the fund name
* the share class
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
* dealer number if applicable
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application with the account
number on the application.
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900403497
* the fund name
* the share class
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
* dealer number if applicable
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate
on your application which automatic service(s) you want. Return your application
with your investment.
ALL SERVICES Call us or your financial representative to request a form to add
any automatic investing service (see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete
and return the form along with any other required materials.
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 6587, Providence, RI
02940-6587 Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Call us or your financial representative to request your transaction. Be
sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Proceeds will be wired
to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Call us or your financial representative to request your
transaction. Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file.
Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic check.
CHECK Call us or your financial representative to request your transaction. A
check will be sent to the address of record.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us or your financial representative 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 open an account, make subsequent investments or to sell shares, please
contact your financial representative or call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-554-4611. Make checks payable to: THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS.
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.
12
<PAGE 12>
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
Attn: Institutional Processing
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 the slip and the check to: The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian P.O. Box
6427, Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900403497
* the fund name
* the share class * your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
* dealer number if applicable
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
Automatically
ALL SERVICES Call us or your financial representative to request a form to add
any 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.
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number and 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 (see "Account
Policies -- Selling Shares").
Mail your request to: The Dreyfus Trust Company P.O. Box 6427, Providence, RI
02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish the
plan.
For information and assistance, contact your financial representative or call
toll free in the U.S. 1-800-554-4611. Make checks payable to: THE DREYFUS TRUST
COMPANY, CUSTODIAN.
Your Investment 13
<PAGE 13>
NOTES
<PAGE>
NOTES
<PAGE>
For More Information
Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund
A series of Dreyfus Debt and Equity Funds
--------------------------------------
SEC file number: 811-4748
More information on this fund is available free upon request, including the
following:
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 your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611
BY MAIL Write to: The Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss
Boulevard Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of certain fund documents can be viewed
online or downloaded from: http://www.sec.gov
You can also obtain copies, after paying a duplicating fee, by visiting the
SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information, call
1-202-942-8090) or by e-mail request to [email protected], or by writing to the
SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-6009.
(c) 2000 Dreyfus Service Corporation
xxxP1200
<PAGE>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DREYFUS DEBT AND EQUITY FUNDS
DREYFUS PREMIER CORE BOND FUND
(Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R Shares)
DREYFUS PREMIER HIGH YIELD SECURITIES FUND
(Class A, Class B, Class C and Class T Shares)
DREYFUS PREMIER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
(Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DECEMBER 29, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of
Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund,
each dated March 1, 2000, and Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund, dated
December 29, 2000 (each, a "Fund," and collectively, the "Funds"), each a series
of Dreyfus Debt and Equity Funds (the "Company"), as each Prospectus may be
revised from time to time.
For a copy of the Prospectus, Annual Report or Semi-Annual Report of any
of these Funds, please call your financial adviser, or you can write to the Fund
at 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, or call
1-800-554-4611.
The most recent Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for
Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund
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. As Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund
was not in existence prior to the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, no financial reports are available for the Fund.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Description of the Company and Funds............................B-3
Management of the Company......................................B-33
Management Arrangements........................................B-37
How to Buy Shares..............................................B-41
Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan................B-49
How to Redeem Shares...........................................B-50
Shareholder Services...........................................B-55
Determination of Net Asset Value...............................B-60
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.............................B-61
Portfolio Transactions.........................................B-63
Performance Information........................................B-65
Information About the Company and Funds........................B-68
Counsel and Independent Auditors...............................B-70
Appendix.......................................................B-71
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY AND FUNDS
The Company is a Massachusetts business trust that commenced operations on
October 1, 1986. Each Fund is a separate portfolio of the Company, an open-end
management investment company, known as a mutual fund. Each Fund is a
diversified fund, which means that, with respect to 75% of the Fund's 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 each Fund's investment
adviser.
Dreyfus Service Corporation (the "Distributor") is the distributor of each
Fund's shares.
Certain Portfolio Securities
The following information supplements (except as noted) and should be read
in conjunction with the relevant Fund's Prospectus.
U.S. Treasury Securities. (Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus
Premier Strategic Income Fund) Each of these Funds may invest in U.S. Treasury
securities which include Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes and Treasury Bonds that
differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance. Treasury Bills
have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes have initial
maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have initial
maturities of greater than ten years.
The Fund may invest in U.S. Treasury securities that include Treasury
Inflation-Protection Securities ("TIPS"), which are newly created securities
issued by the U.S. Treasury designed to provide investors a long term investment
vehicle that is not vulnerable to inflation. The interest rate paid by TIPS is
fixed, while the principal value rises or falls semi-annually based on changes
in a published Consumer Price Index. Thus, if inflation occurs, the principal
and interest payments on the TIPS are adjusted accordingly to protect investors
from inflationary loss. During a deflationary period, the principal and interest
payments decrease, although the TIPS' principal will not drop below its face
amount at maturity.
In exchange for the inflation protection, TIPS generally pay lower
interest rates than typical Treasury securities. In addition, it is not possible
to predict with assurance how the market for TIPS will develop; initially, the
secondary market for these securities may not be as active or liquid as the
secondary market for conventional Treasury securities. Principal appreciation
and interest payments on TIPS will be taxed annually as ordinary interest income
for Federal income tax calculations. As a result, any appreciation in principal
must be counted as interest income in the year the increase occurs, even though
the investor will not receive such amounts until the TIPS are sold or mature.
Principal appreciation and interest payments will be exempt from state and local
income taxes.
U.S. Government Securities. (Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus
Premier Strategic Income Fund) Each of these Funds, in addition to U.S. Treasury
securities, may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government
or its agencies or instrumentalities. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by
U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the full faith
and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others by the right of the issuer to borrow
from the Treasury; others by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to
purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others only
by the credit of the agency or instrumentality. These securities bear fixed,
floating or variable rates of interest. While the U.S. Government currently
provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or
instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do so, since it
is not so obligated by law.
Corporate Debt Securities. (All Funds) Corporate debt securities include
corporate bonds, debentures, notes and other similar instruments, including
certain convertible securities. Debt securities may be acquired with warrants
attached. Corporate income-producing securities also may include forms of
preferred or preference stock. The rate of interest on a corporate debt security
may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary inversely with respect to a
reference rate. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt
obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the
U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies.
Convertible Securities. (All Funds) 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 provide for a stable stream of income with
generally higher yields than common stocks, but 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 generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality because of the potential for
capital appreciation.
Warrants. (All Funds) 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. Each
Fund may invest up to 5% 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.
Common Stock. (All Funds) From time to time, a Fund may hold common stock
sold in units with, or attached to, debt securities purchased by the Fund. A
Fund also may hold common stock received upon the conversion of convertible
securities.
Participation Interests. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in short-term
corporate obligations denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies that are
originated, negotiated and structured by a syndicate of lenders ("Co-Lenders"),
consisting of commercial banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies,
financial companies or other financial institutions one or more of which
administers the security on behalf of the syndicate (the "Agent Bank").
Co-Lenders may sell such securities to third parties called "Participants." The
Fund may invest in such securities either by participating as a Co-Lender at
origination or by acquiring an interest in the security from a Co-Lender or a
Participant (collectively, "participation interests"). Co-Lenders and
Participants interposed between the Fund and the corporate borrower (the
"Borrower"), together with Agent Banks, are referred herein as "Intermediate
Participants."
Each Fund also may purchase a participation interest in a portion of the
rights of an Intermediate Participant, which would not establish any direct
relationship between the Fund and the Borrower. A participation interest gives
the Fund an undivided interest in the security in the proportion that the Fund's
participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the security.
These instruments may have fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. The
Fund would be required to rely on the Intermediate Participant that sold the
participation interest not only for the enforcement of the Fund's rights against
the Borrower but also for the receipt and processing of payments due to the Fund
under the security. Because it may be necessary to assert through an
Intermediate Participant such rights as may exist against the Borrower, in the
event the Borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, the Fund may be
subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would be
involved if the Fund would enforce its rights directly against the Borrower.
Moreover, under the terms of a participation interest, the Fund may be regarded
as a creditor of the Intermediate Participant (rather than of the Borrower), so
that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the Intermediate Participant
may become insolvent. Similar risks may arise with respect to the Agent Bank if,
for example, assets held by the Agent Bank for the benefit of the Fund were
determined by the appropriate regulatory authority or court to be subject to the
claims of the Agent Bank's creditors. In such case, the Fund might incur certain
costs and delays in realizing payment in connection with the participation
interest or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. Further, in the event of
the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Borrower, the obligation of the Borrower to
repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by such
Borrower as a result of improper conduct by the Agent Bank or Intermediate
Participant.
Municipal Obligations. (All Funds) Municipal obligations are debt
obligations issued by states, territories and possessions of the United States
and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and
instrumentalities, or multistate agencies or authorities, the interest from
which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, exempt from Federal
income tax. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to
obtain funds for various public purposes as well as certain industrial
development bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities. Municipal
obligations are classified as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and notes.
General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its faith, credit
and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are
payable from the revenue derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other
specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Industrial
development bonds, in most cases, are revenue bonds that do not carry the pledge
of the credit of the issuing municipality, but generally are guaranteed by the
corporate entity on whose behalf they are issued. Notes are short-term
instruments which are obligations of the issuing municipalities or agencies and
are sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other
revenues. Municipal obligations include municipal lease/purchase agreements
which are similar to installment purchase contracts for property or equipment
issued by municipalities. Municipal obligations bear fixed, floating or variable
rates of interest, which are determined in some instances by formulas under
which the municipal obligation's interest rate will change directly or inversely
to changes in interest rates or an index, or multiples thereof, in many cases
subject to a maximum and minimum. Certain municipal obligations are subject to
redemption at a date earlier than their stated maturity pursuant to call
options, which may be separated from the related municipal obligation and
purchased and sold separately. A Fund also may acquire call options on specific
municipal obligations. The Fund generally would purchase these call options to
protect the Fund from the issuer of the related municipal obligation redeeming,
or other holder of the call option from calling away, the municipal obligation
before maturity.
While, in general, municipal obligations are tax exempt securities having
relatively low yields as compared to taxable, non-municipal obligations of
similar quality, certain municipal obligations are taxable obligations, offering
yields comparable to, and in some cases greater than, the yields available on
other permissible Fund investments. Dividends received by shareholders on Fund
shares which are attributable to interest income received by the Fund from
municipal obligations generally will be subject to Federal income tax. The Fund
may invest in municipal obligations, the ratings of which correspond with the
ratings of other permissible Fund investments. Each Fund currently intends to
invest no more than 25% of its assets in municipal obligations. However, this
percentage may be varied from time to time without shareholder approval.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities. (All Funds) Variable and floating
rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on
the obligations. The terms of such obligations must provide that interest rates
are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as
provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular,
and range from daily up to annually, or may be event based, such as based on a
change in the prime rate.
Each Fund may invest in floating rate debt instruments ("floaters"). The
interest rate on a floater is a variable rate which is tied to another interest
rate, such as a money-market index or Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a
floater resets periodically, typically every six months. Because of the interest
rate reset feature, floaters provide the Fund with a certain degree of
protection against rises in interest rates, although the Fund will participate
in any declines in interest rates as well.
Each Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate debt instruments
("inverse floaters"). The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the
opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater
is indexed or inversely to a multiple of the applicable index. An inverse
floating rate security may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate
obligation of similar credit quality.
Mortgage-Related Securities. (All Funds) Mortgage-related securities are a
form of derivative collateralized by pools of commercial or residential
mortgages. Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to
investors by various governmental, government-related and private organizations.
These securities may include complex instruments such as collateralized mortgage
obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities, mortgage pass-through
securities, interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs"),
adjustable rate mortgages, real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), or other
kinds of mortgage-backed securities, including those with fixed, floating and
variable interest rates, those with interest rates based on multiples of changes
in a specified index of interest rates and those with interest rates that change
inversely to changes in interest rates, as well as those that do not bear
interest.
Residential Mortgage-Related Securities--Each Fund may invest in
mortgage-related securities representing participation interests in pools of
one- to four-family residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by
governmental agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National
Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), the Federal National Mortgage Association
("FNMA") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), or issued by
private entities. Similar to commercial mortgage-related securities, residential
mortgage-related securities have been issued using a variety of structures,
including multi-class structures featuring senior and subordinated classes.
Mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA include GNMA Mortgage
Pass-Through Certificates (also know as "Ginnie Maes") which are guaranteed as
to the timely payment of principal and interest by GNMA and such guarantee is
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA certificates also
are supported by the authority of GNMA to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to
make payments under its guarantee. Mortgage-related securities issued by FNMA
include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as
"Fannie Maes") which are solely the obligations of FNMA and are not backed by or
entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States. Fannie Maes are
guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA.
Mortgage-related securities issued by FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation
Certificates (also known as "Freddie Macs" or "PCs"). Freddie Macs are not
guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Bank and do not
constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan
Bank. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is
guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely
payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC
does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due
on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after
default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it
becomes payable.
Commercial Mortgage-Related Securities--Each Fund may invest in commercial
mortgage-related securities which generally are multi-class debt or pass-through
certificates secured by mortgage loans on commercial properties. These
mortgage-related securities generally are constructed to provide protection to
the senior classes investors against potential losses on the underlying mortgage
loans. This protection generally is provided by having the holders of
subordinated classes of securities ("Subordinated Securities") take the first
loss if there are defaults on the underlying commercial mortgage loans. Other
protection, which may benefit all of the classes or particular classes, may
include issuer guarantees, reserve funds, additional Subordinated Securities,
cross-collateralization and over-collateralization.
Subordinated Securities--Each Fund may invest in Subordinated Securities issued
or sponsored by commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage
bankers, private mortgage insurance companies and other non-governmental
issuers. Subordinated Securities have no governmental guarantee, and are
subordinated in some manner as to the payment of principal and/or interest to
the holders of more senior mortgage-related securities arising out of the same
pool of mortgages. The holders of Subordinated Securities typically are
compensated with a higher stated yield than are the holders of more senior
mortgage-related securities. On the other hand, Subordinated Securities
typically subject the holder to greater risk than senior mortgage-related
securities and tend to be rated in a lower rating category, and frequently a
substantially lower rating category, than the senior mortgage-related securities
issued in respect of the same pool of mortgage. Subordinated Securities
generally are likely to be more sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest
rates and the market for such securities may be less liquid than is the case for
traditional fixed-income securities and senior mortgage-related securities.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ("CMOs") and Multi-Class
Pass-Through-Securities--Each Fund may invest in CMOs which are multiclass bonds
backed by pools of mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage loans. CMOs
may be collateralized by (a) Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac pass-through
certificates, (b) unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing
Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, (c)
unsecuritized conventional mortgages, (d) other mortgage-related securities, or
(e) any combination thereof.
Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a
specific coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date.
Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired
substantially earlier than the stated maturities or final distribution dates.
The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among
the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. One or more tranches of a
CMO may have coupon rates which reset periodically at a specified increment over
an index, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") (or sometimes more
than one index). These floating rate CMOs typically are issued with lifetime
caps on the coupon rate thereon. Each Fund also may invest in inverse floating
rate CMOs. Inverse floating rate CMOs constitute a tranche of a CMO with a
coupon rate that moves in the reverse direction to an applicable index such a
LIBOR. Accordingly, the coupon rate thereon will increase as interest rates
decrease. Inverse floating rate CMOs are typically more volatile than fixed or
floating rate tranches of CMOs.
Many inverse floating rate CMOs have coupons that move inversely to a
multiple of the applicable indexes. The effect of the coupon varying inversely
to a multiple of an applicable index creates a leverage factor. Inverse floaters
based on multiples of a stated index are designed to be highly sensitive to
changes in interest rates and can subject the holders thereof to extreme
reductions of yield and loss of principal. The markets for inverse floating rate
CMOs with highly leveraged characteristics at times may be very thin. The Fund's
ability to dispose of its positions in such securities will depend on the degree
of liquidity in the markets for such securities. It is impossible to predict the
amount of trading interest that may exist in such securities, and therefore the
future degree of liquidity.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities--Each Fund may invest in stripped
mortgage-backed securities which are created by segregating the cash flows from
underlying mortgage loans or mortgage securities to create two or more new
securities, each with a specified percentage of the underlying Security's
principal or interest payments. Mortgage securities may be partially stripped so
that each investor class receives some interest and some principal. When
securities are completely stripped, however, all of the interest is distributed
to holders of one type of security, known as an interest-only security, or IO,
and all of the principal is distributed to holders of another type of security
known as a principal-only security, or PO. Strips can be created in a
pass-through structure or as tranches of a CMO. The yields to maturity on IO and
POs are very sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments)
on the related underlying mortgage assets. If the underlying mortgage assets
experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may not
fully recoup its initial investment in IOs. Conversely, if the underlying
mortgage assets experience less than anticipated prepayments of principal, the
yield on POs could be materially and adversely affected.
Real Estate Investment Trusts--Each Fund may invest in REITs. A REIT is a
corporation, or a business trust that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation,
which meets the definitional requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"). The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct dividends
paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level Federal income tax and
making the REIT a pass-through vehicle for Federal income tax purposes. To meet
the definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things,
invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including
mortgages and other REITs) or cash and government securities, derive most of its
income from rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages
on real property, and distribute to shareholders annually a substantial portion
of its otherwise taxable income.
REITs are characterized as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs.
Equity REITs, which may include operating or finance companies, own real estate
directly and the value of, and income earned by, the REITs depends upon the
income of the underlying properties and the rental income they earn. Equity
REITs also can realize capital gains (or losses) by selling properties that have
appreciated (or depreciated) in value. Mortgage REITs can make construction,
development or long-term mortgage loans and are sensitive to the credit quality
of the borrower. Mortgage REITs derive their income from interest payments on
such loans. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both equity and mortgage
REITs, generally by holding both ownership interests and mortgage interests in
real estate. The value of securities issued by REITs are affected by tax and
regulatory requirements and by perceptions of management skill. They also are
subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers or tenants,
self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status
under the Code or to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Loans ("ARMs")--Each Fund may invest in ARMs. ARMs
eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool generally will provide for a fixed
initial mortgage interest rate for a specified period of time, generally for
either the first three, six, twelve, thirteen, thirty-six, or sixty scheduled
monthly payments. Thereafter, the interest rates are subject to periodic
adjustment based on changes in an index. ARMs typically have minimum and maximum
rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of
the loans. Certain ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount
by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period.
Negatively amortizing ARMs may provide limitations on changes in the required
monthly payment. Limitations on monthly payments can result in monthly payments
that are greater or less than the amount necessary to amortize a negatively
amortizing ARM by its maturity at the interest rate in effect during any
particular month.
Private Entity Securities--Each Fund may invest in mortgage-related securities
issued by commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers,
private mortgage insurance companies and other non-governmental issuers. Timely
payment of principal and interest on mortgage-related securities backed by pools
created by non-governmental issuers often is supported partially by various
forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and
hazard insurance. The insurance and guarantees are issued by government
entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers. There can be no assurance
that the private insurers or mortgage poolers can meet their obligations under
the policies, so that if the issuers default on their obligations the holders of
the security could sustain a loss. No insurance or guarantee covers the Fund or
the price of the Fund's shares. Mortgage-related securities issued by
non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than
government-agency and government-related securities because there are no direct
or indirect government guarantees of payment.
Other Mortgage-Related Securities--Other mortgage-related securities that the
Funds may invest in include securities other than those described above that
directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and
payable from, mortgage loans on real property, including CMO residuals. Other
mortgage-related securities may be equity or debt securities issued by agencies
or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or
investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations,
homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks, partnerships,
trusts and special purpose entities of the foregoing.
Asset-Backed Securities. (All Funds) Asset-backed securities are a form of
derivative. The securitization techniques used for asset-backed securities are
similar to those used for mortgage-related securities. These securities include
debt securities and securities with debt-like characteristics. The collateral
for these securities has included home equity loans, automobile and credit card
receivables, boat loans, computer leases, airplane leases, mobile home loans,
recreational vehicle loans and hospital account receivables. A Fund may invest
in these and other types of asset-backed securities that may be developed in the
future.
Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by
mortgage-backed securities. Primarily, these securities may provide a Fund with
a less effective security interest in the related collateral than do
mortgage-backed securities. Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries
on the underlying collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support
payments on these securities.
Zero Coupon, Pay-In-Kind and Step-up Securities. (All Funds) Each Fund may
invest in zero coupon U.S. Treasury securities, which are Treasury Notes and
Bonds that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons
themselves and receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped
debt obligations and coupons. Zero coupon securities also are issued by
corporations and financial institutions which constitute a proportionate
ownership of the issuer's pool of underlying U.S. Treasury securities. A zero
coupon security pays no interest to its holders during its life and is sold at a
discount to its face value at maturity. Each Fund may invest in pay-in-kind
bonds which are bonds which generally pay interest through the issuance of
additional bonds. Each Fund also may purchase step-up coupon bonds which are
debt securities which typically do not pay interest for a specified period of
time and then pay interest at a series of different rates. The market prices of
these securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of
securities that pay interest periodically and are likely to respond to a greater
degree to changes in interest rates than securities having similar maturities
and credit qualities. In addition, unlike bonds that pay interest throughout the
period to maturity, the Fund will realize no cash until the cash payment date
unless a portion of such securities are sold and, if the issuer defaults, the
Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. Federal income tax law
requires the holder of a zero coupon security or of certain pay-in-kind or
step-up bonds to accrue income with respect to these securities prior to the
receipt of cash payments. To maintain its qualification as a regulated
investment company and avoid liability for Federal income taxes, the Fund may be
required to distribute such income accrued with respect to these securities and
may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances
in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
High Yield-Lower Rated Securities. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in
higher yielding (and, therefore higher risk) debt securities, including
mortgage-related securities. These securities include those rated below Baa by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and below BBB by Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services ("S&P"), and Fitch IBCA, Duff & Phelps ("Fitch", and with the
other rating agencies, the "Rating Agencies") and as low as the lowest rating
assigned by the Rating Agencies. Securities rated Ba by Moody's are judged to
have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured and
often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate.
Securities rated BB by S&P or Fitch are regarded as having predominantly
speculative characteristics and, while such obligations have less near-term
vulnerability to default than other speculative grade debt, they face major
ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic
conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and
principal payments. Securities rated C by Moody's are regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Securities rated D by S&P and Fitch are in default and the payment of interest
and/or repayment of principal is in arrears. Such securities, though high
yielding, are characterized by great risk. See "Appendix" for a general
description of securities ratings.
The ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the
quality of the obligations which they undertake to rate. Ratings are relative
and subjective and, although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety or
interest and principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of
such obligations. Although these ratings may be an initial criterion for
selection of portfolio investments, the Manager also will evaluate these
securities and the ability of the issuers of such securities to pay interest and
principal. The Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective may be more
dependent on the Manager's credit analysis than might be the case for a fund
that invested in higher rated securities.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier High
Yield Securities Fund, the average distribution of investments of such Fund in
corporate bonds (excluding preferred stock, convertible preferred stock and
convertible bonds) by ratings for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999,
calculated monthly on a dollar-weighted basis, was as follows:
Dreyfus Premier Moody's Or S&P or Fitch Percentage
Core ------- ------------- ----------
Bond Fund
Aaa AAA 45.9%
Aa AA 2.1%
A A 9.7%
Baa BBB 21.8%
Ba BB 10.6%
B B 3.2%
Caa CCC 0.8%
Ca CC 0.3%
NR NR 3.6%*
98.0%**
===================================================================
* These unrated securities have been determined by the Manager to be of
comparable quality to securities rated as follows: A (0.4%), Baa/BBB (1.7%),
Ba/BB (1.4%) and B (0.1%).
** The Fund also owns equity securities (0.6%), convertible preferred stocks
rated Caa/CCC (0.7%), preferred stocks rated Caa/CCC (8.1%), and convertible
bonds rated A (0.2%), Baa/BBB (0.9%) and B (1.3%).
Dreyfus Premier
High Yield Securities
Fund Moody's Or S&P or Fitch Percentage
------- ------------- ----------
Aaa AAA 2.9%
Ba BB 1.1%
B B 26.8%
Caa CCC 13.0%
Ca CC 2.5%
NR NR 20.8%*
---------
67.1%**
* These unrated securities have been determined by the Manager to be of
comparable quality to securities rated as follows: A (0.3%), B (1.0%), Caa/CCC
(19.4%) and Ca/CC (0.1%).
** The Fund also owns equity securities (2.8%), convertible preferred stocks
rated Caa/CCC (6.8%), preferred stocks rated Aaa/AAA (0.7%), B (9.9%), and
Caa/CCC (10.4%), and convertible bonds rated B (2.0%).
The actual distribution of a Fund's corporate bond investments by ratings
on any given date will vary, and the distribution of the Funds' investments by
ratings as set forth above should not be considered as representative of the
Funds' future portfolio composition.
As Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund was not in existence on October
31, 1999, no information on the average distribution of investments is available
for the Fund.
Foreign Government Obligations; Securities Of Supranational Entities. (All
Funds) Each Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by one or more
foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or
instrumentalities that are determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality
to the other obligations in which the Fund may invest. Such securities also
include debt obligations of supranational entities. Supranational entities
include international organizations designated or supported by governmental
entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and international
banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the
European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the
InterAmerican Development Bank.
Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund can invest up to 30% of its assets in
foreign debt. Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund can invest without
limitation in foreign debt, including emerging markets debt, but will invest not
more than 35% of its assets in foreign debt that is not U.S. dollar denominated.
Securities of Emerging Markets Issuers. (Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income
Fund only) Each Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in companies whose
principal activities are in, or governments of, emerging markets. Emerging
markets will include any countries (i) having an "emerging stock market" as
defined by the International Finance Corporation; (ii) with low- to
middle-income economies according to the World Bank; or (iii) listed in World
Bank publications as developing. Currently, the countries not included in these
categories are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Issuers
whose principal activities are in countries with emerging markets include
issuers: (1) organized under the laws of, (2) whose securities have their
primary trading market in, (3) deriving at least 50% of their revenues or
profits from goods sold, investments made, or services performed in, or (4)
having at least 50% of their assets located in a country with, an emerging
market. In emerging markets, the Fund may purchase debt securities issued or
guaranteed by foreign governments, including participations in loans between
foreign governments and financial institutions, and interests in entities
organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment
characteristics of instruments issued or guaranteed by foreign governments
("Sovereign Debt Obligations"). These include Brady Bonds, Structured
Securities, and Loan Participations and Assignments (as defined below).
Brady Bonds--Brady Bonds are debt obligations created through the exchange of
existing commercial bank loans to foreign entities for new obligations in
connection with debt restructurings under a plan introduced by former U.S.
Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady.
Brady Bonds have been issued only relatively recently, and, accordingly,
do not have a long payment history. They may be collateralized or
uncollateralized and issued in various currencies (although most are U.S.
dollar-denominated). They are actively traded in the over-the-counter secondary
market.
Collateralized Brady Bonds may be fixed rate par bonds or floating rate
discount bonds, which are generally collateralized in full as to principal due
at maturity by U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations which have the same
maturity as the Brady Bonds. Interest payments on these Brady Bonds generally
are collateralized by cash or securities in an amount that, in the case of fixed
rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of rolling interest payments or, in
the case of floating rate bonds, initially is equal to at least one year's
rolling interest payments based on the applicable interest rate at that time and
is adjusted at regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to
"value recovery payments" in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute
supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Brady Bonds
are often viewed as having three or four valuation components: (i) the
collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity; (ii) the collateralized
interest payments; (iii) the uncollateralized interest payments; and (iv) any
uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized
amounts constitute the "residual risk"). In the event of a default with respect
to Collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of which the payment obligations of
the issuer are accelerated, the U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations held as
collateral for the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors,
nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral
will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted
Brady Bonds, which will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face
amount of the collateral will equal the principal payments which would have then
been due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. In addition, in light of the
residual risk of Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults
with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of
countries issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds are to be viewed as
speculative.
Structured Securities--Structured Securities are interests in entities organized
and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the investment
characteristics of Sovereign Debt Obligations. This type of restructuring
involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or
trust, of specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans or Brady bonds)
and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities
("Structured Securities") backed by, or representing interests in, the
underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be
apportioned among the newly-issued Structured Securities to create securities
with different investment characteristics such as varying maturities, payment
priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of the payments made
with respect to Structured Securities is dependent on the extent of the cash
flow on the underlying instruments. Because Structured Securities of the type in
which each Fund anticipates it will invest typically involve no credit
enhancement, their credit risk generally will be equivalent to that of the
underlying instruments.
Each Fund is permitted to invest in a class of Structured Securities that
is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another
class. Subordinated Structured Securities typically have higher yields and
present greater risks than unsubordinated Structured Securities.
Certain issuers of Structured Securities may be deemed to be "investment
companies" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"). As a result, a Fund's investment in these Structured Securities may
be limited by the restrictions contained in the 1940 Act. See "Investment
Company Securities" below.
Loan Participations and Assignments--Each Fund may invest in fixed and floating
rate loans ("Loans") arranged through private negotiations between an issuer of
Sovereign Debt Obligations and one or more financial institutions ("Lenders"). A
Fund's investments in Loans are expected in most instances to be in the form of
participations in Loans ("Participations") and assignments of all or a portion
of Loans ("Assignments") from third parties. The government that is the borrower
on the Loan will be considered by the Fund to be the issuer of a Participation
or Assignment. A Fund's investment in Participations typically will result in
the Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender and not with the
borrower. The Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal,
interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the
Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the
borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Fund generally will
have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan
agreement relating to the Loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower,
and the Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the Loan in
which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund may be subject
to the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the
Participation. In the event of the insolvency of the Lender selling a
Participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the Lender and
may not benefit from any set-off between the Lender and the borrower. Certain
Participations may be structured in a manner designed to avoid purchasers of
Participations being subject to the credit risk of the Lender with respect to
the Participation, but even under such a structure, in the event of the Lender's
insolvency, the Lender's servicing of the Participation may be delayed and the
assignability of the Participation impaired. A Fund will acquire Participations
only if the Lender interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower is a Lender
having total assets of more than $25 billion and whose senior unsecured debt is
rated investment grade or higher (i.e., Baa/BBB or higher).
When a Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders it will acquire direct
rights against the borrower on the Loan. Because Assignments are arranged
through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential
assignors, however, the rights and obligations acquired by the Fund as the
purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held
by the assigning Lender. The assignability of certain Sovereign Debt Obligations
is restricted by the governing documentation as to the nature of the assignee
such that the only way in which the Fund may acquire an interest in a Loan is
through a Participation and not an Assignment. The Fund may have difficulty
disposing of Assignments and Participations because to do so it will have to
assign such securities to a third party. Because there is no established
secondary market for such securities, the Fund anticipates that such securities
could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. The lack of
an established secondary market may have an adverse impact on the value of such
securities and the Fund's ability to dispose of particular Assignments or
Participations when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity needs or in response
to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of
the borrower. The lack of an established secondary market for Assignments and
Participations also may make it more difficult for the Fund to assign a value to
these securities for purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio and calculating
its net asset value. No Fund will invest more than 15% of the value of its net
assets in Loan Participations and Assignments that are illiquid, and in other
illiquid securities.
Illiquid Securities. (All Funds) Each 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
objective. These 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.
Money Market Instruments. (All Funds) When the Manager determines that
adverse market conditions exist, a 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. A Fund also may purchase money market instruments when it has cash
reserves or in anticipation of taking a market position.
Investment Techniques
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the relevant Fund's Prospectus, (except as noted).
Duration. As a measure of a fixed income security's cash flow, duration is
an alternative to the concept of "term to maturity" in assessing the price
volatility associated with changes in interest rates. Generally, the longer the
duration, the more volatility an investor should expect. For example, the market
price of a bond with a duration of three years would be expected to decline 3%
if interest rates rose 1%. Conversely, the market price of the same bond would
be expected to increase 3% if interest rates fell 1%. The market price of a bond
with a duration of six years would be expected to increase or decline twice as
much as the market price of a bond with a three-year duration. Duration is a way
of measuring a security's maturity in terms of the average time required to
receive the present value of all interest and principal payments as opposed to
its term to maturity. The maturity of a security measures only the time until
final payment is due; it does not take account of the pattern of a security's
cash flows over time, which would include how cash flow is affected by
prepayments and by changes in interest rates. Incorporating a security's yield,
coupon interest payments, final maturity and option features into one measure,
duration is computed by determining the weighted average maturity of a bond's
cash flows, where the present values of the cash flows serve as weights. In
computing the duration of a Fund, the Manager will estimate the duration of
obligations that are subject to features such as prepayment or redemption by the
issuer, put options retained by the investor or other imbedded options, taking
into account the influence of interest rates on prepayments and coupon flows.
Portfolio Maturity. (Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund) The Fund typically
will maintain an average effective maturity ranging between five and ten years.
However, to the extent the maturity of the Fund's benchmark index is outside
this range at a particular time (generally, this may occur during other than
usual market conditions), the Fund's average effective maturity also may fall
outside such range. For purposes of calculating average effective portfolio
maturity, a security that is subject to redemption at the option of the issuer
on a particular date (the "call date") which is prior to the security's stated
maturity may be deemed to mature on the call date rather than on its stated
maturity date. The call date of a security will be used to calculate average
effective portfolio maturity when the Manager reasonably anticipates, based upon
information available to it, that the issuer will exercise its right to redeem
the security. The Manager may base its conclusion on such factors as the
interest-rate paid on the security compared to prevailing market rates, the
amount of cash available to the issuer of the security, events affecting the
issuer of the security, and other factors that may compel or make it
advantageous for the issuer to redeem a security prior to its stated maturity.
Leverage. (All Funds) Leveraging (that is, buying securities using
borrowed money) exaggerates the effect on net asset value of any increase or
decrease in the market value of a Fund's portfolio. These borrowings will be
subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of
the securities purchased; in certain cases, interest costs may exceed the return
received on the securities purchased. For borrowings for investment purposes,
the 1940 Act requires a Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets
including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the
amount borrowed. If the required coverage should decline as a result of market
fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to sell some of its
portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the amount of its borrowings and
restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an
investment standpoint to sell securities at that time. The Fund also may be
required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowing
or pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these
requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
Each Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with banks, brokers
or dealers. This form of borrowing involves the transfer by the Fund of an
underlying debt instrument in return for cash proceeds based on a percentage of
the value of the security. The Fund retains the right to receive interest and
principal payments on the security. At an agreed upon future date, the Fund
repurchases the security at principal plus accrued interest. Except for these
transactions, a Fund's borrowings generally will be unsecured.
Short-Selling. (All Funds) In these transactions, the Fund sells a
security it does not own 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.
No Fund will sell securities 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. A 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.
Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed
security, it will: (a) segregate permissible liquid assets in an amount that,
together with the amount deposited as collateral, always equals the current
value of the security sold short; or (b) otherwise cover its short position.
Lending Portfolio Securities. (All Funds) Each 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, dividends 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, 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.
Derivatives. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in, or enter into,
derivatives, such as options and futures, swaps (except for Dreyfus Premier Core
Bond Fund), mortgage-related securities and asset-backed securities, 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 a 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 a Fund's
performance.
If a 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. A 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 neither the Company nor any Fund will be a commodity pool,
certain derivatives subject the Funds to the rules of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission which limit the extent to which a Fund can invest in such
derivatives. Each Fund may invest in futures contracts and options with respect
thereto for hedging purposes without limit. However, a 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 daily variation margin 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. By 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. Each Fund may enter into futures contracts in
U.S. domestic markets, or on exchanges located outside the United States.
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 that the Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated
by adverse changes in the currency exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses
as a result of those changes. Transactions on foreign exchanges may include
commodities which are traded on domestic exchanges or 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 a 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 position 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, a Fund may be required to segregate 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. Each Fund may purchase and sell interest rate
futures contracts. An interest rate future obligates the Fund to purchase or
sell an amount of a specific debt security at a future date at a specific price.
Each 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.
Each 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.
Interest Rate Swaps. (Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund and Dreyfus
Premier Strategic Income Fund only) 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). The exchange commitments can involve payments to be made in the same
currency or in different currencies. The use of interest rate swaps is a highly
specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different
from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the
Manager is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates and other
applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish
compared with what it would have been if these investment techniques were not
used. Moreover, even if the Manager is correct in its forecasts, there is a risk
that the swap position may correlate imperfectly with the price of the asset or
liability being hedged. There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap
transactions that may be entered into by the Fund. These transactions do not
involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.
Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to
the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to
make. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, the Fund's risk of
loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund contractually
is entitled to receive.
Credit Derivatives. (Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund and Dreyfus
Premier Strategic Income Fund only) Each of these Funds may engage in credit
derivative transactions. There are two broad categories of credit derivatives:
default price risk derivatives and market spread derivatives. Default price risk
derivatives are linked to the price of reference securities or loans after a
default by the issuer or borrower, respectively. Market spread derivatives are
based on the risk that changes in market factors, such as credit spreads, can
cause a decline in the value of a security, loan or index. There are three basic
transactional forms for credit derivatives: swaps, options and structured
instruments. The use of credit derivatives is a highly specialized activity
which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Manager is incorrect in its
forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors, the
investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would
have been if these techniques were not used. Moreover, even if the Manager is
correct in its forecasts, there is a risk that a credit derivative position may
correlate imperfectly with the price of the asset or liability being hedged.
There is no limit on the amount of credit derivative transactions that may be
entered into by the Fund. The Fund's risk of loss in a credit derivative
transaction varies with the form of the transaction. For example, if the Fund
purchases a default option on a security, and if no default occurs with respect
to the security, the Fund's loss is limited to the premium it paid for the
default option. In contrast, if there is a default by the grantor of a default
option, the Fund's loss will include both the premium that it paid for the
option and the decline in value of the underlying security that the default
option hedged.
Options--In General. Each Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets, represented by
the premium paid, in the purchase of call and put options. A 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 a Fund is a call option with respect to
which the Fund owns the underlying security or otherwise covers the transaction
by segregating permissible liquid assets. A put option written by a Fund is
covered when, among other things, the Fund segregates permissible liquid assets
having a value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the option 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. Each 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.
Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund and Dreyfus Premier Strategic
Income Fund each may purchase cash-settled options on swaps in pursuit of their
respective investment objective. 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 a Fund of options will be subject to the ability of the
Manager to predict correctly movements in the prices of individual stocks, the
stock market generally, foreign currencies or interest rates. To the extent such
predictions are incorrect, the Fund may incur losses.
Future Developments. Each Fund may take advantage of opportunities in
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 objective 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 Roll Transactions. (Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus
Premier Strategic Income Fund only) To enhance current income, each of these
Funds may enter into forward roll transactions with respect to mortgage-related
securities. In a forward roll transaction, the Fund sells a mortgage-related
security to a financial institution, such as a bank or broker-dealer, and
simultaneously agrees to purchase a similar security from the institution at a
later date at an agreed upon price. The securities that are purchased will bear
the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by
different pools of mortgages with different pre-payment histories than those
sold. During the period between the sale and purchase, the Fund will not be
entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold.
Proceeds of the sale typically will be invested in short-term instruments,
particularly repurchase agreements, and the income from these investments,
together with any additional fee income received on the sale will be expected to
generate income for the Fund exceeding the yield on the securities sold. Forward
roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold
by the Fund may decline below the purchase price of those securities. The Fund
will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the
repurchase price (including accrued interest).
Forward Commitments. (All Funds) Each Fund may purchase or sell securities
on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis, which means
delivery and payment take place a number of days after the date of the
commitment to purchase or sell the securities at a predetermined price and/or
yield. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is
delivered. When purchasing a security on a forward commitment basis, the Fund
assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of
price and yield fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account when
determining its net asset value. Because the Fund is not required to pay for
these securities until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the
risks associated with the Fund's other investments. If the Fund is fully or
almost fully invested when forward commitment purchases are outstanding, such
purchases may result in a form of leverage. Each Fund intends to engage in
forward commitments to increase its portfolio's financial exposure to the types
of securities in which it invests. Leveraging the portfolio in this manner will
increase the Fund's exposure to changes in interest rates and will increase the
volatility of its returns. A Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at
least equal at all times to the amount of the Fund's purchase commitments. At no
time will a Fund have more than 33-1/3% of its assets committed to purchase
securities on a forward commitment basis.
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 a 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.
Foreign Currency Transactions. (All Funds) Each 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, a Fund's purchase
of foreign currencies for U.S. dollars or the maintenance 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. A Fund's success in
these transactions will depend principally on the ability of the Manager 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.
Certain Investment Considerations and Risks
High Yield-Lower Rated Securities. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in
higher yielding (and, therefore, higher risk) securities such as those rated Ba
by Moody's or BB by S&P or Fitch, including securities with the lowest rating
assigned by the Rating Agencies. They may be subject to certain risks with
respect to the issuing entity and to greater market fluctuations than certain
lower yielding, higher rated securities. The retail secondary market for these
securities may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities; adverse
conditions could make it difficult at times for the Fund to sell certain
securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating the
Fund's net asset value.
Bond prices are inversely related to interest rate changes; however, bond
price volatility also is inversely related to coupon. Accordingly, below
investment grade securities may be relatively less sensitive to interest rate
changes than higher quality securities of comparable maturity, because of their
higher coupon. This higher coupon is what the investor receives in return for
bearing greater credit risk. The higher credit risk associated with below
investment grade securities potentially can have a greater effect on the value
of such securities than may be the case with higher quality issues of comparable
maturity, and will be a substantial factor in the Fund's relative share price
volatility. Although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest
and principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of these
securities. The Funds will rely on the Manager's judgment, analysis and
experience in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer.
Companies that issue certain of these securities often are highly
leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of
financing. Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such
issuers generally is greater than is the case with the higher rated securities.
For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising
interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of these securities may not have
sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer's
ability to service its debt obligations also may be affected adversely by
specific corporate developments, forecasts, or the unavailability of additional
financing. The risk of loss because of default by the issuer is significantly
greater for the holders of these securities because such securities generally
are unsecured and often are subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.
Because there is no established retail secondary market for many of these
securities, the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a
limited number of dealers or institutional investors. To the extent a secondary
trading market for these securities does exist, it generally is not as liquid as
the secondary market for higher rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary
market may have an adverse impact on market price and yield and the Fund's
ability to dispose of particular issues when necessary to meet the Fund's
liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event such as a
deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. The lack of a liquid
secondary market for certain securities also may make it more difficult for the
Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing the Fund's
portfolio and calculating its net asset value. Adverse publicity and investor
perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the
values and liquidity of these securities. In such cases, judgment may play a
greater role in valuation because less reliable, objective data may be
available.
These securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. An
economic recession could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of lower
rated bonds to repay principal and pay interest thereon and increase the
incidence of default for such securities. It is likely that an economic
recession also could disrupt severely the market for such securities and have an
adverse impact on their value.
A Fund may acquire these securities during an initial offering. Such
securities may involve special risks because they are new issues. No Fund has an
arrangement with any person concerning the acquisition of such securities, and
the Manager will review carefully the credit and other characteristics pertinent
to such new issues.
The credit risk factors pertaining to lower rated securities also apply to
lower rated zero coupon bonds, pay-in-kind bonds and step-up bonds. In addition
to the risks associated with the credit rating of the issuers, the market prices
of these securities may be very volatile during the period no interest is paid.
Mortgage-Related Securities. (All Funds) Mortgage-related securities are
complex derivative instruments, subject to both credit and prepayment risk.
Although they may provide opportunities for enhanced total return, you should be
aware that the lower rated mortgage-related securities in which each Fund may
invest are likely to be more volatile and less liquid, and more difficult to
price accurately, than more traditional debt securities. These securities may be
particularly susceptible to economic downturns. It is likely that an economic
recession could disrupt severely the market for such securities and may have an
adverse impact on the value of such securities.
Mortgage-related securities generally are subject to credit risks
associated with the performance of the underlying mortgage properties and to
prepayment risk. In certain instances, the credit risk associated with
mortgage-related securities can be reduced by third party guarantees or other
forms of credit support. Improved credit risk does not reduce prepayment risk
which is unrelated to the rating assigned to the mortgage-related security.
Prepayment risk can lead to fluctuations in value of the mortgage-related
security which may be pronounced. If a mortgage-related security is purchased at
a premium, all or part of the premium may be lost if there is a decline in the
market value of the security, whether resulting from changes in interest rates
or prepayments on the underlying mortgage collateral. Certain mortgage-related
securities that may be purchased by a Fund, such as inverse floating rate
collateralized mortgage obligations, have coupons that move inversely to a
multiple of a specific index which may result in a form of leverage. As with
other interest-bearing securities, the prices of certain mortgage-related
securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. However,
although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest
rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since in periods of declining
interest rates the mortgages underlying the security are more likely to be
prepaid. For this and other reasons, a mortgage-related security's stated
maturity may be shortened by unscheduled prepayments on the underlying
mortgages, and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the
security's return to the Fund. Moreover, with respect to certain stripped
mortgage-backed securities, if the underlying mortgage securities experience
greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully
recoup its initial investment even if the securities are rated in the highest
rating category by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
During periods of rapidly rising interest rates, prepayments of mortgage-related
securities may occur at slower than expected rates. Slower prepayments
effectively may lengthen a mortgage-related security's expected maturity which
generally would cause the value of such security to fluctuate more widely in
response to changes in interest rates. Were the prepayments on a Fund's
mortgage-related securities to decrease broadly, the Fund's effective duration,
and thus sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations, would increase. Commercial
real property loans, however, often contain provisions that reduce the
likelihood that such securities will be prepaid. The provisions generally impose
significant prepayment penalties on loans and in some cases there may be
prohibitions on principal prepayments for several years following origination.
Foreign Securities. (All Funds) 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, a Fund investing in such securities 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.
Moreover, foreign securities held by a Fund may trade on days when the Fund does
not calculate its net asset value and thus affect the Fund's net asset value on
days when investors have no access to the Fund.
Developing countries have economic structures that are generally less
diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of
developed countries. The markets of developing countries may be more volatile
than the markets of more mature economies; however, such markets may provide
higher rates of return to investors. Many developing countries providing
investment opportunities for the Funds have experienced substantial, and in some
periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid
fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have adverse
effects on the economies and securities markets of certain of these countries.
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.
Investing in Sovereign Debt Obligations of Emerging Market Countries.
(Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund only) No established secondary markets
may exist for many of the Sovereign Debt Obligations in which the Fund will
invest. Reduced secondary market liquidity may have an adverse effect on the
market price and the Fund's ability to dispose of particular instruments when
necessary to meet its liquidity requirements or in response to specific economic
events such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. Reduced
secondary market liquidity for certain Sovereign Debt Obligations also may make
it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes
of valuing its portfolio. Market quotations are generally available on many
Sovereign Debt Obligations only from a limited number of dealers and may not
necessarily represent firm bids of those dealers or prices for actual sales.
The Sovereign Debt Obligations in which the Fund will invest in most cases
pertain to countries that are among the world's largest debtors to commercial
banks, foreign governments, international financial organizations and other
financial institutions. In recent years, the governments of some of these
countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their external debt
obligations, which led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring
of certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included, among other
things, reducing and rescheduling interest and principal payments by negotiating
new or amended credit agreements or converting outstanding principal and unpaid
interest to Brady Bonds, and obtaining new credit to finance interest payments.
Certain governments have not been able to make payments of interest on or
principal of Sovereign Debt Obligations as those payments have come due.
Obligations arising from past restructuring agreements may affect the economic
performance and political and social stability of those issuers.
The Fund is permitted to invest in Sovereign Debt Obligations that are not
current in the payment of interest or principal or are in default, so long as
the Manager believes it to be consistent with the Fund's investment objective.
The Fund may have limited legal recourse in the event of a default with respect
to certain Sovereign Debt Obligations it holds. Bankruptcy, moratorium and other
similar laws applicable to issuers of Sovereign Debt Obligations may be
substantially different from those applicable to issuers of private debt
obligations. The political context, expressed as the willingness of an issuer of
Sovereign Debt Obligations to meet the terms of the debt obligation, for
example, is of considerable importance. In addition, no assurance can be given
that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the
holders of securities issued by foreign governments in the event of default
under commercial bank loan agreements.
The ability of governments to make timely payments on their obligations is
likely to be influenced strongly by the issuer's balance of payments, including
export performance, and its access to international credits and investments. A
country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities could be vulnerable
to a decline in the international prices of one or more of those commodities.
Increased protectionism on the part of a country's trading partners also could
adversely affect the country's exports and diminish its trade account surplus,
if any. To the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in
currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in
dollars could be adversely affected.
To the extent that a country develops a trade deficit, it will need to
depend on continuing loans from foreign governments, multilateral organizations
or private commercial banks, aid payments from foreign governments and on
inflows of foreign investment. The access of a country to these forms of
external funding may not be certain, and a withdrawal of external funding could
adversely affect the capacity of a government to make payments on its
obligations. In addition, the cost of servicing debt obligations can be affected
by a change in international interest rates since the majority of these
obligations carry interest rates that are adjusted periodically based upon
international rates.
Another factor bearing on the ability of a country to repay Sovereign Debt
Obligations is the level of the country's international reserves. Fluctuations
in the level of these reserves can affect the amount of foreign exchange readily
available for external debt payments and, thus, could have a bearing on the
capacity of the country to make payments on its Sovereign Debt Obligations.
Expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, political, economic
or social instability or other similar developments, such as military coups,
have occurred in the past in countries in which the Fund will invest and could
adversely affect the Fund's assets should these conditions or events recur.
Foreign investment in certain Sovereign Debt Obligations is restricted or
controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls at times may limit
or preclude foreign investment in certain Sovereign Debt Obligations and
increase the costs and expenses of the Fund. Certain countries in which the Fund
will invest require governmental approval prior to investment by foreign
persons, limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular
issuer, limit the investment by foreign persons only to a specific class of
securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than the classes
available for purchase by domiciliaries of the countries and/or impose
additional taxes on foreign investors.
Certain countries other than those on which the Fund initially will focus
its investments may require governmental approval for the repatriation of
investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign
investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of
payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital
remittances. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to
grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well
as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments. Investing
in local markets may require the Fund to adopt special procedures, seek local
government approvals or take other actions, each of which may involve additional
costs to the Fund.
Discount Obligations. (Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund) A
significant portion of the Fund's investments (including most Brady Bonds) may
be in (i) securities which were initially issued at a discount from their face
value (collectively, "Discount Obligations") and (ii) securities purchased by
the Fund at a price less than their stated face amount or, in the case of
Discount Obligations, at a price less than their issue price plus the portion of
"original issue discount" previously accrued thereon, i.e., purchased at a
"market discount." The amount of original issue discount and/or market discount
on obligations purchased by the Fund may be significant, and accretion of market
discount together with original issue discount, will cause the Fund to realize
income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities.
To maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid
liability for Federal income taxes, the Fund may be required to distribute such
income accrued with respect to these securities and may have to dispose of
portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate
cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.
Simultaneous Investments. (All Funds) Investment decisions for each 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 a 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
Each 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 Funds have
adopted certain investment restrictions as fundamental policies and certain
other investment restrictions as non-fundamental policies, as described below.
Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund and Dreyfus Premier Strategic
Income Fund only. Each of these Funds has adopted investment restrictions
numbered 1 through 10 as fundamental policies, 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. Investment restrictions numbered 11 through 16 are
not fundamental policies and may be changed by vote of a majority of the
Company's Board members at any time. Neither Fund may:
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, 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. Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the securities
of issuers in any single industry, provided that there shall be no limitation on
the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
4. Invest in commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and sell
options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those related 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 or real estate investment trusts.
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
Company'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. 4, 6, 13 and 14 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, and options on futures contracts.
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
purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and the
deposit of assets in escrow in connection with writing covered put and call
options and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with respect
to options, forward contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures
contracts.
14. Purchase, sell or write puts, calls or combinations thereof, except as
described in the relevant 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. Purchase securities of other investment companies,
except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.
***
Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund only. The Fund has adopted investment
restrictions numbered 1 through 10 as fundamental policies, 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. Investment restrictions numbered
11 through 14 are not fundamental policies and may be changed by vote of a
majority of the Company's Board members at any time. The Fund may not:
1. Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than a bank) if such
purchase would cause more than 5% of the value of its total assets to be
invested in securities of such issuer, or invest more than 15% of its assets in
the obligations of any one bank, 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 such limitations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, based on rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its
assets in the obligations of any one bank, except as otherwise provided in such
rules.
2. Purchase the securities of any issuer if such purchase would cause the
Fund to hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.
This restriction applies only with respect to 75% of the Fund's assets.
3. Invest more than 25% of its assets in investments in any particular
industry or industries (including banking), provided that, when the Fund has
adopted a temporary defensive posture, there shall be no limitation on the
purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
4. Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil and gas interests, but
the Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate and
may purchase and sell securities issued by companies that invest or deal in real
estate.
5. Invest in commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and sell
futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures
contracts or indices.
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, 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 or
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
members.
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 permitted under the 1940 Act.
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. 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 delayed delivery
basis and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with respect
to options, futures contracts, including those relating to indices and options
on futures contracts or indices.
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. Purchase securities of other investment companies,
except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.
14. 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 of investment, a
later change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will not
constitute a violation of such restriction.
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
The Company's Board is responsible for the management and supervision of
each Fund. The Board approves all significant agreements with those companies
that furnish services to the Fund. These companies are as follows:
The Dreyfus Corporation............. Investment Adviser
Dreyfus Service Corporation......... Distributor
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc............... Transfer Agent
Mellon Bank, N.A.................... Custodian
Board members and officers of the Company, together with information as to
their principal business occupations during at least the last five years, are
shown below.
Board Members of the Company
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., a provider of various
outsourcing functions for small and medium sized companies, The Newark
Group, a privately held company providing a national network of paper
recovery facilities, paperboard mills, and paperboard converting plants,
and QuikCAT.com, Inc., a private company engaged in the development of
high speed movement, routing, storage and encryption of data across all
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 to December 31, 1994, he was a director of
Mellon Financial Corporation. He is 57 years old and his address is 200
Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
DAVID W. BURKE, Board Member. Board member of various funds in the Dreyfus
Family of Funds. Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, an
independent board within the United States Information Agency, from August
1994 to November 1998. From August 1994 to December 31, 1994, he was a
Consultant to the Manager, and from October 1990 to August 1994, he was
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Manager. From 1977
to 1990, he was involved in the management of national television news, as
Vice President and Executive Vice President of ABC News and subsequently
as President of CBS News. He is 63 years old and his address is 197 Eighth
Street, Charleston, Massachusetts 02109.
DIANE DUNST, Board Member. Since January 1992, President of Diane Dunst
Promotion, Inc., a full service promotion agency. From January 1989 to
January 1992, Director of Promotion Services, Lear's Magazine. From 1985
to January 1989, she was Sales Promotion Manager of Wile Magazine. She is
60 years old and her address is 1172 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10128.
ROSALIND GERSTEN JACOBS, Board Member. Marketing and Merchandising Consultant.
From 1977 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. She is 74 years old and her address is 19 East 72nd Street, New
York, New York 10021.
JAY I. MELTZER, Board Member. Physician engaged in private practice
specializing in internal medicine. He is a Clinical Professor of Medicine
at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons; an Adjunct
Clinical Professor of Medicine at Cornell Medical College; and a
Consultant in Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He
teaches in the section on Society and Medicine and he supervises a group
of medical ethics Fellows. He also writes a monthly commentary on medical
affairs for the Medical Herald. He is 71 years old and his address is 903
Park Avenue, New York, New York 10021.
DANIEL ROSE, Board Member. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rose
Associates, Inc., a New York based real estate development and management
firm. Pursuant to a Presidential appointment received in July 1994, Mr.
Rose serves as a Director and Vice Chairman of the Baltic-American
Enterprise Fund, which makes equity investments and loans and provides
technical business assistance to new business concerns in the Baltic
states. He is also President of The Harlem Educational Activities Fund,
Inc. and was Chairman of the Housing Committee of The Real Estate Board of
New York, Inc. He is 70 years old and his address is c/o Rose Associates,
Inc., 200 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016.
WARREN B. RUDMAN, Board Member. Since January 1993, Partner in the law firm
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Mr. Rudman also serves as a
director of Prime Succession, Inc., Collins & Aikman Corporation, Chubb
Corporation and the Raytheon Company, and as a trustee of Boston College.
He also serves as Chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence
Advisory Board (from January 1994 to February 1998, as Vice Chairman) and,
as a member of the Senior Advisory Board of the Institute of Politics of
the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. From January 1981
to January 1993, Mr. Rudman served as a United States Senator from the
State of New Hampshire. From January 1993 to December 1994, Mr. Rudman
served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. He is 69 years
old and his address is c/o Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, 1615
L Street, N.W., Suite 1300, Washington, D.C. 20036.
SANDER VANOCUR, Board Member. Since January 1992, Mr. Vanocur has been the
President of Old Owl Communications, a full-service communications firm.
From May 1995 to June 1996, he was a Professional in Residence at the
Freedom Forum in Arlington, VA, and, from January 1994 to May 1995, he
served as a Visiting Professional Scholar at the Freedom Forum First
Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. From November 1989 to November
1995, he was a Director of the Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer
Research Fund. From June 1977 to December 1991, he was a Senior
Correspondent of ABC News and, from October 1986 to December 1991, he was
Anchor of the ABC News program "Business World," a weekly business program
on the ABC television network. Mr. Vanocur joined ABC News in 1977. He is
71 years old and his address is 2626 Sycamore Canyon, Santa Barbara,
California 93108.
The Company has a standing nominating committee comprised of its Board
members who are not "interested persons" of the Company, 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 Company for election to the
Company's Board.
The Company typically pays its Board members its allocated portion
(allocated as to each Fund) of an annual retainer of $25,000 and a fee of $4,000
per meeting ($500 per telephone meeting) attended for the Company and eight
other funds (comprised of 9 portfolios) in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, and
reimburses them for their expenses. The Chairman of the Board receives an
additional 25% of such compensation. Emeritus Board members, if any, 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 amount of compensation paid
to each Board member by the Company for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999,
and by all funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which such person is a Board
member (the number of portfolios of such funds is set forth in parenthesis next
to each Board member's total compensation)* for the year ended December 31,
1999, were as follows:
Total Compensation From
Aggregate Compensation Company and Fund Complex
Name of Board Member From Company** Paid to Board Member
Joseph S. DiMartino $6,250 $642,177 (189)
David W. Burke $5,000 $228,500 (59)
Diane Dunst $4,500 $ 37,750 (16)
Rosalind Gersten $5,000 $ 92,250 (44)
Jacobs
Jay I. Meltzer $4,500 $ 37,750 (16)
Daniel Rose $4,500 $ 78,625 (31)
Warren B. Rudman $4,500 $ 68,000 (25)
Sander Vanocur $5,000 $ 78,625 (31)
--------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
* Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment
companies in the Fund Complex, including the Funds, for which the Board
member serves.
** Amount does not include reimbursed expenses for attending Board meetings,
which amounted to $887 for Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and $573 for
Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund.
Officers of the Company
STEPHEN E. CANTER, President. President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Investment Officer and a director of the Manager, and an officer of 92
other investment companies (comprised of 181 portfolios) managed by the
Manager. Mr. Canter also is a Director or 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 55 years
old.
JOSEPH CONNOLLY, Vice President and Treasurer. Director-Mutual Fund Accounting
of the Manager, and an officer of 105 other investment companies
(comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 43 years old.
MARK N. JACOBS, Vice President. Vice President and General Counsel of the
Manager, and an officer of 105 other investment companies (comprised of
194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 54 years old.
JOHN B. HAMMALIAN, Secretary. Associate General Counsel of the Manager, and an
officer of 35 other investment companies (comprised of 40 portfolios)
managed by the Manager. He is 37 years old.
STEVEN F. NEWMAN, Assistant Secretary. Associate General Counsel of the
Manager, and an officer of 105 other investment companies (comprised of
194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 51 years old.
MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG, Assistant Secretary. Associate General Counsel of the
Manager, and an officer of 92 other investment companies (comprised of 181
portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 40 years old.
WILLIAM MCDOWELL, Assistant Treasurer. Senior Accounting Manager-Taxable Fixed
Income of the Manager, and an officer of 29 other investment companies
(comprised of 70 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 41 years old.
JAMES WINDELS, Assistant Treasurer. Senior Treasury Manager of the Manager, and
an officer of 24 other investment companies (comprised of 84 portfolios)
managed by the Manager. He is 42 years old.
The address of each officer of the Company is 200 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10166.
The Company's Board members and officers, as a group, owned less than 1%
of each Fund's voting securities outstanding on December 15, 2000.
As of December 15, 2000, the following shareholders were known by the
Company to own of record 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the
indicated Fund: Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund: Boston Safe Deposit and Trust
Company TTEE, As Agent--Omnibus Account, 135 Santilli Hwy. Everett MA 02149
(5.81% Class A shares); MLPF & S, for the sole benefit of its Customers, 4800
Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl.3, Jacksonville, FL 32246 (18.33% Class B shares); First
Clearing Corporation, FCC as Custodian, 10960 Wilshire Blvd. #2150, Los Angeles,
CA 90024 (6.69% Class B shares); MLPF & S for the sole benefit of its Customers,
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl.3, Jacksonville, FL 32246 (19.72% Class C shares); Dean
Witter FBO, W B Lonergan & M M Lonergan TTEES, P.O. Box 250, New York, NY 10008
(11.85% Class C shares); NFSC FEBO #AFS - 379930, The Hunter Family Trust, John
C Hunter III, 1508 Highland Valley Cir, Chesterfield, MO 63005 ( 8.77% Class C
shares); Circle Trust Co. Cust, FBO Kenmore Tool & Engineering Inc., Profit
Sharing Plan, Metro Center, 1 Station Pl, Stamford, CT 06902 (94.81% Class R
shares); Premier Mutual Fund Services Inc., c/o Funds Distributor Inc., 60 State
St., Ste. 1300, Boston, MA, 02109 (5.81% Class R shares); Dreyfus Premier High
Yield Securities Fund: Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Reinvest ---------------------
Account 101 Montgomery St ., San Francisco, CA 94104 (17.55% Class A shares);
Chares Schwab & Co. Inc., Cash Account, 101 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA
94104 (11.36% Class A shares); PaineWebber for the Benefit of E P Harrison & M K
Harrison TTEES, FBO E P & M K Harrison TR A, 3111 Padaro Lane, Carpinteria CA
93103 (18.82% Class B shares); MLPF & S for the sole benefit of its Customers,
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3, Jacksonville, FL 32246 (18.33% Class B shares);
MLPF & S for the sole benefit of its Customers, 4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3,
Jacksonville, FL 32246 (42.50% Class C shares); Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette
Securities Corporation Inc. P.O. Box 2052, Jersey City, NJ 07303 (6.79% Class C
shares); PaineWebber FBO Betty J Carney TTEE, Ann L Mccaslin TTEE, UW Wallace E
Zimmerman, 3216 Walma Dr., Orchard Lake, MI 48324 (6.69% Class C shares); A G
Edwards & Sons Cust FBO James W Forrester, P.O. Box 162, Georgetown, SC 29442
(93.63% Class T shares).
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Investment Adviser. 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 global multibank financial 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 largest bank holding companies in the United States
based on total assets.
The Manager provides management services pursuant to the Management
Agreement (the "Agreement") between the Company and the Manager. As to each
Fund, the Agreement is subject to annual approval by (i) the Company's Board or
(ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting
securities of such 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 Company or the Manager, by vote cast in person
at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. As to each Fund,
the Agreement is terminable without penalty, on 60 days' notice, by the
Company's Board or by vote of the holders of a majority of such Fund's shares,
or, on not less than 90 days' notice, by the Manager. The Agreement will
terminate automatically, as to the relevant Fund, 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; Ronald P. O'Hanley III, Vice Chairman; J. David
Officer, Vice Chairman and a director; William T. Sandalls, Jr., Executive Vice
President; Stephen R. Byers, Senior Vice President; Patrice M. Kozlowski, Senior
Vice President--Corporate Affairs; Mark N. Jacobs, Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary; Diane P. Durnin, Vice President--Product Development;
Mary Beth Leibig, Vice President--Human Resources; Ray Van Cott, Vice
President--Information Systems; Theodore A. Schachar, Vice President--Tax; Wendy
Strutt, Vice President; William H. Maresca, Controller; James Bitetto, Assistant
Secretary; Steven F. Newman, Assistant Secretary; and Mandell L. Berman, Burton
Borgelt, Steven G. Elliott, Martin G. McGuinn, Richard W. Sabo, and Richard F.
Syron, directors.
The Manager manages each Fund's investments in accordance with the stated
policies of such Fund, subject to the approval of the Company's Board. The
Manager is responsible for investment decisions, and provides the Funds with
portfolio managers who are authorized by the Board to execute purchases and
sales of securities. Michael Hoeh, Roger King, John Koerber, and Gerald E.
Thunelius are each Fund's portfolio managers. William Howarth also is a
portfolio manager of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier
Strategic Income Fund. The Manager also maintains a research department with a
professional staff of portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide
research services for each Fund as well as for other funds advised by the
Manager.
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 a Fund. The Manager has informed the Company 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 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 of Ethics 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 preclearance and disclosure procedures of the
Code of Ethics 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 Funds, and
furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, accounting, data
processing, bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required
services to the Company. The Manager may pay the Distributor for shareholder
services from the Manager's own assets, including past profits but not including
the management fees paid by the Funds. The Distributor may use part or all of
such payments to pay Service Agents (as defined below) 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.
All expenses incurred in the operation of the Company are borne by the
Company, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The expenses
borne by the Company include: organizational costs, taxes, interest, loan
commitment fees, interest 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 any of its 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 maintaining the Company's existence, costs of independent
pricing services, costs attributable to investor services (including, without
limitation, telephone and personnel expenses), costs of preparing and printing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes
and for distribution to existing shareholders, costs of shareholders' reports
and meetings, and any extraordinary expenses. Also, Class B and Class C shares
of each Fund, and Class T shares of Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund,
are subject to an annual distribution fee, and Class A, Class B and Class C
shares of each Fund, and Class T shares of Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities
Fund, are subject to an annual service fee. See "Distribution Plan and
Shareholder Services Plan." Expenses attributable to a particular Fund are
charged against the assets of that Fund; other expenses of the Company are
allocated among the Funds on the basis determined by the Board, including, but
not limited to, proportionately in relation to the net assets of each Fund.
As compensation for the Manager's services to the Company, the Company has
agreed to pay the Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 0.65%
of the value of the average daily net assets of Dreyfus Premier High Yield
Securities Fund and Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund, and 0.60% of the
value of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund's average daily net assets. For the
fiscal years ended October 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, the management fees payable
by Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities
Fund, the amounts waived by the Manager, and the actual net fees paid by the
Fund, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of Fund Management Fee Payable Reduction in Fee Net Fee Paid
---------------- ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dreyfus Premier $1,670,431 $1,726,911 $1,658,341 $0 $0 $0 $1,670,431 $1,726,911 $1,658,341
Core Bond Fund
Dreyfus Premier $425,180 $1,188,069 $999,216 $279,698 $0 $0 $145,492 $1,188,069 $999,216
High Yield
Securities Fund
</TABLE>
As Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund was not in existence on October
31, 1999, no information on the management fees paid by the Fund to Dreyfus is
available.
As to each Fund, the Manager has agreed that if in any fiscal year the
aggregate expenses of the Fund, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on
borrowings and (with the prior written consent of the necessary state securities
commissions) extraordinary expenses, but including the management 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 Agreement, or
the Manager will bear, such excess expense. 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 aggregate of the fees payable to the Manager is not subject to
reduction as the value of a Fund's net assets increases.
Distributor. The Distributor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager,
located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as each Fund's
distributor on a best efforts basis pursuant to an agreement with the Company
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 eligible 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 a Fund, including past profits or
any other source available to it.
The Distributor, at its expense, may provide promotional incentives to
dealers that sell shares of funds advised by the Manager which are sold with a
sales load, such as the Funds. In some instances, those incentives may be
offered only to certain dealers who have sold or may sell significant amounts of
shares.
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 Company's transfer and
dividend disbursing agent. Under a transfer agency agreement with the Company,
the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of shareholder account records
for each 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 each 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 investments of
each Fund. Under a custody agreement with the Company, the Custodian holds each
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
Funds' assets held in custody and receives certain securities transactions
charges.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
General. Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, and Class T
shares (Class T shares are offered by Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund
only) may be purchased only by clients of certain financial institutions (which
may include banks), securities dealers ("Selected Dealers") and other industry
professionals (collectively, "Service Agents"), except that full-time or
part-time employees 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 Company's Board, or the spouse or minor child of any of
the foregoing may purchase Class A shares directly through the Distributor.
Subsequent purchases may be sent directly to the Transfer Agent or your Service
Agent.
Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund
each offer Class R shares to institutional investors acting for themselves or in
a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity for qualified or
non-qualified employee benefit plans, including pension, profit-sharing,
SEP-IRAs and other deferred compensation plans, whether established by
corporations, partnerships, non-profit entities or state and local governments
("Retirement Plans"). The term "Retirement Plans" does not include IRAs or IRA
"Rollover Accounts." Class R shares may be purchased for a Retirement Plan only
by a custodian, trustee, investment manager or other entity authorized to act on
behalf of such Retirement Plan. Institutions effecting transactions in Class R
shares for the accounts of their clients may charge their clients direct fees in
connection with such transactions.
When purchasing Fund shares, you must specify which Class is being
purchased. Stock certificates are issued only upon your written request. No
certificates are issued for fractional shares. The Company reserves the right to
reject any purchase order.
Service Agents may receive different levels of compensation for selling
different Classes of shares. Management understands that some Service Agents may
impose certain conditions on their clients which are different from those
described in the relevant Fund's Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority,
may charge their clients direct fees. You should consult your Service Agent in
this regard.
The minimum initial investment is $1,000. 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, 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. The Company 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 Company. The Company reserves the right to vary further
the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time.
The Code imposes various limitations on the amount that may be contributed
to certain Retirement Plans. These limitations apply with respect to
participants at the plan level and, therefore, do not directly affect the amount
that may be invested in a Fund by a Retirement Plan. Participants and plan
sponsors should consult their tax advisers for details.
Fund shares also may be purchased through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset
Builder(R), Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll
Savings Plan 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.
Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis. 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,
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
of each Class is computed by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets
represented by such Class (i.e., the value of its assets less liabilities) by
the total number of shares of such Class outstanding. For information regarding
the methods employed in valuing the Funds' investments, see "Determination of
Net Asset Value."
If an order is received in proper form by the Transfer Agent or other
entity authorized to receive orders on behalf of the Fund by the close of
trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New
York time) on a business day, Fund shares will be purchased at the public
offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New
York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, Fund shares will be purchased at the
public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the
New York Stock Exchange on the next business day, except where shares are
purchased through a dealer as provided below.
Orders for the purchase of Fund shares received by dealers by the close of
trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on any business day and
transmitted to the Distributor or its designee by the close of its business day
(normally 5:15 p.m., New York time) will be based on the public offering price
per share determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York
Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the orders will be based on the next
determined public offering price. It is the dealer's responsibility to transmit
orders so that they will be received by the Distributor or its designee before
the close of its business day. 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.
Class A Shares. The public offering price for Class A shares of Dreyfus
Premier High Yield Securities Fund is the net asset value per share of that
Class plus, except for shareholders beneficially owning Class A shares of
Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund on February 29, 2000, a sales load as
shown below:
Total Sales Load
Class A Shares
--------------------- ----------------
As a % As a % Dealers'
Amount of Transaction offering net asset Reallowance
--------------------- price per value per as a % of
share share offering price
--------- --------- ----------------
Less than $50,000......... 5.75 6.10 5.00
$50,000 to less than $100,000 4.50 4.70 3.75
$100,000 to less than 3.50 3.60 2.75
$250,000..................
$250,000 to less than 2.50 2.60 2.25
$500,000..................
$500,000 to less than 2.00 2.00 1.75
$1,000,000................
$1,000,000 or more........ -0- -0- -0-
The public offering price for Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond
Fund and Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund is the net asset value per share
of that Class plus, except for shareholders beneficially owning Class A shares
of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund on February 29, 2000, a sales load as shown
below:
Total Sales Load
Class A Shares
--------------------- ----------------
As a % As a % Dealers'
Amount of Transaction offering net asset Reallowance
--------------------- price per value per as a % of
share share offering price
--------- --------- ----------------
Less than $50,000......... 4.50 4.70 4.25
$50,000 to less than 4.00 4.20 3.75
$100,000..................
$100,000 to less than 3.00 3.10 2.75
$250,000..................
$250,000 to less than 2.50 2.60 2.25
$500,000..................
$500,000 to less than 2.00 2.00 1.75
$1,000,000................
$1,000,000 or more........ -0- -0- -0-
For shareholders of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier
High Yield Securities Fund who beneficially owned Class A shares of the Fund on
February 29, 2000, the public offering price for Class A shares of such Fund is
the net asset value per share of that Class.
A CDSC of 1% will be assessed at the time of redemption of Class A shares
purchased without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of at least
$1,000,000 and redeemed within one year of purchase. This provision does not
apply to a shareholder who owned Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond
Fund or Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund on February 29, 2000. The
Distributor may pay Service Agents an amount up to 1% of the net asset value of
Class A shares purchased by their clients that are subject to a CDSC.
The scale of sales loads applies to purchases of Class A shares made by
any "purchaser," which term includes an individual and/or spouse purchasing
securities for his, her or their own account or for the account of any minor
children, or a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing securities for a single
trust estate or a single fiduciary account trust estate or a single fiduciary
account (including a pension, profit-sharing, or other employee benefit trust
created pursuant to a plan qualified under Section 401 of the Code) although
more than one beneficiary is involved; or a group of accounts established by or
on behalf of the employees of an employer or affiliated employers pursuant to an
employee benefit plan or other program (including accounts established pursuant
to Sections 403(b), 408(k), and 457 of the Code); or an organized group which
has been in existence for more than six months, provided that it is not
organized for the purpose of buying redeemable securities of a registered
investment company and provided that the purchases are made through a central
administration or a single dealer, or by other means which result in economy of
sales effort or expense.
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering
price of each Fund's Class A shares. The example assumes a purchase of Class A
shares of the Fund aggregating less than $50,000, subject to the schedule of
sales charges set forth above at a price based upon a net asset value of $12.50
for Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund's Class A shares and, for each other
Fund, the net asset value of the Fund's Class A shares as of October 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dreyfus
Dreyfus Premier Dreyfus
Premier High Premier
Core Bond Yield Strategic
Fund Securities Fund Income Fund
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value per Share $14.31 $11.52 $12.50
Per Share Sales Charge
Class A - 5.75% of offering price
(6.10% of net asset value per share) -- $ 0.70 --
Class A - 4.5% of offering price $ 0.67 -- $ 0.66
------- ------- -------
(4.70% of net asset value per share)
Per Share Offering Price to the Public $14.98 $12.22 $13.16
</TABLE>
Full-time employees of NASD member firms and full-time employees of other
financial institutions which have entered into an agreement with the Distributor
pertaining to the sale of Fund shares (or which otherwise have a brokerage
related or clearing arrangement with an NASD member firm or financial
institution with respect to the sale of such shares) may purchase Class A shares
for themselves directly or pursuant to an employee benefit plan or other
program, or for their spouses or minor children, at net asset value, provided
they have furnished the Distributor with such information as it may request from
time to time in order to verify eligibility for this privilege. This privilege
also applies to full-time employees of financial institutions affiliated with
NASD member firms whose full-time employees are eligible to purchase Class A
shares at net asset value. In addition, Class A shares are offered at net asset
value to 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 Company's Board, or the spouse
or minor child of any of the foregoing.
Class A shares are offered at net asset value without a sales load to
employees participating in Eligible Benefit Plans. Class A shares also may be
purchased (including by exchange) at net asset value without a sales load for
Dreyfus-sponsored IRA "Rollover Accounts" with the distribution proceeds from a
qualified retirement plan or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided, at
the time of such distribution, such qualified retirement plan or
Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan (a) met the requirements of an Eligible Benefit
Plan and all or a portion of such plan's assets were invested in funds in the
Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds or the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or certain funds
advised by Founders Asset Management LLC, an affiliate of the Manager
("Founders"), or certain other products made available by the Distributor to
such plans, or (b) invested all of its assets in certain funds in the Dreyfus
Premier Family of Funds, the Dreyfus Family of Funds, certain funds advised by
Founders, or certain other products made available by the Distributor to such
plans.
Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value through certain
broker-dealers and other financial institutions which have entered into an
agreement with the Distributor, which includes a requirement that such shares be
sold for the benefit of clients participating in a "wrap account" or a similar
program under which such clients pay a fee to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution.
Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier
Strategic Income Fund also may be purchased at net asset value, subject to
appropriate documentation, through a broker-dealer or other financial
institution with the proceeds from the redemption of shares of a registered
open-end management investment company not managed by the Manager or its
affiliates. The purchase of Class A shares of the Fund must be made within 60
days of such redemption and the shares redeemed must have been subject to an
initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge.
Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value, subject to
appropriate documentation, by (i) qualified separate accounts maintained by an
insurance company pursuant to the laws of any State or territory of the United
States, (ii) a State, county or city or instrumentality thereof, (iii) a
charitable organization (as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code) investing
$50,000 or more in Fund shares, and (iv) a charitable remainder trust (as
defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code).
Class B Shares. The public offering price for Class B shares is the net
asset value per share of that Class. No initial sales charge is imposed at the
time of purchase. A CDSC is imposed, however, on certain redemptions of Class B
shares as described in the relevant Fund's Prospectus and in this Statement of
Additional Information under "How to Redeem Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge--Class B Shares." The Distributor compensates certain Service Agents for
selling Class B shares at the time of purchase from its own assets. The proceeds
of the CDSC and the Distribution Plan fee, in part, are used to defray these
expenses.
Approximately six years after the date of purchase, Class B shares
automatically will convert to Class A shares, based on the relative net asset
values for shares of each such Class. Class B shares that have been acquired
through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be converted on a
pro rata basis together with other Class B shares, in the proportion that a
shareholder's Class B shares converting to Class A shares bears to the total
Class B shares not acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions.
Class C Shares. The public offering price for Class C shares is the net
asset value per share of that Class. No initial sales charge is imposed at the
time of purchase. A CDSC is imposed, however, on redemptions of Class C shares
made within the first year of purchase. See "Class B Shares" above and "How to
Redeem Shares."
Class R Shares. The public offering for Class R shares is
--------------
the net asset value per share of that Class.
Class T Shares. (Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund only) The
public offering price for Class T shares of the Fund is the net asset value per
share of that Class plus a sales load as shown below:
Total Sales Load
Class T Shares
---------------------- -----------
As a % As a % of Dealers'
Amount of Transaction of net Reallowance
offering asset as a % of
price value offering
per share per share price
--------- ---------- -----------
Less than $50,000......... 4.50 4.70 4.00
$50,000 to less than 4.00 4.20 3.50
$100,000..................
$100,000 to less than 3.00 3.10 2.50
$250,000..................
$250,000 to less than 2.00 2.00 1.75
$500,000..................
$500,000 to less than 1.50 1.50 1.25
$1,000,000................
$1,000,000 or more........ -0- -0- -0-
There is no initial sales charge on purchases of $1,000,000 or more of
Class T shares. However, if you purchase Class T shares without an initial sales
charge as part of an investment of at least $1,000,000 and redeem all or a
portion of those shares within one year of purchase, a CDSC of 1% will be
assessed at the time of redemption. The Distributor may pay Service Agents an
amount up to 1% of the net asset value of Class T shares purchased by their
clients that are subject to a CDSC. Because the expenses associated with Class A
shares will be lower than those associated with Class T shares, purchasers
investing $1,000,000 or more in a Fund generally will find it beneficial to
purchase Class A shares rather than Class T shares.
The scale of sales loads applies to purchases of Class T shares made by
any "purchaser," as defined above under "Class A Shares."
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering
price of Class T shares of the Fund. The example assumes a purchase of Class T
shares of the Fund aggregating less than $50,000, subject to the schedule of
sales charges set forth above at a price based upon the net asset value of Class
A shares as of October 31, 1999:
Net Asset Value per Share $11.52
Per Share Sales Charge
Class T - 4.50% of offering price $ 0.54
(4.70% of net asset value per share) -------
Per Share Offering Price to the $12.06
Public
Class T shares are offered at net asset value without a sales load to
employees participating in Eligible Benefit Plans. Class T shares also may be
purchased (including by exchange) at net asset value without a sales load for
Dreyfus-sponsored IRA "Rollover Accounts" with the distribution proceeds from a
qualified retirement plan or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided, at
the time of such distribution, such qualified retirement plan or
Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan (a) met the requirements of an Eligible Benefit
Plan and all or a portion of such plan's assets were invested in funds in the
Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds, the Dreyfus Family of Funds, certain funds
advised by Founders, or certain other products made available by the Distributor
to such plans, or (b) invested all of its assets in certain funds in the Dreyfus
Premier Family of Funds, the Dreyfus Family of Funds, certain funds advised by
Founders, or certain other products made available by the Distributor to such
plans.
Class T shares also may be purchased at net asset value, subject to
appropriate documentation, through a broker-dealer or other financial
institution with the proceeds from the redemption of shares of a registered
open-end management investment company not managed by the Manager or its
affiliates. The purchase of Class T shares must be made within 60 days of such
redemption and the shares redeemed must have been subject to an initial sales
charge or a contingent deferred sales charge.
Right of Accumulation--Class A or Class T Shares. Reduced sales loads
apply to any purchase of Class A and Class T shares, shares of other funds in
the Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds which are sold with a sales load, shares of
certain other funds advised by the Manager or Founders which are sold with a
sales load and shares acquired by a previous exchange of such shares
(hereinafter referred to as "Eligible Funds"), by you and any related
"purchaser" as defined above, where the aggregate investment, including such
purchase, is $50,000 or more. If, for example, you previously purchased and
still hold Class A shares of a Fund or Class T shares of Dreyfus Premier High
Yield Securities Fund, or shares of any other Eligible Fund, or combination
thereof, with an aggregate current market value of $40,000 and subsequently
purchase Class A or Class T shares having a current value of $20,000, the sales
load applicable to the subsequent purchase would be reduced to 4.00% (4.50% in
the case of Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund) of the offering price in
the case of Class A shares, or 4.00% of the offering price in the case of Class
T shares. All present holdings of Eligible Funds may be combined to determine
the current offering price of the aggregate investment in ascertaining the sales
load applicable to each subsequent purchase.
To qualify at the time of purchase you or your Service Agent must notify
the Distributor if orders are made by wire, or the Transfer Agent if orders are
made by mail. The reduced sales load is subject to confirmation of your holdings
through a check of appropriate records.
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 the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, the initial payment for
purchase of 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.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
Class B, Class C and Class T shares are subject to a Distribution Plan,
and Class A, Class B, Class C and Class T shares are subject to a Shareholder
Services Plan.
Distribution Plan. Rule 12b-1 (the "Rule") adopted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act, provides, among other things, that an
investment company may bear expenses of distributing its shares only pursuant to
a plan adopted in accordance with the Rule. The Company's Board has adopted such
a plan (the "Distribution Plan") with respect to Class B and Class C shares of
each Fund, and Class T shares of Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund,
pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for distributing such shares at
an annual rate of 0.50% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class B
and Class C shares for Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier
Strategic Income Fund and 0.75% of the value of the average daily net assets for
Class B and Class C shares of Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund, and
0.25% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class T shares of Dreyfus
Premier High Yield Securities Fund. The Company's Board believes that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Distribution Plan will benefit each Fund and the
holders of its Class B, Class C, and Class T shares.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Distribution Plan,
and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the
Board for its review. In addition, the Distribution Plan provides that it may
not be amended to increase materially the costs which holders of Class B, Class
C, or Class T shares may bear pursuant to the Distribution Plan without the
approval of the holders of such shares and that other material amendments of the
Distribution 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 Company and
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the
Distribution Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the
Distribution Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
considering such amendments. The Distribution Plan is subject to annual approval
by such vote of the Board cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on the Distribution Plan. As to the relevant Class of shares of the Fund,
the Distribution Plan may be terminated 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 Distribution Plan or in any
agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution Plan or by vote of
the holders of a majority of such Class of shares.
The Distribution Plan was not in effect with respect to any Fund as of
October 31, 1999.
Shareholder Services Plan. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services
Plan as to Class A, Class B, and Class C shares of each Fund, and Class T shares
of Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund. Under the Plan, the Company pays
the Distributor for the provision of certain services to the holders of such
shares a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the value of the average daily net
assets of each share class. The services provided may include personal services
relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries
regarding a Fund, and providing reports and other information, and services
related to the maintenance of such shareholder accounts. Under the Shareholder
Services Plan, the Distributor may make payments to Service Agents in respect of
these services.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Shareholder Services
Plan (as to each relevant Class), and the purposes for which such expenditures
were incurred, must be made to the Board for its review. In addition, the
Shareholder Services Plan provides that material amendments must be approved by
the Company's Board, and by the Board members who are not "interested persons"
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company 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. As to each Fund, 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 Shareholder Services Plan. The Shareholder
Services Plan is terminable with respect to each Fund at any time by vote of a
majority of the Board members who are not "interested persons" and who 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 October 31, 1999, Class A shares of Dreyfus
Premier Core Bond Fund paid $690,976, and Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier High
Yield Securities Fund paid $384,314, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
The Shareholder Services Plan was not in effect as to the other share classes of
these Funds as of October 31, 1999. All of these amounts paid reflect payments
made to Premier Mutual Fund Services Inc., the Fund's distributor during the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1999.
As Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund was not in existence on October
31, 1999, no information is available on fees paid under the Plan for the Fund.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
General. The Fund ordinarily will make payment for all shares redeemed
within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption request in
proper form, except as provided by the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. However, if you have purchased Fund shares by check, by Dreyfus
TeleTransfer Privilege or through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder(R), and
subsequently submit a written redemption request to the Transfer Agent, the Fund
may delay sending the redemption proceeds for up to eight business days after
the purchase of such shares. In addition, the Fund will reject requests to
redeem shares by wire or telephone or pursuant to the Dreyfus TeleTransfer
Privilege, for a period of up to eight business days after receipt by the
Transfer Agent of the purchase check, the Dreyfus TeleTransfer purchase or the
Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder(R) order against which such redemption is
requested. These procedures will not apply if your shares were purchased by wire
payment, or if you otherwise have a sufficient collected balance in your account
to cover the redemption request. Fund shares may not be redeemed until the
Transfer Agent has received your Account Application.
Redemption Fee. (Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund only) Prior to
March 1, 2000, the Fund deducted a redemption fee equal to 1% of the net asset
value of Fund shares redeemed (including redemptions through use of the Fund
Exchanges service) where the redemption or exchange occurred less than six
months following the issuance of such shares. For purposes of computing the
six-month period, any issuance of Fund shares during a month was deemed to occur
on the first day of such month. The redemption fee was deducted from redemption
proceeds and retained by the Fund. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999,
redemption fees retained by Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund amounted
to $84,838.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares. A CDSC is imposed on any
redemption of Class B shares which reduces the current net asset value of your
Class B shares to an amount which is lower than the dollar amount of all
payments by you for the purchase of Class B shares of the Fund held by you at
the time of redemption. No CDSC will be imposed to the extent that the net asset
value of the Class B shares redeemed does not exceed (i) the current net asset
value of Class B shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital
gain distributions, plus (ii) increases in the net asset value of your Class B
shares above the dollar amount of all your payments for the purchase of Class B
shares held by you at the time of redemption.
If the aggregate value of Class B shares redeemed has declined below their
original cost as a result of the Fund's performance, a CDSC may be applied to
the then-current net asset value rather than the purchase price.
In circumstances where the CDSC is imposed, the amount of the charge will
depend on the number of years for the time you purchased the Class B shares
until the time of redemption of such shares. Solely for purposes of determining
the number of years from the time of any payment for the purchase of Class B
shares, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been
made on the first day of the month. The Distributor receives the proceeds from
the CDSC imposed on the redemption of Class B shares.
The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC for Class B shares:
CDSC as a % of Amount
Year Since Invested or
Purchase Payment Redemption
Was Made Proceeds
First.......................... 4.00
Second......................... 4.00
Third.......................... 3.00
Fourth......................... 3.00
Fifth.......................... 2.00
Sixth.......................... 1.00
In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the
calculation will be made in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate.
It will be assumed that the redemption is made first of amounts representing
shares acquired pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends and distributions;
then of amounts representing the increase in net asset value of Class B shares
above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class B shares made
during the preceding six years; and finally, of amounts representing the cost of
shares held for the longest period of time.
For example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per share for
a cost of $1,000. Subsequently, the shareholder acquired five additional shares
through dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase the
investor decided to redeem $500 of the investment. Assuming at the time of the
redemption the net asset value had appreciated to $12 per share, the value of
the investor's shares would be $1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC
would not be applied to the value of the reinvested dividend shares and the
amount which represents appreciation ($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500
redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260) would be charged at a rate of 4% (the
applicable rate in the second year after purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class C Shares. A CDSC of 1% is imposed
on any redemption of Class C shares within one year of the date of purchase. The
basis for calculating the payment of any such CDSC will be the method used in
calculating the CDSC for Class B shares. See "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge--Class B Shares" above. The Distributor receives the proceeds from the
CDSC imposed on the redemption of Class C shares.
Waiver of CDSC. The CDSC may be waived in connection with (a) redemptions
made within one year after the death or disability, as defined in Section
72(m)(7) of the Code, of the shareholder, (b) redemptions by employees
participating in Eligible Benefit Plans, (c) redemptions as a result of a
combination of any investment company with the Fund by merger, acquisition of
assets or otherwise, (d) a distribution following retirement under a
tax-deferred retirement plan or upon attaining age 70 1/2 in the case of an IRA
or Keogh plan or custodial account pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code, and
(e) redemptions pursuant to the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, as described below.
If the Company's Board determines to discontinue the waiver of the CDSC, the
disclosure herein will be revised appropriately. Any Fund shares subject to a
CDSC which were purchased prior to the termination of such waiver will have the
CDSC waived as provided in the Fund's Prospectus or this Statement of Additional
Information at the time of the purchase of such shares.
To qualify for a waiver of the CDSC, at the time of redemption you must
notify the Transfer Agent or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor. Any
such qualification is subject to confirmation of your entitlement.
Redemption Through a Selected Dealer. If you are a customer of a Selected
Dealer, you may make redemption requests to your Selected Dealer. If the
Selected Dealer transmits the redemption request so that it is received by the
Transfer Agent prior to the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock
Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time), the redemption request will be
effective on that day. If a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent
after the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, the
redemption request will be effective on the next business day. It is the
responsibility of the Selected Dealer to transmit a request so that it is
received in a timely manner. The proceeds of the redemption are credited to your
account with the Selected Dealer. See "How to Buy Shares" for a discussion of
additional conditions or fees that may be imposed upon redemption.
In addition, the Distributor or its designee will accept orders from
Selected Dealers with which the Distributor has sales agreements for the
repurchase of shares held by shareholders. Repurchase orders received by dealers
by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on any
business day and transmitted to the Distributor or its designee prior to the
close of its business day (normally 5:15 p.m., New York time) are effected at
the price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York
Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the shares will be redeemed at the next
determined net asset value. It is the responsibility of the Selected Dealer to
transmit orders on a timely basis. The Selected Dealer may charge the
shareholder a fee for executing the order. This repurchase arrangement is
discretionary and may be withdrawn at any time.
Reinvestment Privilege. Upon written request, you may reinvest up to the
number of Class A, Class B or Class T shares you have redeemed, within 45 days
of redemption, at the then-prevailing net asset value without a sales load, or
reinstate your account for the purpose of exercising Fund Exchanges. Upon
reinstatement, with respect to Class B shares, or Class A or Class T shares if
such shares were subject to a CDSC, your account will be credited with an amount
equal to the CDSC previously paid upon redemption of the shares reinvested. The
Reinvestment Privilege may be exercised only once.
Wire Redemption Privilege. By using this Privilege (available only to
shareholders of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund or Dreyfus Premier High Yield
Securities Fund beneficially owning Class A shares on February 29, 2000), you
authorize the Transfer Agent to act on wire, telephone or letter redemption
instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be you, or a
representative of your Service Agent, and reasonably believed by the Transfer
Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the Company will initiate payment for shares
redeemed pursuant to this Privilege on the next business day after receipt by
the Transfer Agent of the redemption request in proper form. Redemption proceeds
($1,000 minimum) will be transferred by Federal Reserve wire only to the
commercial bank account you have specified 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 you 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 "Share 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 Automated Clearing House ("ACH") member may be designated. 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 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."
Share 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.
Redemption Commitment. The Company has committed itself to pay in cash all
redemption requests by any shareholder of record of a Fund, limited in amount
during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of such 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 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
securities are 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 relevant 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.
Small Account Fee. To offset the relatively higher costs of servicing
smaller accounts, the Fund will charge regular accounts with balances below
$2,000 an annual fee of $12. The valuation of accounts and the deductions are
expected to take place during the last four months of each year. The fee will be
waived for any investor whose aggregate Dreyfus mutual fund investments total at
least $24,000, and will not apply to IRA accounts or to accounts participating
in automatic investment programs or opened through a securities dealer, bank or
other financial institution, or to other fiduciary accounts.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
Fund Exchanges. You may purchase, in exchange for shares of a Fund, shares
of certain other funds managed or administered by the Manager or Founders, to
the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence. Shares
of a Fund may be exchanged for shares of the same Class of such other funds,
except that Class T shares of Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund may be
exchanged for Class A shares of the fixed income funds in the Dreyfus Premier
Family of Funds. Shares of other funds (including the same Class of other funds,
or Class A shares of such funds in the case of Class T shares) 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.
E. Shares of funds subject to a CDSC exchanged for shares of another
fund will be subject to the higher applicable CDSC of the two funds
and, for purposes of calculating CDSC rates and conversion periods,
if any, will be deemed to have been held since the date the shares
being exchanged initially purchased.
To accomplish an exchange under item D above, you or, with respect to the
Dreyfus Premier Funds, your Service Agent acting on your behalf, must notify the
Transfer Agent of their prior ownership of fund shares and their account number.
You also may exchange your Fund shares that are subject to a CDSC for
shares of Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc. The shares so
purchased will be held in a special account created solely for this purpose
("Exchange Account"). Exchanges of shares from an Exchange Account only can be
made into certain other funds managed or administered by the Manager. No CDSC is
charged when an investor exchanges into an Exchange Account; however, the
applicable CDSC will be imposed when shares are redeemed from an Exchange
Account or other applicable Fund account. Upon redemption, the applicable CDSC
will be calculated without regard to the time such shares were held in an
Exchange Account. See "How to Redeem Shares." Redemption proceeds for Exchange
Account shares are paid by Federal wire or check only. Exchange Account shares
also are eligible for the Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege, Dreyfus Dividend
Sweep and the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
To request an exchange, your Service Agent, acting on your behalf, must
give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. If
you did not purchase your Fund shares through a Service Agent, you may give
exchange instructions directly to the Transfer Agent. The Fund automatically
gives you the ability to issue exchange instructions by telephone, 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 from any
person representing himself or herself to be you, or a representative of your
Service Agent, 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 reserve
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.
Exchanges of Class R Shares of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund or Dreyfus
Premier Strategic Income Fund held by a Retirement Plan may be made only between
the investor's Retirement Plan account in one fund and such investor's
Retirement Plan account in another fund.
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 a Fund, shares of certain other funds
advised by the Manager or Founders of which you are a shareholder. Fund shares
may be exchanged for shares of the same Class of such other funds, except that
Class T shares of Dreyfus Premier High Yield Securities Fund may be exchanged
for Class A shares of the fixed income funds in the Dreyfus Premier Family of
Funds. 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 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. Shares may be exchanged only between
accounts having identical names and other identifying designations. The Fund
reserves the right to reject any exchange request in whole or in part. The Fund
Exchanges service or 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 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 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 Dividend Options. Dreyfus Dividend Sweep allows you to invest
automatically your dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if
any, from a Fund in shares of another fund advised by the Manager, or certain
funds advised by Founders, of which you are a shareholder. Dividends or
distributions from a Class of shares may be invested in shares of the same Class
of such other funds (or Class A shares with respect to Class T shares). 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 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. 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.
Certain Retirement Plans, including Dreyfus-sponsored retirement plans,
may permit certain participants to establish an automatic withdrawal plan from
such Retirement Plans. Participants should consult their Retirement Plan sponsor
and tax adviser for details. Such a withdrawal plan is different than the
Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
No CDSC with respect to Class B shares will be imposed on withdrawals made
under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, provided that any amount withdrawn under
the plan does not exceed on an annual basis 12% of the greater of (1) the
account value at the time of the first withdrawal under the Automatic Withdrawal
Plan or (2) the account value at the time of the subsequent withdrawal.
Withdrawals with respect to Class B shares under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan
that exceed such amounts will be subject to a CDSC. Withdrawals of Class A or
Class T shares subject to a CDSC and Class C shares under the Automatic
Withdrawal Plan will be subject to any applicable CDSC. Purchases of additional
Class A or Class T shares where the sales load is imposed concurrently with
withdrawals of Class A or Class T shares generally are undesirable.
Letter of Intent--Class A and Class T Shares. By signing a Letter of
Intent form, which can be obtained by calling 1-800-554-4611, you become
eligible for the reduced sales load applicable to the total number of Eligible
Fund shares purchased in a 13-month period pursuant to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Letter of Intent. A minimum initial purchase of $5,000 is
required. To compute the applicable sales load, the offering price of shares you
hold (on the date of submission of the Letter of Intent) in any Eligible Fund
that may be used toward "Right of Accumulation" benefits described above may be
used as a credit toward completion of the Letter of Intent. However, the reduced
sales load will be applied only to new purchases.
The Transfer Agent will hold in escrow 5% of the amount indicated in the
Letter of Intent for payment of a higher sales load if you do not purchase the
full amount indicated in the Letter of Intent. The escrow will be released when
you fulfill the terms of the Letter of Intent by purchasing the specified
amount. If your purchases qualify for a further sales load reduction, the sales
load will be adjusted to reflect your total purchase at the end of 13 months. If
total purchases are less than the amount specified, you will be requested to
remit an amount equal to the difference between the sales load actually paid and
the sales load applicable to the aggregate purchases actually made. If such
remittance is not received within 20 days, the Transfer Agent, as
attorney-in-fact pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Intent, will redeem an
appropriate number of Class A or Class T shares of the Fund held in escrow to
realize the difference. Signing a Letter of Intent does not bind you to
purchase, or the Fund to sell, the full amount indicated at the sales load in
effect at the time of signing, but you must complete the intended purchase to
obtain the reduced sales load. At the time you purchase Class A or Class T
shares, you must indicate your intention to do so under a Letter of Intent.
Purchases pursuant to a Letter of Intent will be made at the then-current net
asset value plus the applicable sales load in effect at the time such Letter of
Intent was executed.
Corporate Pension/Profit-Sharing and Retirement Plans. The Company makes
available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and profit-sharing
plans including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the Company makes
available Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a
non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, Rollover IRAs and Education 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. Each Fund's investments are valued each
business day using available market quotations or at fair value. Substantially
all of a Fund's fixed-income investments (excluding short-term investments) are
valued by one or more independent pricing services (the "Service") approved by
the Board. Securities valued by the Service for which quoted bid prices in the
judgment of the Service are readily available and are representative of the bid
side of the market are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as
obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as
calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such
securities). Other investments valued by the Service are carried at fair value
as determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration of
yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type;
indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. Short-term
investments are not valued by the Service and are valued at the mean price or
yield equivalent for such securities or for securities of comparable maturity,
quality and type as obtained from market makers. Other investments that are not
valued by the Service are valued at the last sales price for securities traded
primarily on an exchange or the national securities market or otherwise at the
average of the most recent bid and asked prices. Bid-price is used when no asked
price is available. Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of
foreign currency will be translated into U.S. dollars at the midpoint of the New
York interbank market spot exchange rate as quoted on the day of such
translation by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, if no such rate is
quoted on such date, at the exchange rate previously quoted by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York or at such other quoted market exchange rate as may be
determined to be appropriate by the Manager. Forward currency contracts will be
valued at the current cost of offsetting the contract. Because of the need to
obtain prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges throughout the
world, the calculation of net asset value does not take place contemporaneously
with the determination of prices of a majority of each Fund's portfolio
securities. Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost, which
approximates value. Expenses and fees, including the management fee paid by the
Fund and the fees paid pursuant to the Distribution Plan and Shareholder
Services Plan, as applicable (reduced by the expense limitation, if any), are
accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the net
asset value of a Fund's shares. Because of the differences in operating expenses
incurred by each Class of shares of each Fund, the per share net asset value of
each Class of shares of the Funds will differ.
Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which
recent market quotations are not readily available, or are not valued by the
Service, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board. The
Board will review the method of valuation on a current basis. In making their
good faith-valuation of restricted securities, the Board members generally will
take the following factors into consideration: restricted securities which are,
or are convertible into, securities of the same class of securities for which a
public market exists usually will be valued at market value less the same
percentage discount at which purchased. This discount will be revised
periodically by the Board if it believes that the discount no longer reflects
the value of the restricted securities. Restricted securities not of the same
class as securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued
initially at cost. Any subsequent adjustment from cost will be based upon
considerations deemed relevant by the Board.
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 Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus
Premier High Yield Securities Fund each have qualified as a "regulated
investment company" under the Code for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999.
Each such Fund intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is in the
best interests of its shareholders. In addition, Dreyfus Premier Strategic
Income Fund, which was not in existence on October 31, 1999, intends to qualify
as a "regulated investment company" under the Code. As a regulated investment
company, each Fund will pay no Federal income tax on net investment income and
net realized securities gains to the extent that such income and gains are
distributed to shareholders 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. If a 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. 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
dividends or distributions 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 an investor's purchase may
have the effect of reducing the aggregate net asset value of the shares below
the cost of the investment. Such a dividend or distribution would be a return of
investment in an economic sense, although taxable as stated above. In addition,
the Code provides that if a shareholder holds shares of a Fund for 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.
A Fund may qualify for and may make an election permitted under Section
853 of the Code so that shareholders may be eligible to claim a credit or
deduction on their Federal income tax returns for, and will be required to treat
as part of the amounts distributed to them, their pro rata portion of qualified
taxes paid or incurred by the Fund to foreign countries (which taxes relate
primarily to investment income). A Fund may make an election under Section 853
of the Code, provided that more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets
at the close of the taxable year consists of securities in foreign corporations,
and the Fund satisfies the applicable distribution provisions of the Code. The
foreign tax credit available to shareholders is subject to certain limitations
imposed by the Code.
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. In addition, all or a portion of any gains realized
from the sale or other disposition of certain market discount bonds will be
treated as ordinary income. Finally, all or a portion of the 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 a Fund from certain forward contracts
and options transactions ("Section 1256 contracts") 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 Section 1256 contracts as well as from
closing transactions. In addition, any Section 1256 contracts remaining
unexercised at the end of a Fund's taxable year will be treated as sold for
their then fair market value, resulting in additional gain or loss to such Fund
characterized in the manner described above.
Offsetting positions held by a Fund involving certain financial futures or
forward contracts or options transactions with respect to actively traded
personal property may be considered, for tax purposes, to constitute
"straddles". To the extend the 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 rechracterized 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 a Fund enters into certain derivatives (including forward contracts,
long positions under notional principal contracts, and related puts and calls)
with respect to equity interests in certain pass-thru entities (including other
regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partnerships,
real estate mortgage investment conduits and certain trusts and foreign
corporations), long-term capital gain with respect to the derivative may be
recharacterized as ordinary income to the extent it exceeds the long-term
capital gain that would have been realized had the interest in the pass-thru
entity been held directly by the Fund during the term of the derivative
contract. Any gain recharacterized as ordinary income will be treated as
accruing at a constant rate over the term of the derivative contract and may be
subject to an interest charge. The Treasury has authority to issue regulations
expanding the application of these rules to derivatives with respect to debt
instruments and/or stock in corporations that are not pass-thru entities.
If a 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 a Fund in securities issued or acquired 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 by causing a Fund to recognize
income prior to the receipt of cash payments. For example, a Fund could be
required to accrue a portion of the discount (or deemed discount) at which the
securities were issued each year and to distribute such income in order to
maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company. In such case, a
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 Company 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 fees are not reduced as consequence of the receipt of
such supplemental information. Such information may be useful to the Manager in
serving both the Company 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 obligations to the Company.
Sales by a broker of shares of a Fund or other funds advised by the
Manager or its affiliates 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 a Fund's
transactions in securities of foreign issuers may not benefit from the
negotiated commission rates available to a Fund for transactions in securities
of domestic issuers. When transactions are executed in the over-the-counter
market, each Fund will deal with the primary market makers unless a more
favorable price or execution otherwise is obtainable. Foreign exchange
transactions are made with banks or institutions in the interbank market at
prices reflecting a mark-up or mark-down and/or commission.
Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within a year. In
periods in which extraordinary market conditions prevail, the Manager will not
be deterred from changing a Fund's 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.
The following table summarizes the brokerage commissions, and gross
spreads and concessions on principal transaction amounts, for each Fund for the
past three fiscal years ended October 31, 1999 (as applicable). None of these
amounts was paid to the Distributor, or to Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.,
the Fund's distributor during such fiscal years.
Brokerage Gross Spreads and
Commissions Concessions
--------------------- ------------------
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Dreyfus Premier Core $41,764 $274,824 $88,425 $217,238 $0 $3,120
Bond Fund
Dreyfus Premier High $17,136 $172,013 $0 $266,750 $0 $0
Yield Securities Fund
From time to time, consistent with the policy of obtaining the most
favorable net price, the Company may conduct brokerage transactions through the
Manager or its affiliates, including Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. ("DBS").
The Company'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. No brokerage transactions were conducted
through, and no amounts were paid to, the Manager or its affiliates, including
DBS, for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
As Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund was not in existence on October 31,
1999, no information on brokerage transactions is available for the Fund.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The 30-day yield for Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier
High Yield Securities Fund, as of April 30, 2000, was as follows:
Name of Fund 30-day Yield
Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund
(Class A) 6.42%
(Class B) 6.04%
(Class C) 5.90%
(Class R) 6.76%
Dreyfus Premier High Yield
Securities Fund
(Class A) 13.13%
(Class B) 13.16%
(Class C) 13.22%
(Class T) 13.07%
Current yield is computed pursuant to a formula which operates as follows:
the amount of the Fund's expenses accrued for the 30-day period (net of
reimbursements) is subtracted from the amount of the dividends and interest
earned (computed in accordance with regulatory requirements) by the Fund during
the period. That result is then divided by the product of: (a) the average daily
number of shares outstanding during the period that were entitled to receive
dividends, and (b) the net asset value per share on the last day of the period
less any undistributed earned income per share reasonably expected to be
declared as a dividend shortly thereafter. The quotient is then added to 1, and
that sum is raised to the 6th power, after which 1 is subtracted. The current
yield is then arrived at by multiplying the result by 2.
The average annual total return for the one-, five-, and ten-year periods
ended April 30, 2000, or since the Fund's commencement of operations (as
indicated), for Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund and Dreyfus Premier High Yield
Securities Fund, was as follows (no information is provided for Class B, C, R,
and T shares of either Fund, as applicable, because each Class is less than one
year old):
Average Annual Total Return
Name of Fund Since
------------
One Year Five Years Ten Years Inception
Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund
(Class A-at net asset value) 5.36% 8.33% 9.44% -
(Class A-with maximum 4.50% 0.63% 7.34 8.94% -
load)
Dreyfus Premier High Yield
Securities Fund
(Class A-at net asset value) 6.49%% N/A N/A 10.08%(1)
(Class A-with maximum 5.75% 0.37% N/A N/A 8.50%(1)
load)
----------------------
(1) For the period March 25, 1996 (commencement of operations) through April
30, 2000.
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 average annual total return figures
calculated in accordance with such formula assume that for Class A or Class T
the maximum applicable sales load has been deducted from the hypothetical
initial investment at the time of purchase, or for Class B or Class C the
maximum applicable CDSC has been paid upon redemption at the end of the period.
The aggregate total return for each Fund for the period since the Fund's
commencement of operations through April 30, 2000 (as to each Class) was as
follows:
Based on Maximum
Offering Price for
Based on Net Asset Class A and Class T
Name of Fund Value (without or Deduction of
deduction of maximum Maximum CDSC for
sales load) Class B and Class C
-------------------- ---------------------- -----------------------
Dreyfus Premier Core
Bond Fund
Class A(1) 212.63% 207.09%
Class B(3) 1.76% -2.24%
Class C(3) 1.57% 0.57%
Class R(3) 1.75% N/A
Dreyfus Premier High
Yield
Securities Fund
Class A(2) 48.23% 39.74%
Class B(3) -1.34% -5.12%
Class C(3) -1.41% -2.35%
Class T(3) -1.03% -5.46%
----------------------
(1) For the period October 3, 1986 (commencement of operations) through April
30, 2000.
(2) For the period March 25, 1996 (commencement of operations) through April
30, 2000.
(3) For the period from March 1, 2000 (commencement of initial public
offering) through April 30, 2000.
Aggregate total return is calculated by subtracting the amount of the
Fund's net asset value (maximum offering price in the case of Class A or Class T
shares) 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 any applicable CDSC), and
dividing the result by the net asset value (maximum offering price in the case
of Class A or Class T) per share at the beginning of the period. Aggregate total
return also may be calculated based on the net asset value per share at the
beginning of the period instead of the maximum offering price per share at the
beginning of the period for Class A or Class T shares or without giving effect
to any applicable CDSC at the end of the period for Class B or Class C shares of
each of the Dreyfus Premier Funds. In such cases, the calculation would not
reflect the deduction of the sales charge with respect to Class A or Class T
shares, or any applicable CDSC with respect to Class B or Class C shares, which,
if reflected, would reduce the performance quoted.
On November 5, 1998, shareholders of Dreyfus Premier Core Bond Fund
approved a proposal for the Fund to pursue an investment objective of maximizing
total return. Prior to the implementation date of these changes on November 15,
1998, the Fund's investment objective was to maximize current income.
Accordingly, performance for periods prior to November 15, 1998 reflects the
Fund being managed pursuant to its prior investment objective.
Advertising materials for each Fund may include reference to the role
played by the Manager or Jack J. Dreyfus, Jr. in popularizing the concept of
mutual funds as an investment vehicle and may refer to the role the Manager and
the Dreyfus Family of Funds play or have played in the mutual fund industry, and
the fact that the mutual fund industry, which includes Dreyfus and the Dreyfus
funds, has, through the wide variety of innovative and democratic mutual fund
products it has made available, brought to the public investment opportunities
once reserved for the few. Advertising materials for each Fund also may include
(i) biographical information relating to its portfolio manager, including honors
or awards received, and may refer to or include commentary by the Fund's
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; (ii) information concerning retirement and
investing for retirement, including statistical data or general discussions
about the growth and development of Dreyfus Retirement Services (in terms of new
customers, assets under management, market share, etc.) and its presence in the
defined contribution plan market; (iii) the approximate number of then-current
Fund shareholders, (iv) Lipper, Morningstar and Value Line rankings or ratings
and related analysis supporting the rankings or ratings; (v) discussions of the
risk and reward potential of the high yield securities markets, and the
mortgage- and real estate-related markets, and the comparative performance of
each against other securities markets and relevant indices; and (vi) comparative
performance of a Fund with a relevant broad-based securities market index, or
against inflation, short-term Treasury Bills (which are direct obligations of
the U.S. Government), bonds, stocks, or FDIC-insured bank money market accounts.
As Dreyfus Premier Strategic Income Fund was not in existence on April 30,
2000, no performance information is available for the Fund.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND FUNDS
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
have equal rights as to dividends and in liquidation. Shares have no preemptive
or subscription rights and are freely transferable.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances,
be held personally liable for the obligations of a Massachusetts business trust.
However, the Company's Agreement and Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Company and requires that notice of
such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered
into or executed by the Company or a Trustee. The Agreement and Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification from the Fund's property for all losses and
expenses of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder's incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would
be unable to meet its obligations, a possibility which management believes is
remote. Upon payment of any liability incurred by the Fund, the shareholder
paying such liability will be entitled to reimbursement from the general assets
of the Fund. The Company intends to conduct its operations in such a way so as
to avoid, as far as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for
liabilities of the Fund.
Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act, ordinarily it will not be
necessary for a 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 two-thirds 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 Company is a "series fund," which is a mutual fund divided into
separate portfolios, each of which is treated as a separate entity for certain
matters under the 1940 Act and for other purposes. A shareholders of one
portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. For certain
matters shareholders vote together as a group; as to others they vote separately
by portfolio.
To date, the Board has authorized the creation of three series of shares.
All consideration received by the Company for shares of one Fund and all assets
in which such consideration is invested will belong to that Fund (subject only
to the rights of creditors of the Company) and will be subject to the
liabilities related thereto. The income attributable to, and the expenses of,
one Fund are treated separately from those of the other Funds. The Company has
the ability to create, from time to time, new series without shareholder
approval.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be
submitted under the provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state law or
otherwise to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment
company, such as the Company, will not be deemed to have been effectively acted
upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
each series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a series
shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests
of each series in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect
any interest of such series. However, the Rule exempts the selection of
independent accountants and the election of Board members from the separate
voting requirements of the Rule.
Each 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 or the Dreyfus Premier 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 any 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.
Each Fund will send 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 Company, has rendered its opinion as to certain
legal matters regarding the due authorization and valid issuance of the shares
being sold pursuant to each Fund's Prospectus.
Ernst & Young LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New, York, New York 10019,
independent auditors, have been selected as independent auditors of the Company.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
Rating Categories
Description of certain ratings assigned by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services ("S&P"), Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's"), and Fitch IBCA, Duff &
Phelps ("Fitch"):
S&P
Long-term
AAA
An obligation rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor's
capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA
An obligation rated 'AA' differs from the highest rated obligations only in
small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong.
A
An obligation rated 'A' is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher
rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB
An obligation rated 'BBB' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C
Obligations rated 'BB', 'B', 'CCC', 'CC', and 'C' are regarded as having
significant speculative characteristics. 'BB' indicates the least degree of
speculation and 'C' the highest. While such obligations will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB
An obligation rated 'BB' is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative
issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's
inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B
An obligation rated 'B' is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated
'BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC
An obligation rated 'CCC' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely
to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC
An obligation rated 'CC' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C
A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated 'C' is currently highly
vulnerable to nonpayment. The 'C' rating may be used to cover a situation where
a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on
this obligation are being continued. A 'C' also will be assigned to a preferred
stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is
currently paying.
D
An obligation rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used
when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on
an obligation are jeopardized.
r
The symbol 'r' is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant
noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected
returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include:
obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities;
obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk--such as interest-only or
principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky
interest terms, such as inverse floaters.
N.R.
The designation 'N.R.' indicates that no rating has been requested, that there
is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate
a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
Note: The ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus
(+) or minus (-) sign designation to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
Short-term
A-1
A short-term obligation rated 'A-1' is rated in the highest category by S&P. The
obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong.
Within this category, certain obligations are given a plus sign (+) designation.
This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2
A short-term obligation rated 'A-2' is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in
higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3
A short-term obligation rated 'A-3' exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation.
B
A short-term obligation rated 'B' is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties
which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet is financial
commitment on the obligation.
C
A short-term obligation rated 'C' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D
A short-term obligation rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category
is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on
an obligation are jeopardized.
Moody's
Long-term
Aaa
Bonds rated 'Aaa' are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest
degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edged."
Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin
and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to
change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa
Bonds rated 'Aa' are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together
with the 'Aaa' group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds.
They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not
be as large as in 'Aaa' securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be
of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the 'Aaa' securities.
A
Bonds rated 'A' possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be
considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa
Bonds rated 'Baa' are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are
neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal
security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.
Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have
speculative characteristics as well.
Ba
Bonds rated 'Ba' are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be
considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal
payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good
and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in
this class.
B
Bonds rated 'B' generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment.
Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of
the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa
Bonds rated 'Caa' are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there
may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca
Bonds rated 'Ca' represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree.
Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C
Bonds rated 'C' are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be
regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real
investment standing.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating
classification from 'Aa' through 'Caa'. The modifier 1 indicates that the
obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier
2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the
lower end of that generic rating category.
Prime rating system (short-term)
Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for
repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will
often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:
Leading market positions in well-established industries.
High rates of return on funds employed.
Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and
ample asset protection.
Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation.
Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured
sources of alternate liquidity.
Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability for
repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced
by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings
trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation.
Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by
external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability
for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry
characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in
earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection
measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate
alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Fitch
Long-term investment grade
AAA
Highest credit quality. 'AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit
risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely
payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be
adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA
Very high credit quality. 'AA' ratings denote a very low expectation of credit
risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
events.
A
High credit quality. 'A' ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This
capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in
economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB
Good credit quality. 'BBB' ratings indicate that there is currently a low
expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in
economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest
investment-grade category.
Long-term speculative grade
BB
Speculative. 'BB' ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk
developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time;
however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial
commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment
grade.
B
Highly speculative. 'B' ratings indicate that significant credit risk is
present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are
currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon
a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
CCC, CC, C
High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial
commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic
developments. 'CC' ratings indicate that default of some kind appears probable.
'C' ratings signal imminent default.
DDD, DD, D
Default. The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their
prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or
liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly
speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as
general guidelines. 'DDD' obligations have the highest potential for recovery,
around 90% - 100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. 'DD' ratings
indicate potential recoveries in the range of 50% - 90% and 'D' the lowest
recovery potential, i.e., below 50%.
Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their
obligations. Entities rated 'DDD' have the highest prospect for resumption of
performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization
process. Entities rated 'DD' and 'D' are generally undergoing a formal
reorganization or liquidation process; those rated 'DD' are likely to satisfy a
higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated 'D' have a
poor prospect of repaying all obligations.
Short-term
A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most
obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus
places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments
in a timely manner.
F1
Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong
credit feature.
F2
Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the
higher ratings.
F3
Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitment is
adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction
non-investment grade.
B
Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in
financial and economic conditions.
C
High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial
commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic
environment.
D
Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.
'NR' indicates that Fitch does not rate the issuer or issue in question.
Notes to long-term and short-term ratings: A plus (+) or minus (-) sign
designation may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major
rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the 'AAA' long-term rating
category, to categories below 'CCC', or to short-term ratings other than 'F1.'
DREYFUS DEBT AND EQUITY FUNDS
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
-------------------------
Item 23. Exhibits
- ------- --------
(a) Registrant's Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust is incorporated
by reference to Exhibit (1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 29, 1995.
(b) Registrant's By-Laws, as amended are incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (b) or Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 2, 2000.
(d) Amended Management Agreement.
(e) (1) Amended Distribution Agreement.
(2) Forms of Service Agreements
(g) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 8 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 29, 1995.
(h) Revised Shareholder Services Plan.
(i) Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 2, 2000.
(j) Consent of Independent Auditors.
(m) Revised Distribution Plan.
(n) Revised Rule 18f-3 Plan.
(p) Revised Code of Ethics
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
------- ---------------
The Statement as to the general effect of any contract, arrangements
or statute under which a Board member, officer, underwriter or
affiliated person of the Registrant is insured or indemnified in any
manner against any liability which may be incurred in such capacity,
other than insurance provided by any Board member, officer,
affiliated person or underwriter for their own protection, is
incorporated by reference to Item 23(b) of Part C of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
on February 2, 2000.
Reference is also made to the Distribution Agreement attached as
Exhibit (e).
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 and manager 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 and distributor of other investment companies advised
and administered by Dreyfus. Dreyfus Investment Advisors, Inc.,
another wholly-owned subsidiary, provides investment management
services to various pension plans, institutions and individuals.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ITEM 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officers and Directors of Investment Adviser
Name and Position
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
CHRISTOPHER M. CONDRON Franklin Portfolio Associates, Director 1/97 - Present
Chairman of the Board and LLC*
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
Director 4/95 - 1/98
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 Financial Corporation+ Chief Operating Officer 1/99 - Present
President 1/99 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 11/94 - 1/99
Founders Asset Management, Chairman 12/97 - Present
LLC**** Director 12/97 - Present
The Boston Company, Inc.* Vice Chairman 1/94 - Present
Director 5/93 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Executive 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 - 1/97
Strategies, Inc. * Director 6/89 - 1/97
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 Financial 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, Director 2/99 - Present
LLC*
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***
Founders Asset Management, Member, Board of 12/97 - Present
LLC**** Managers
Acting Chief Executive 7/98 - 12/98
Officer
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 6/95 - Present
Chairman 1/99 - Present
President 1/99 - Present
Chief Executive Officer 1/99 - Present
THOMAS F. EGGERS Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Chief Executive Officer 3/00 - Present
Vice Chairman - Institutional and Chairman of the
and Director Board
Executive Vice President 4/96 - 3/00
Director 9/96 - Present
Founders Asset Management, Member, Board of 2/99 - Present
LLC**** Managers
Dreyfus Investment Advisors, Inc. Director 1/00 - Present
Dreyfus Service Organization, Director 3/99 - Present
Inc.++
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 3/99 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc. +++
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Director 11/97 - 6/98
401 North Maple Avenue
Beverly Hills, CA.
STEVEN G. ELLIOTT Mellon Financial 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 Executive Officer 8/87 - Present
Director 8/87 - Present
President 8/87 - Present
Mellon Overseas Investments Director 4/88 - Present
Corporation+
Mellon Financial Services Treasurer 12/87 - Present
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 - 12/99
Vice Chairman Advisors, Inc.++
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Chairman 11/97 - 2/99
401 North Maple Ave. Chief Executive Officer 11/97 - 2/98
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 - 3/99
Organization, Inc.++ President 1/97 - 3/99
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc. ++ Director 1/97 - 4/99
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Chairman 5/97 - 3/99
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ President 5/97 - 3/99
Director 5/97 - 3/99
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 - 6/99
Corporation++ President 5/97 - 6/99
Director 12/94 - 6/99
Founders Asset Management, Member, Board of 12/97 - 12/99
LLC**** Managers
The Boston Company Advisors, Chairman 12/95 - 1/99
Inc. Chief Executive Officer 12/95 - 1/99
Wilmington, DE President 12/95 - 1/99
The Boston Company, Inc.* Director 5/93 - 1/99
President 5/93 - 1/99
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
Laurel Capital Advisors, Inc. + Trustee 12/91 - 1/98
Chairman 9/93 - 1/98
President and CEO 12/91 - 1/98
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Director 5/93 - Present
President 5/93 - Present
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Director 6/93 - 1/99
Company+ Executive Vice President 6/93 - 4/98
MARTIN G. MCGUINN Mellon Financial 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
J. DAVID OFFICER Dreyfus Service Corporation++ President 3/00 - Present
Vice Chairman Executive Vice President 5/98 - 3/00
and Director Director 3/99 - Present
Dreyfus Service Organization, Director 3/99 - Present
Inc.++
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/98 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Chairman 3/99 - Present
401 North Maple Avenue
Beverly Hills, CA
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 - 1/99
Corporation*
RECO, Inc.* President 11/96 - Present
Director 11/96 - Present
The Boston Company Financial President 8/96 - 6/99
Services, Inc.* Director 8/96 - 6/99
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Director 7/96 - Present
Company* President 7/96 - 1/99
Mellon Trust of New York Director 6/96 - Present
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
Mellon Trust of California Director 6/96 - Present
400 South Hope Street
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90071
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, President 12/98 - Present
Director LLC**** Chief Executive Officer 12/98 - Present
Prudential Securities Senior Vice President 07/91 - 11/98
New York, NY Regional Director 07/91 - 11/98
RICHARD F. SYRON Thermo Electron President 6/99 - Present
Director 81 Wyman Street Chief Executive Officer 6/99 - Present
Waltham, MA 02454-9046
American Stock Exchange Chairman 4/94 - 6/99
86 Trinity Place Chief Executive Officer 4/94 - 6/99
New York, NY 10006
RONALD P. O'HANLEY Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 3/97 - Present
Vice Chairman
Franklin Portfolio Associates, Director 3/97 - Present
LLC*
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Company* Member
Director 1/99 - Present
The Boston Company, Inc.* Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Member 1/99 - Present
Director
Buck Consultants, Inc.++ Director 7/97 - Present
Newton Asset Management LTD Executive Committee 10/98 - Present
(UK) Member
London, England Director 10/98 - Present
Mellon Asset Management Non-Resident Director 11/98 - Present
(Japan) Co., LTD
Tokyo, Japan
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Director 10/97 - Present
The Boston Company Asset Director 1/98 - Present
Management, LLC*
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 2/97 -Present
Corporation***
Certus Asset Advisors Corp.** Director 2/97 - Present
Mellon Bond Associates, LLP+ Trustee 1/98 - Present
Chairman 1/98 - Present
Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Trustee 1/98 - Present
Chairman 1/98 - Present
Mellon-France Corporation+ Director 3/97 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors+ Trustee 3/97 - Present
STEPHEN R. BYERS Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Senior Vice President 3/00 - Present
Director of Investments and
Senior Vice President
Gruntal & Co., LLC Executive Vice President 5/97 - 11/99
New York, NY Partner 5/97 - 11/99
Executive Committee 5/97 - 11/99
Member
Board of Directors 5/97 - 11/99
Member
Treasurer 5/97 - 11/99
Chief Financial Officer 5/97 - 6/99
PATRICE M. KOZLOWSKI None
Senior Vice President - Corporate
Communications
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 - 3/99
Organization, Inc.++
WILLIAM H. MARESCA The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Chief Financial Officer 3/99 - Present
Controller Treasurer 9/98 - Present
Director 3/97 - Present
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Chief Financial Officer 12/98 - Present
Director 8/00 - 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 Treasurer 3/99 - Present
Organization, Inc.++ Assistant Treasurer 3/93 - 3/99
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 - 8/00
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
Dreyfus-Lincoln, Inc. Director 12/96 - Present
4500 New Linden Hill Road President 1/97 - Present
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
The Dreyfus Trust Company +++ Director 1/96 - Present
Dreyfus Service Organization, Treasurer 10/96 - 3/99
Inc.++
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/97 - 3/99
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ Treasurer 5/97 - 3/99
Executive Vice President 5/97 - 3/99
DIANE P. DURNIN Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Senior Vice President - 5/95 - 3/99
Vice President - Product Marketing and Advertising
Development Division
MARY BETH LEIBIG None
Vice President -
Human Resources
THEODORE A. SCHACHAR Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Vice President -Tax 10/96 - Present
Vice President - Tax
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Chairman 6/99 - Present
Corporation ++ President 6/99 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Advisors, Vice President - Tax 10/96 - Present
Inc.++
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc. +++ Vice President - Tax 10/96 - 12/98
Dreyfus Service Organization, Vice President - Tax 10/96 - Present
Inc.++
WENDY STRUTT None
Vice President
RAYMOND J. VAN COTT Mellon Financial Corporation+ Vice President 7/98 - Present
Vice President -
Information Systems
Computer Sciences Corporation Vice President 1/96 - 7/98
El Segundo, CA
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 2930 East Third Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80206.
+ 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) Dreyfus A Bonds Plus, Inc.
2) Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc.
3) Dreyfus Balanced Fund, Inc.
4) Dreyfus BASIC GNMA Fund
5) Dreyfus BASIC Money Market Fund, Inc.
6) Dreyfus BASIC Municipal Fund, Inc.
7) Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund
8) Dreyfus California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
9) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
10) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
11) Dreyfus Cash Management
12) Dreyfus Cash Management Plus, Inc.
13) Dreyfus Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
14) Dreyfus Connecticut Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
15) Dreyfus Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
16) Dreyfus Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
17) Dreyfus Founders Funds, Inc.
18) The Dreyfus Fund Incorporated
19) Dreyfus Global Bond Fund, Inc.
20) Dreyfus Global Growth Fund
21) Dreyfus GNMA Fund, Inc.
22) Dreyfus Government Cash Management Funds
23) Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
24) Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
25) Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
26) Dreyfus Debt and Equity Funds
27) Dreyfus Index Funds, Inc.
28) Dreyfus Institutional Money Market Fund
29) Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Money Market Fund
30) Dreyfus Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund
31) Dreyfus Insured Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
32) Dreyfus Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
33) Dreyfus International Funds, Inc.
34) Dreyfus Investment Grade Bond Funds, Inc.
35) Dreyfus Investment Portfolios
36) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc.
37) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust
38) The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds
39) Dreyfus LifeTime Portfolios, Inc.
40) Dreyfus Liquid Assets, Inc.
41) Dreyfus Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
42) Dreyfus Massachusetts Municipal Money Market Fund
43) Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund
44) Dreyfus MidCap Index Fund
45) Dreyfus Money Market Instruments, Inc.
46) Dreyfus Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
47) Dreyfus Municipal Cash Management Plus
48) Dreyfus Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
49) Dreyfus New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
50) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
51) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
52) Dreyfus New Leaders Fund, Inc.
53) Dreyfus New York Municipal Cash Management
54) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
55) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Intermediate Bond Fund
56) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
57) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund
58) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
59) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
60) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Short Term Fund
61) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
62) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
63) Dreyfus Premier California Municipal Bond Fund
64) Dreyfus Premier Equity Funds, Inc.
65) Dreyfus Premier International Funds, Inc.
66) Dreyfus Premier GNMA Fund
67) Dreyfus Premier Opportunity Funds
68) Dreyfus Premier Worldwide Growth Fund, Inc.
69) Dreyfus Premier Municipal Bond Fund
70) Dreyfus Premier New York Municipal Bond Fund
71) Dreyfus Premier State Municipal Bond Fund
72) Dreyfus Premier Value Equity Funds
73) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund
74) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
75) The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
76) Dreyfus Stock Index Fund
77) Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management
78) The Dreyfus Premier Third Century Fund, Inc.
79) Dreyfus Treasury Cash Management
80) Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management
81) Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
82) Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.
83) General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
84) General California Municipal Money Market Fund
85) General Government Securities Money Market Funds, Inc.
86) General Money Market Fund, Inc.
87) General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
88) General Municipal Money Market Funds, Inc.
89) General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
90) General New York Municipal Money Market Fund
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
(b)
Positions and
Name and principal Offices with
Business address Positions and offices with the Distributor Registrant
---------------- ------------------------------------------ ----------
Thomas F. Eggers * Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board None
J. David Officer * President and Director None
Stephen Burke * Executive Vice President and Director None
Charles Cardona * Executive Vice President and Director None
Anthony DeVivio ** Executive Vice President and Director None
Michael Millard ** Executive Vice President and Director None
David K. Mossman ** Executive Vice President None
Jeffrey N. Nachman *** Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer None
William T. Sandalls, Jr. * Executive Vice President None
William H. Maresca * Chief Financial Officer and Director None
James Book **** Senior Vice President None
Ken Bradle ** Senior Vice President None
Stephen R. Byers * Senior Vice President None
Joseph Connolly * Senior Vice President Vice President
and Treasurer
Joseph Ecks + Senior Vice President None
William Glenn * Senior Vice President None
Bradley Skapyak * Senior Vice President None
Jane Knight * Chief Legal Officer and Secretary None
Stephen Storen * Chief Compliance Officer None
Jeffrey Cannizzaro * Vice President - Compliance None
John Geli ** Vice President None
Maria Georgopoulos * Vice President - Facilities Management None
William Germenis * Vice President - Compliance None
Walter T. Harris * Vice President None
Janice Hayles * Vice President None
Hal Marshall * Vice President - Compliance None
Paul Molloy * Vice President None
B.J. Ralston ** Vice President None
Theodore A. Schachar * Vice President - Tax None
James Windels * Vice President None
James Bitetto * Assistant Secretary None
Ronald Jamison * Assistant Secretary None
* Principal business address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166.
** Principal business address is 144 Glenn Curtiss Blvd., Uniondale, NY 11556-0144.
*** Principal business address is 401 North Maple Avenue, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
**** Principal business address is One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15258
+ Principal business address is One Boston Place, Boston, MA 02108
</TABLE>
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
------- --------------------------------
1. Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
2. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671
3. The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Item 29. Management Services
------- -------------------
Not Applicable
Item 30. Undertakings
------- ------------
None
SIGNATURES
-------------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 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 29th day of December, 2000.
Dreyfus Debt and Equity Funds
BY: /s/Stephen E. Canter*
---------------------------
Stephen E. Canter, 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 date indicated.
Signatures Title Date
/s/Stephen E. Canter* President (Principal Executive 12/29/00
------------------------------ Officer) and Trustee
Stephen E. Canter
/s/Joseph Connolly* Vice President, Treasurer 12/29/00
------------------------------
Joseph Connolly
/s/David W. Burke* Trustee 12/29/00
------------------------------
David W. Burke
/s/Joseph S. DiMartino* Trustee 12/29/00
------------------------------
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/Diane Dunst* Trustee 12/29/00
------------------------------
Diane Dunst
/s/Rosalind Gersten Jacobs* Trustee 12/29/00
-------------------------------
Rosalind Gersten Jacob
/s/Jay I. Meltzer* Trustee 12/29/00
-------------------------------
Jay I. Meltzer
/s/Daniel Rose* Trustee 12/29/00
-------------------------------
Daniel Rose
/s/Warren B. Rudman* Trustee 12/29/00
-------------------------------
Warren B. Rudman
/s/Sander Vanocur* Trustee 12/29/00
-------------------------------
Sander Vanocur
*BY: John B. Hammalian
-----------------------------
John B. Hammalian
Attorney-in-Fact
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
(d) Amended Management Agreement
(e) (1) Amended Distribution Agreement
(2) Forms of Service Agreements
(h) Revised Shareholder Services Plan
(j) Consent of Independent Auditors
(m) Revised Distribution Plan
(n) Revised Rule 18f-3 Plan
(p) Revised Code of Ethics
OTHER EXHIBITS
(a) Powers of Attorney
(b) Certificate of Secretary
