PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
Dear Shareholder:
We are pleased to provide you with this report on the Premier State
Municipal Bond Fund, North Carolina Series. For its semi-annual reporting
period ended October 31, 1995, your Series' Class A and Class B shares
produced total returns of 6.49% and 6.23%, respectively.* Tax-free income
dividends of approximately $.338 per share for Class A shares and $.305 per
share for Class B shares were paid.** This amounts to an annualized tax-free
distribution rate per share of 4.85% for Class A shares and 4.58% for Class B
shares.*** Class C shares, from their introduction on August 15, 1995 through
October 31, provided a total return of 4.33%,* and paid tax-free income
dividends of approximately $.121 per share** amounting to an annualized
tax-free distribution rate per share of 4.30%.***
THE ECONOMY
Concerns about lagging economic growth prompted the Federal Reserve Board
to ease the Fed Funds rate in July. The bond market has been well ahead of
the Federal Reserve in perceiving that inflation was under control. Long-term
interest rates have fallen for nearly 12 months and, accordingly, bond
investors have enjoyed significant price appreciation. Economic indicators
remain mixed, some causing concern about possible recession, while others
point toward continued expansion.
During times of business uncertainty, attention often shifts to the
consumer sector of the economy, particularly regarding the consumer's ability
to spend. There are some indications that consumers are being pinched. There
is little doubt that the economic recovery has been productivity-driven. That
is, corporations have succeeded in paring expenses from their cost of doing
business. With this reduction in overhead, bottom line profits have grown
dramatically. Yet little of this corporate prosperity has spilled over into
the consumer sector of the economy. Wages and salaries grew less than 3% over
the past year, barely keeping pace with inflation. An additional consumer
concern, new job creation, is at the slowest pace of the post-World War II
era. Recent retail sales reports were the weakest since June 1991, when the
economy was in recession. Also, there is worry that the coming holiday season
will be a poor one for retailers, since debt-burdened consumers may spend
cautiously.
Yet, there are also significant signs of continued growth. Despite
indications of a potential slowdown in consumer spending, measures of
consumer confidence remain high. Business capital spending and home-building
activity have continued, providing substantial fuel for economic growth.
Business investment in durable equipment, when calculated as a percentage of
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is at a 35-year high with no sign of a letup.
No wonder industrial production is booming! And while job and wage growth is
slow, the index of hours worked (a key determinant of GDP growth and income
generation) is rising. Providing additional confidence is the fact that the
four-and-a-half-year recovery has been well balanced: corporate debt issuance
has been moderate and the banking system is not overstretched.
We are encouraged by the Federal Reserve's successful handling of several
crises (Mexico, derivatives, Japanese banking), any one of which could have
threatened the monetary system in the U.S. and/or abroad.
MARKET ENVIRONMENT
The municipal bond market recovered strongly in 1995 as long-term
interest rates fell. If economic conditions remain sluggish and Congress is
able to arrive at an acceptable budget accord, there may be a good chance
that the Fed will ease further. We believe this indicates a favorable outlook
for bond markets in general, particularly with inflation under control. But
inflation can only go so low, and we are wary that the bond market's strength
may be counting too much on continued improvement on the
price front. Thus, while we remain confident in this market environment, we
are alert to the stimulatory effect of easing monetary policy and are
watchful for any signs of rekindling inflation. Our primary task - to
maximize current income exempt from Federal and North Carolina State personal
income taxes to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital -
continues to guide our portfolio management decisions.
While the municipal market and the Series have performed very well this
year, results for municipal securities have been trailing other fixed income
markets. Concerns about tax reform may be limiting investor enthusiasm for
tax exempt securities. Since April, when serious tax reform proposals began
to surface, the municipal rally has lagged, resulting in an increase in
municipal yields as a percentage of comparable taxable bond yields. Today,
long-term municipal bonds are yielding nearly 90% of U.S. Treasuries, which
is a greater yield ratio than existed before the onset of talk about tax
reform. While it could be years before an actual change in the tax code is
adopted, the market's reaction so early in the proposal cycle suggests to us
that the ultimate legislation, if any, may have a less radical effect on the
market than feared.
THE PORTFOLIO
As indicated, because of the tax reform proposals, price performance for
longer maturity municipal bonds has lagged that of the taxable sector.
However, the tax exempt market has still appreciated significantly during the
period. By paying attention to the call structures and duration
characteristics of the bonds in the portfolio, we were able to take advantage
of the upward swing of the market. We are continuing to invest in bonds which
should perform well in a rising market and we expect the performance of the
portfolio to reflect a balance between coupon interest and market movement.
The high level of volatility exhibited by the market in recent years
underscores the need to maintain a disciplined and long-term focus. Solid
market performance thus far in 1995 has rewarded the patient investor.
Included in this report is a series of detailed statements about your
Series' holdings and its financial condition. We hope they are informative.
Please know that we appreciate greatly your continued confidence in the
Series and in The Dreyfus Corporation.
Very truly yours,
[Richard J. Moynihan signature logo]
Richard J. Moynihan
Director, Municipal Portfolio Management
November 16, 1995
New York, N.Y.
* Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains
paid, without taking into consideration the maximum initial sales charge in
the case of Class A shares or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge
imposed on redemptions in the case of Class B or Class C shares.
**Some income may be subject to the Federal Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) for
certain shareholders. Income may be subject to some state and local taxes for
non-North Carolina residents.
***Annualized distribution rate per share is based upon dividends per share
paid from net investment income during the period, divided by the maximum
offering price per share in the case of Class A shares or net asset value per
share in the case of Class B and C shares at the end of the period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1995 (UNAUDITED)
PRINCIPAL
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS-100.0% AMOUNT VALUE
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
NORTH CAROLINA-74.4%
Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina, Revenue
(University of North Carolina Hospital - Chapel Hill) 6%, 2/15/2024..... $ 3,000,000 $ 3,019,140
Buncombe County Metropolitan Sewage District, Sewage System Revenue:
6.75%, 7/1/2022 (Prerefunded; 7/1/2002) (a)............................. 500,000 573,130
Refunding 5.50%, 7/1/2022 (Insured; FGIC)............................... 1,125,000 1,105,605
Charlotte, COP (Convention Facility Project):
6.75%, 12/1/2021 (Prerefunded; 12/1/2001) (Insured; AMBAC) (a).......... 1,000,000 1,142,420
Refunding 5.25%, 12/1/2020 (Insured; AMBAC)............................. 2,000,000 1,897,160
Coastal Regional Solid Waste Management Authority, Solid Waste Disposal
System Revenue 6.50%, 6/1/2008.......................................... 1,000,000 1,051,920
Craven County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing
Authority, PCR,
Refunding (Weyerhaeuser Co. Project) 6.35%, 1/1/2010.................... 2,000,000 2,074,280
Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Revenue, Refunding
6.50%, 3/1/2014 (Prerefunded; 3/1/2000) (Insured; FGIC) (a)............. 350,000 386,235
Haywood County, Revenue, Refunding (Champion International Corp. Project):
Environmental Improvement 6.25%, 9/1/2025............................... 2,000,000 2,006,420
Pollution Control 6.85%, 5/1/2014....................................... 500,000 524,445
Martin County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing
Authority, Revenue
(Solid Waste Disposal - Weyerhaeuser Project) 6.80%, 5/1/2024........... 2,000,000 2,126,520
New Hanover County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing
Authority,
SWDR (Occidental Petroleum) 6.50%, 8/1/2014............................. 1,000,000 1,020,800
North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency, Power System Revenue:
5.75%, 12/1/2016........................................................ 1,865,000 1,745,062
Refunding:
5.875%, 1/1/2013...................................................... 5,000,000 4,852,400
6%, 1/1/2013.......................................................... 2,500,000 2,461,375
6.50%, 1/1/2017....................................................... 1,000,000 1,009,010
North Carolina Educational Facilities Finance Agency, Revenue
(Duke University Project) 6.75%, 10/1/2021.............................. 500,000 539,085
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, Single Family Revenue:
7.05%, 9/1/2020......................................................... 1,465,000 1,540,067
6.10%, 9/1/2025 (Insured; FHA).......................................... 3,995,000 4,135,544
6.50%, 9/1/2026......................................................... 5,000,000 5,087,700
6.70%, 9/1/2026......................................................... 2,250,000 2,315,610
North Carolina Medical Care Commission, HR:
(Annie Penn Memorial Hospital Project) 7.50%, 8/15/2021................. 4,500,000 4,679,100
(Duke University Hospital Project) 7%, 6/1/2021 (Prerefunded; 6/1/2001) (a) 3,000,000 3,437,370
(Presbyterian Hospital Project) 7.375%, 10/1/2020 (Prerefunded; 10/1/2000) (a) 250,000 288,028
Refunding:
(Mercy Hospital Project) 6.50%, 8/1/2015.............................. 1,000,000 1,026,690
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) OCTOBER 31, 1995 (UNAUDITED)
PRINCIPAL
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AMOUNT VALUE
------------- -------------
NORTH CAROLINA (CONTINUED)
North Carolina Medical Care Commission, HR (continued):
Refunding (continued):
(North Carolina Baptist Hospital Project) 6%, 6/1/2022................ $ 1,000,000 $ 999,940
North Carolina Municipal Power Agency, Number 1 Catawba Electric Revenue:
5%, 1/1/2015 (Insured; MBIA)............................................ 1,000,000 917,300
5.75%, 1/1/2015 (Insured; MBIA)......................................... 6,250,000 6,231,438
5.75%, 1/1/2020 (Insured; MBIA)......................................... 2,000,000 1,967,760
Pitt County, Revenue (Pitt County Memorial Hospital):
6.90%, 12/1/2021........................................................ 540,000 617,760
Refunding 5.25%, 12/1/2021.............................................. 3,500,000 3,305,400
Shelby, Combined Enterprise System Revenue, Refunding 5.625%, 5/1/2014...... 1,000,000 985,320
Surry County Northern Hospital District, Health Care Facilities Revenue,
Refunding
7.875%, 10/1/2021....................................................... 1,000,000 1,056,130
Wake County, Hospital System Revenue, Refunding:
Zero Coupon, 10/1/2010 (Insured; MBIA).................................. 2,200,000 954,096
5.125%, 10/1/2026 (Insured; MBIA)....................................... 3,250,000 2,964,325
Wake County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority,
Revenue
(Carolina Power and Light) 6.90%, 4/1/2009.............................. 2,000,000 2,161,100
U.S. RELATED-25.6%
Guam Airport Authority, Revenue 6.70%, 10/1/2023............................ 2,000,000 2,042,680
Guam Government 5.40%, 11/15/2018........................................... 2,000,000 1,792,700
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico:
Public Improvement:
7.70%, 7/1/2020 (Prerefunded; 7/1/2000) (a)........................... 1,000,000 1,159,610
6.80%, 7/1/2021 (Prerefunded; 7/1/2002) (a)........................... 600,000 687,234
Refunding 5.50%, 7/1/2013............................................... 2,000,000 1,950,220
Puerto Rico Highway Authority, Revenue, Refunding
8%, 7/1/2003 (Prerefunded; 7/1/1998) (a)................................ 2,000,000 2,236,820
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, Highway Revenue
6.625%, 7/1/2018 (Prerefunded 7/1/2002) (a)............................. 3,600,000 4,087,404
Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Special Facilities Revenue
(American Airlines, Inc. Project) 6.30%, 6/1/2023....................... 1,500,000 1,512,765
Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority, Guaranteed Public Education and
Health
Facilities, Refunding:
6%, 7/1/2012.......................................................... 850,000 855,601
5.75%, 7/1/2015....................................................... 7,000,000 6,906,130
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority, Revenue, Refunding,
Matching Fund Loan Notes 7.25%, 10/1/2018............................... 1,500,000 1,597,560
----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(cost $94,553,664)...................................................... $97,034,409
===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
<S> <C> <C> <C>
AMBAC American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation MBIA Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
COP Certificate of Participation Insurance Corporation
FGIC Financial Guaranty Insurance Company PCR Pollution Control Revenue
FHA Federal Housing Administration SWDR Solid Waste Disposal Revenue
HR Hospital Revenue
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF COMBINED RATINGS (UNAUDITED)
FITCH (B) OR MOODY'S OR STANDARD & POOR'S PERCENTAGE OF VALUE
- --------- --------- -------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
AAA Aaa AAA 31.0%
AA Aa AA 22.2
A A A 30.1
BBB Baa BBB 15.1
Not Rated (c) Not Rated (c) Not Rated (c) 1.6
--------
100.0%
========
</TABLE>
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS:
(a) Bonds which are prerefunded are collateralized by U.S. Government
securities which are held in escrow and are used to pay principal and
interest on the municipal issue and to retire the bonds in full at the
earliest refunding date.
(b) Fitch currently provides creditworthiness information for a limited
number of investments.
(c) Securities which, while not rated by Fitch, Moody's or Standard &
Poors have been determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality to
those rated securities in which the Series may invest.
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial
statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OCTOBER 31, 1995 (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value
(cost $94,553,664)-see statement...................................... $97,034,409
Interest receivable..................................................... 1,625,342
Receivable for shares of Beneficial Interest subscribed................. 5,012
Prepaid expenses........................................................ 4,941
-----------
98,669,704
LIABILITIES:
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation.......................................... $ 43,924
Due to Distributor...................................................... 38,275
Due to Custodian........................................................ 3,955,224
Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed...................... 353
Accrued expenses........................................................ 76,512 4,114,288
----------- ---------
NET ASSETS ................................................................ $94,555,416
===========
REPRESENTED BY:
Paid-in capital......................................................... $94,911,057
Accumulated net realized (loss) on investments.......................... (2,836,386)
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments-Note 3........... 2,480,745
----------
NET ASSETS at value......................................................... $94,555,416
===========
Shares of Beneficial Interest outstanding:
Class A Shares
(unlimited number of $.001 par value shares authorized)............... 3,875,390
===========
Class B Shares
(unlimited number of $.001 par value shares authorized)............... 3,290,851
===========
Class C Shares
(unlimited number of $.001 par value shares authorized)............... 79
===========
NET ASSET VALUE per share:
Class A Shares
($51,151,962 / 3,875,390 shares)...................................... $13.20
===========
Class B Shares
($43,402,412 / 3,290,851 shares)...................................... $13.19
===========
Class C Shares
($1,042 / 79 shares).................................................. $13.19
===========
</TABLE>
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS SIX MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1995 (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME......................................................... $2,937,551
EXPENSES:
Management fee-Note 2(a).............................................. $ 260,768
Shareholder servicing costs-Note 2(c)................................. 154,422
Distribution fees-Note 2(b)........................................... 108,204
Professional fees..................................................... 7,274
Prospectus and shareholders' reports.................................. 6,882
Custodian fees........................................................ 5,192
Trustees' fees and expenses-Note 2(d)................................. 500
Registration fees..................................................... 317
Miscellaneous......................................................... 72,358
-----------
615,917
Less-reduction in management fee due to
undertakings-Note 2(a)............................................ 20,032
-----------
TOTAL EXPENSES.................................................. 595,885
--------
INVESTMENT INCOME-NET........................................... 2,341,666
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS:
Net realized (loss) on investments-Note 3............................... $ (232,462)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................. 3,656,076
-----------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS................. 3,423,614
--------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS........................ $5,765,280
===========
</TABLE>
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 30, OCTOBER 31, 1995
1995 (UNAUDITED)
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS:
Investment income-net............................................... $ 5,259,404 $ 2,341,666
Net realized (loss) on investments.................................. (2,342,576) (232,462)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments for the period........... 2,019,925 3,656,076
------------- --------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS.......... 4,936,753 5,765,280
------------- --------------
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM;
Investment income-net:
Class A shares.................................................... (3,229,769) (1,333,159)
Class B shares.................................................... (2,029,635) (1,008,497)
Class C shares.................................................... --- (10)
------------- --------------
TOTAL DIVIDENDS............................................... (5,259,404) (2,341,666)
------------- --------------
BENEFICIAL INTEREST TRANSACTIONS:
Net proceeds from shares sold:
Class A shares.................................................... 3,792,421 2,335,353
Class B shares.................................................... 5,258,725 1,129,194
Class C shares.................................................... --- 1,000
Dividends reinvested:
Class A shares.................................................... 1,700,541 665,815
Class B shares.................................................... 1,251,870 596,710
Class C shares.................................................... --- 10
Cost of shares redeemed:
Class A shares.................................................... (23,036,441) (3,914,931)
Class B shares.................................................... (3,172,359) (2,196,107)
------------- --------------
(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM BENEFICIAL
INTEREST TRANSACTIONS....................................... (14,205,243) (1,382,956)
------------- --------------
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS..................... (14,527,894) 2,040,658
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period................................................. 107,042,652 92,514,758
------------- --------------
End of period....................................................... $ 92,514,758 $ 94,555,416
============= ==============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
---------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------
YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED PERIOD ENDED
APRIL 30, OCTOBER 31, 1995 APRIL 30, OCTOBER 31, 1995 OCTOBER 31, 1995
1995 (UNAUDITED) 1995 (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)*
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Shares sold.......... 302,337 180,042 420,696 86,321 78
Shares issued for
dividends reinvested 135,607 51,073 100,207 45,809 1
Shares redeemed...... (1,840,173) (301,110) (256,909) (168,921) ---
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)
IN SHARES OUTSTANDING (1,402,229) (69,995) 263,994 (36,791) 79
============= ============= ============= ============ =============
* From August 15, 1995 (commencement of initial offering) to October 31,
1995.
</TABLE>
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share of
Beneficial Interest outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average
net assets and other supplemental data for each period indicated. This
information has been derived from the Series' financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A SHARES
------------------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, OCTOBER 31, 1995
---------------------------------------
PER SHARE DATA: 1992(1) 1993 1994 1995 (UNAUDITED)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period......... $12.00 $12.39 $13.40 $12.73 $12.72
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Investment income-net........................ .62 .78 .74 .70 .34
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments............................. .39 1.02 (.67) (.01) .48
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS........... 1.01 1.80 .07 .69 .82
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from investment income-net......... (.62) (.78) (.74) (.70) (.34)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments - (.01) - - -
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS........................ (.62) (.79) (.74) (.70) (.34)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of period............... $12.39 $13.40 $12.73 $12.72 $13.20
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN (2)...................... 11.36%(3) 14.97% .29% 5.70% 12.87%(3)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Ratio of expenses to average net assets...... .- .29% .44% .65% 1.02%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 6.35%(3) 5.94% 5.38% 5.63% 5.16%(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due
to undertakings by the Manager............. 1.14%(3) .76% .50% .31% .04%(3)
Portfolio Turnover Rate...................... 15.01%(4) 5.76% 11.62% 12.02% 16.29%(4)
Net Assets, end of period (000's Omitted).... $26,387 $56,284 $68,074 $50,205 $51,152
(1) From August 1, 1991 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 1992.
(2) Exclusive of sales load.
(3) Annualized.
(4) Not annualized.
</TABLE>
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share of
Beneficial Interest outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average
net assets and other supplemental data for each period indicated. This
information has been derived from the Series' financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------
SIX MONTHS ENDED PERIOD ENDED
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, OCTOBER 31, 1995 OCTOBER 31, 1995
----------------------------
PER SHARE DATA: 1993(1) 1994 1995 (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)(2)
------- ------- ------- ------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period.... $12.90 $13.39 $12.72 $12.71 $12.76
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Investment income--net.................. .20 .66 .64 .30 .12
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments........................ .49 (.67) (.01) .48 .43
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS...... .69 (.01) .63 .78 .55
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
DISTRIBUTIONS;
Dividends from investment income--net... (.20) (.66) (.64) (.30) (.12)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS................... (.20) (.66) (.64) (.30) (.12)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of period.......... $13.39 $12.72 $12.71 $13.19 $13.19
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN (3)................. 18.53%(4) (.27%) 5.12% 12.36%(4) 20.26%(4)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Ratio of expenses to average net assets. .79%(4) 1.00% 1.18% 1.53%(4) 1.87%(4)
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets............................ 4.47%(4) 4.78% 5.08% 4.65%(4) 4.33%(4)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios
due to undertakings by the Manager.... .56%(4) .48% .30% .04%(4) .-
Portfolio Turnover Rate................. 5.76% 11.62% 12.02% 16.29%(5) 16.29%(5)
Net Assets, end of period (000's Omitted) $13,145 $38,968 $42,310 $43,402 $1
(1) From January 15, 1993 (commencement of initial offering) to April 30, 1993.
(2) From August 15, 1995 (commencement of initial offering) to October 31, 1995.
(3) Exclusive of sales load.
(4) Annualized.
(5) Not annualized.
</TABLE>
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1-SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Premier State Municipal Bond Fund (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Act") as a non-diversified open-end
management investment company and operates as a series company currently
offering fifteen series including the North Carolina Series (the "Series").
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") acts as the
distributor of the Fund's shares. The Distributor, located at One Exchange
Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FDI Distri
bution Services, Inc., a provider of mutual fund administration services,
which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FDI Holdings, Inc., the parent
company which is Boston Institutional Group, Inc. The Dreyfus Corporation
("Manager") serves as the Fund's investment adviser. The Manager is a direct
subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A.
The Fund accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations
of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to
that series' operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are
allocated among them on a pro rata basis.
The Series offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are
subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, Class B shares are
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge imposed at the time of
redemption on redemptions made within five years of purchase and Class C
shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge imposed at the time
of redemption on redemptions made within one year of purchase. Other
differences between the three Classes include the services offered to and the
expenses borne by each Class and certain voting rights.
(A) PORTFOLIO VALUATION: The Series' investments (excluding options and
financial futures on municipal and U.S. treasury securities) are valued each
business day by an independent pricing service ("Service") approved by the
Board of Trustees. Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily
available and are representative of the bid side of the market in the
judgment of the Service 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 (which constitute a majority of the
portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as determined by the Service,
based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of
municipal securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type;
indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. Options
and financial futures on municipal and U.S. treasury securities are valued at
the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are
primarily traded or at the last sales price on the national securities market
on each business day. Investments not listed on an exchange or the national
securities market, or securities for which there were no transactions, are
valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices. Bid price is
used when no asked price is available.
(B) SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME: Securities
transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gain and loss from
securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Interest
income, adjusted for amortization of premiums and original issue discounts on
investments, is earned from settlement date and recognized on the accrual
basis. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis may be settled a month or more after the trade date.
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
The Series follows an investment policy of investing primarily in municipal
obligations of one state. Economic changes
affecting the state and certain of its public bodies and municipalities may
affect the ability of issuers within the state to pay interest on, or repay
principal of, municipal obligations held by the Series.
(C) DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS: It is the policy of the Series to declare
dividends daily from investment income-net. Such dividends are paid monthly.
Dividends from net realized capital gain, if any, are normally declared and
paid annually, but the Series may make distributions on a more frequent basis
to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. To
the extent that net realized capital gain can be offset by capital loss
carryovers, it is the policy of the Series not to distribute such gain.
(D) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES: It is the policy of the Series to continue to
qualify as a regulated investment company, which can distribute tax exempt
dividends, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code, and to make distributions of income and net realized capital
gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all Federal income and
excise taxes.
The Fund has an unused capital loss carryover of approximately $1,533,000
available for Federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net
securities profits, if any, realized subsequent to April 30, 1995. The
carryover does not include net realized securities losses from November 1,
1994 through April 30, 1995 which are treated, for Federal income tax
purposes, as arising in fiscal 1996. If not applied, $225,000 of the
carryover expires in fiscal 2002 and $1,308,000 of the carryover expires in
fiscal 2003.
NOTE 2-MANAGEMENT FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES:
(A) Pursuant to a management agreement ("Agreement") with the Manager,
the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .55 of 1% of the average
daily value of the Series' net assets and is payable monthly. The Agreement
provides for an expense reimbursement from the Manager should the Series'
aggregate expenses, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings and
extraordinary expenses, exceed the expense limitation of any state having
jurisdiction over the Series for any full fiscal year. However, the Manager
had undertaken through July 10, 1995 to reduce the management fee paid by the
Series, to the extent that the Series' aggregate expenses (exclusive of
certain expenses as described above) exceeded specified annual percentages of
the Series' average daily net assets. The reduction in management fee,
pursuant to the undertakings, amounted to $20,032 for the six months ended
October 31, 1995.
(B) Under the Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act, the Series pays the Distributor for distributing the Series' Class B and
Class C shares at an annual rate of .50 of 1% of the value of the average
daily net assets of Class B shares and .75 of 1% of the value of the average
daily net assets of Class C shares. During the period ended October 31, 1995,
$108,202 was charged to the Series for the Class B shares and $2 was charged
to the Series for the Class C shares.
(C) Under the Shareholder Service Plan, the Series pays the Distributor
at an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the value of the average daily net assets
of Class A, Class B and Class C shares for the provision of certain services.
The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder
accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the Series and
providing reports and other information, and services related to the
maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Distributor may make payments to
Service Agents in respect of these services. The Distributor determines the
amounts to be paid to Service Agents. For
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
the period ended October 31, 1995, $64,429, $54,101 and $1 were charged to
Class A, B and C shares, respectively, by the Distributor pursuant to the
Shareholder Services Plan.
(D) Each trustee who is not an "affiliated person" as defined in the Act
receives from the Fund an annual fee of $2,500 and an attendance fee of $250
per meeting. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional 25% of such
compensation.
NOTE 3-SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities
amounted to $18,082,870 and $16,001,444, respectively, for the six months
ended October 31, 1995, and consisted entirely of long-term and short-term
municipal investments.
At October 31, 1995, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on
investments was $2,480,745, consisting of $3,297,765 gross unrealized
appreciation and $817,020 gross unrealized depreciation.
At October 31, 1995, the cost of investments for Federal income tax
purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting
purposes (see the Statement of Investments).
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
REVIEW REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
We have reviewed the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,
including the statement of investments, of Premier State Municipal Bond Fund,
North Carolina Series (one of the Series constituting the Premier State
Municipal Bond Fund) as of October 31, 1995, and the related statements of
operations and changes in net assets and financial highlights for the six
month period ended October 31, 1995. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management.
We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim
financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures
to financial data, and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial
and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit
conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, which
will be performed for the full year with the objective of expressing an
opinion regarding the financial statements and financial highlights taken as
a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the interim financial statements and financial highlights
referred to above for them to be in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards, the statement of changes in net assets for the year ended
April 30, 1995 and financial highlights for each of the four years in the
period ended April 30, 1995 and in our report dated June 6, 1995, we
expressed an unqualified opinion on such statement of changes in net assets
and financial highlights.
[Ernst and Young LLP signature logo]
New York, New York
December 7, 1995
[Dreyfus lion "d" logo]
PREMIER STATE MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND, NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
MANAGER
The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, NY 10286
TRANSFER AGENT &
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, RI 02940
Further information is contained
in the Prospectus, which must
precede or accompany this report.
Printed in U.S.A. 065/624/694SA9510
[Dreyfus logo]
Semi-Annual Report
Premier State
Municipal Bond Fund
North Carolina Series
October 31, 1995
