DREYFUS BOND MARKET INDEX FUND
INVESTOR SHARES AND BASIC SHARES
PART B
(STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
MARCH 1, 1998
AS REVISED OCTOBER 20, 1998
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of
the Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund (formerly, the Laurel Bond Market Index
Fund) (the "Fund"), dated March 1, 1998, as revised August 17, 1998, as it
may be further revised from time to time. The Fund is a separate,
diversified portfolio of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc. (formerly, The
Laurel Funds, Inc.), an open-end management investment company (the
"Company"), known as a mutual fund. To obtain a copy of the Fund's
Prospectus, please write to the Fund at 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard,
Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, or call one of the following numbers:
Call Toll Free 1-800-645-6561
In New York City -- Call 1-718-895-1206
Outside the U.S. -- Call 516-794-5452
The Dreyfus Corporation ("Dreyfus") serves as the Fund's investment
manager.
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") is the
distributor of the Fund's shares.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Investment Objective and Management Policies B-2
Management of the Fund B-9
Management Arrangements B-16
Purchase of Fund Shares B-17
Distribution Plan B-18
Redemption of Fund Shares B-19
Shareholder Services B-20
Determination of Net Asset Value B-24
Dividends, Other Distributions and Taxes B-24
Portfolio Transactions B-26
Performance Information B-28
Information About the Fund B-30
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing
Agent, Custodian, Counsel and Independent Auditors B-30
Financial Statements B-31
Appendix B-32
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Description of the
Fund."
Portfolio Securities
Floating Rate Securities. A floating rate security is one whose terms
provide for the automatic adjustment of interest rates whenever a specified
interest rate changes. The interest on floating rate securities is
ordinarily tied to and is a percentage of the prime rate of a specified bank
or some similar objective standard such as the 90-day U.S. Treasury bill
rate and may change daily. Generally, changes in interest rates on floating
rate securities will reduce changes in the security's market value from the
original purchase price resulting in the potential for capital appreciation
or capital depreciation being less than for fixed income obligations with a
fixed interest rate.
Government Obligations. The Fund may invest in a variety of U.S.
Treasury obligations, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities
and times of issuance: (a) U.S. Treasury bills have a maturity of one year
or less, (b) U.S. Treasury notes have maturities of one to ten years, and
(c) U.S. Treasury bonds generally have maturities of greater than ten years.
In addition to U.S. Treasury obligations, the Fund may invest in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities which are supported by any of the following: (a) the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (b) the right of the issuer to borrow
an amount limited to a specific line of credit from the U.S. Treasury, (c)
the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government agency or
instrumentality, or (d) the credit of the instrumentality. (Examples of
agencies and instrumentalities are: Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing
Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the
United States, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit
Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, General Services Administration, Maritime
Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority, District of Columbia Armory
Board, Inter-American Development Bank, Asian-American Development Bank,
Student Loan Marketing Association, International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and
Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA".)) No assurance can be given
that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to such U.S.
Government agencies or instrumentalities described in (b), (c) and (d) in
the future, other than as set forth above, since it is not obligated to do
so by law.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements
with U.S. Government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve
Board, with member banks of the Federal Reserve System, or with such other
brokers or dealers that meet the credit guidelines of the Board of
Directors. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys a security from a seller
that has agreed to repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed upon
date and price. The Fund's resale price will be in excess of the purchase
price, reflecting an agreed upon interest rate. This interest rate is
effective for the period of time the Fund is invested in the agreement and
is not related to the coupon rate on the underlying security. Repurchase
agreements may also be viewed as a fully collateralized loan of money by the
Fund to the seller. The period of these repurchase agreements will usually
be short, from overnight to one week, and at no time will the Fund invest in
repurchase agreements for more than one year. The Fund will always receive
as collateral securities whose market value including accrued interest is,
and during the entire term of the agreement remains, at least equal to 100%
of the dollar amount invested by the Fund in each agreement, and the Fund
will make payment for such securities only upon physical delivery or upon
evidence of book entry transfer to the account of the Custodian. If the
seller defaults, the Fund might incur a loss if the value of the collateral
securing the repurchase agreement declines and might incur disposition costs
in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy
proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of a security which is
the subject of a repurchase agreement, realization upon the collateral by
the Fund may be delayed or limited. The Fund seeks to minimize the risk of
loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the
obligors under repurchase agreements, in accordance with the credit
guidelines of the Company's Board of Directors.
When-Issued Securities. New issues of U.S. Treasury and Government
securities are often offered on a when-issued basis. This means that
delivery and payment for the securities normally will take place
approximately 7 to 45 days after the date the buyer commits to purchase
them. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on
securities purchased on a when-issued basis are each fixed at the time the
buyer enters into the commitment. The Fund will make commitments to purchase
such securities only with the intention of actually acquiring the
securities, but the Fund may sell these securities or dispose of the
commitment before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable as a matter
of investment strategy. Cash or marketable high-grade debt securities equal
to the amount of the above commitments will be segregated on the Fund's
records. For the purpose of determining the adequacy of these securities the
segregated securities will be valued at market. If the market value of such
securities declines, additional cash or securities will be segregated on the
Fund's records on a daily basis so that the market value of the account will
equal the amount of such commitments by the Fund.
Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and the securities held by
the Fund are subject to changes in market value based upon the public's
perception of changes in the level of interest rates. Generally, the value
of such securities will fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates --
i.e., they will appreciate in value when interest rates decline and decrease
in value when interest rates rise. Therefore, if in order to achieve higher
interest income the Fund remains substantially fully invested at the same
time that it has purchased securities on a "when-issued" basis, there will
be a greater possibility of fluctuation in the Fund's net asset value.
When payment for when-issued securities is due, the Fund will meet its
obligations from then-available cash flow, the sale of segregated
securities, the sale of other securities and/or, although it would not
normally expect to do so, from the sale of the when-issued securities
themselves (which may have a market value greater or less than the Fund's
payment obligation). The sale of securities to meet such obligations carries
with it a greater potential for the realization of capital gains, which are
subject to federal income taxes.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund will not knowingly invest more than 15%
of the value of its net assets in illiquid securities, including time
deposits and repurchase agreements having maturities longer than seven days.
Securities that have readily available market quotations are not deemed
illiquid for purposes of this limitation (irrespective of any legal or
contractual restrictions on resale.) The Fund may invest in commercial
obligations issued in reliance on the so-called "private placement"
exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended ("Section 4(2) paper"). Section 4(2) paper is
restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws and generally
is sold to investors who agree that they are purchasing the paper for an
investment and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the
purchaser must be pursuant to registration or exemption therefrom. Section
4(2) paper is normally resold to other investors through or with the
assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in Section
4(2) paper, thus providing liquidity. The Fund may also purchase securities
that are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but that
can be sold to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under
that Act ("Rule 144A securities"). Liquidity determinations with respect to
Section 4(2) paper and Rule 144A securities will be made by the Board of
Directors or by Dreyfus pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of
Directors. The Board or Dreyfus will consider availability of reliable price
information and other relevant information in making such determinations.
Section 4(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities
laws, and generally is sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, that
agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment and not with a view to
public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be pursuant to
registration or an exemption therefrom. Section 4(2) paper normally is
resold to other institutional investors like the Fund through or with the
assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in the
Section 4(2) paper, thus providing liquidity. Rule 144A securities
generally must be sold to other qualified institutional buyers. If a
particular investment in Section 4(2) paper or Rule 144A securities is not
determined to be liquid, that investment will be included within the
percentage limitation on investment in illiquid securities. The ability to
sell Rule 144A securities to qualified institutional buyers is a recent
development and it is not possible to predict how this market will mature.
Investing in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the
level of Fund illiquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers
become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities from the
Fund or other holder.
Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. Mortgage pass-through certificates
are issued by governmental, government-related and private entities and are
backed by pools of mortgages (including those on residential properties and
commercial real estate). The mortgage loans are made by savings and loan
institutions, mortgage bankers, commercial banks and other lenders. The
securities are "pass-through" securities because they provide investors with
monthly payments of principal and interest which, in effect, are a
"pass-through" of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on
the underlying mortgages, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of
the pass-through certificates. The principal governmental issuer of such
securities is Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), which is a
wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing
and Urban Development. Government-related issuers include Freddie Mac and
Fannie Mae, both government sponsored corporations owned entirely by private
stockholders. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private
mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market
issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential and
commercial mortgage loans. Such issuers may be the originators of the
underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related
securities.
(1) GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates ("Ginnie Maes"). Ginnie
Maes represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgages that are insured
by the Federal Housing Administration or the Farmers Home Administration or
guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. Ginnie Maes entitle the holder to
receive all payments (including prepayments) of principal and interest owed
by the individual mortgagors, net of fees paid to GNMA and to the issuer
which assembles the mortgage pool and passes through the monthly mortgage
payments to the certificate holders (typically, a mortgage banking firm),
regardless of whether the individual mortgagor actually makes the payment.
Because payments are made to certificate holders regardless of whether
payments are actually received on the underlying mortgages, Ginnie Maes are
of the "modified pass-through" mortgage certificate type. The GNMA is
authorized to guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest on the
Ginnie Maes as securities backed by an eligible pool of mortgages. The GNMA
guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and
the GNMA has unlimited authority to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to
make payments under the guarantee. The market for Ginnie Maes is highly
liquid because of the size of the market and the active participation in the
secondary market of securities dealers and a variety of investors.
(2) Mortgage Participation Certificates guaranteed by FHLMC. Freddie
Macs represent interests in groups of specified first lien residential
conventional mortgages underwritten and owned by FHLMC. Freddie Mac 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. In cases where FHLMC
has not guaranteed 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. Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the United
States or by any of the Federal Home Loan Banks and do not constitute a debt
or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank. The
secondary market for Freddie Macs is highly liquid because of the size of
the market and the active participation in the secondary market of Freddie
Macs, securities dealers and a variety of investors.
(3) Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates guaranteed by FNMA
("Fannie Maes"). Fannie Maes represent an undivided interest in a pool of
conventional mortgage loans secured by first mortgages or deeds of trust, on
one family, or two to four family, residential properties. FNMA is
obligated to distribute scheduled monthly installments of principal and
interest on the mortgages in the pool, whether or not received, plus full
principal of any foreclosed or otherwise liquidated mortgages. The
obligation of FNMA under its guaranty is solely the obligation of FNMA and
is not backed by, nor entitled to, the full faith and credit of the United
States.
(4) Private issuer mortgage certificates are pass-through securities
structured in a similar fashion to Ginnie Maes, Fannie Maes and Freddie
Macs. Private issuer mortgage certificates are generally backed by
conventional single family, multi-family and commercial mortgages. Private
issuer mortgage certificates typically are not guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, but generally have some form
of credit support in the form of over-collateralization, pool insurance or
other form of credit enhancement.
The market value of mortgage-related securities depends on, among other
things, the level of interest rates, the certificates' coupon rates and the
payment history of the mortgagors of the underlying mortgages.
Management Policies
The Fund engages, except as noted, in the following practices in
furtherance of its investment objective.
Loans of Fund Securities. The Fund has authority to lend its portfolio
securities provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral
consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents
adjusted daily to make a market value at least equal to the current market
value of these securities loaned; (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan
and regain the securities loaned; (3) the Fund will receive any interest or
dividends paid on the loaned securities; and (4) the aggregate market value
of securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total
assets of the Fund. In addition, it is anticipated that the Fund may share
with the borrower some of the income received on the collateral for the loan
or that it will be paid a premium for the loan. In determining whether to
lend securities, the Fund considers all relevant factors and circumstances
including the creditworthiness of the borrower.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into reverse
repurchase agreements to meet redemption requests where the liquidation of
portfolio securities is deemed by the Fund to be inconvenient or
disadvantageous. A reverse repurchase agreement is a transaction whereby the
Fund transfers possession of a portfolio security to a bank or broker-dealer
in return for a percentage of the portfolio security's market value. The
Fund retains record ownership of the security involved including the right
to receive interest and principal payments. At an agreed upon future date,
the Fund repurchases the security by paying an agreed upon purchase price
plus interest. Cash or liquid high-grade debt obligations of the Fund equal
in value to the repurchase price including any accrued interest will be
maintained in a segregated account while a reverse repurchase agreement is
in effect.
Master/Feeder Option. The Company may in the future seek to achieve
the Fund's investment objective by investing all of the Fund's net
investable assets in another investment company having the same investment
objective and substantially the same investment policies and restrictions as
those applicable to the Fund. Shareholders of the Fund will be given at
least 30 days' prior notice of any such investment. Such investment would
be made only if the Company's Board of Directors determines it to be in the
best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In making that
determination, the Company's Board of Directors will consider, among other
things, the benefits to shareholders and/or the opportunity to reduce costs
and achieve operational efficiency. Although the Fund believes that the
Company's Board of Directors will not approve an arrangement that is likely
to result in higher costs, no assurance is given that costs will be
materially reduced if this option is implemented.
Investment Restrictions
The following limitations have been adopted by the Fund. The Fund may
not change any of these fundamental investment limitations without the
consent of: (a) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting of
shareholders duly called if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (b) more than 50%
of the outstanding shares of the Fund, whichever is less. The Fund may not:
1. Purchase any securities which would cause more than 25% of the
value of the Fund's total assets at the time of such purchase to be invested
in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal
activities in the same industry. (For purposes of this limitation, U.S.
Government securities, and state or municipal governments and their
political subdivisions are not considered members of any industry. In
addition, this limitation does not apply to investments in domestic banks,
including U.S. branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S.
banks.)
2. Borrow money or issue senior securities as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), except that (a)
the Fund may borrow money in an amount not exceeding one-third of the Fund's
total assets at the time of such borrowings, and (b) the Fund may issue
multiple classes of shares. The purchase or sale of futures contracts and
related options shall not be considered to involve the borrowing of money or
issuance of senior securities.
3. Purchase with respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets securities
of any one issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, (a) more
than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of
that issuer, or (b) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of that issuer.
4. Make loans or lend securities, if as a result thereof more than
one-third of the Fund's total assets would be subject to all such loans. For
purposes of this limitation debt instruments and repurchase agreements shall
not be treated as loans.
5. Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the
Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real
estate, including mortgage loans, or securities of companies that engage in
real estate business or invest or deal in real estate or interests therein).
6. Underwrite securities issued by any other person, except to the
extent that the purchase of securities and later disposition of such
securities in accordance with the Fund's investment program may be deemed an
underwriting.
7. Purchase or sell commodities except that the Fund may enter into
futures contracts and related options, forward currency contracts and other
similar instruments.
The Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment policy or
limitation, invest all of its investable assets in securities of a single
open-end management investment company with substantially the same
investment objective, policies and limitations as the Fund.
The Fund has adopted the following additional non-fundamental
restrictions. These non-fundamental restrictions may be changed without
shareholder approval, in compliance with applicable law and regulatory
policy.
1. The Fund shall not sell securities short, unless it owns or has
the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the
securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts
and options are not deemed to constitute selling short.
2. The Fund shall not purchase securities on margin, except that the
Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance
of transactions, and provided that margin payments in connection with
futures contracts and options shall not constitute purchasing securities on
margin.
3. The Fund shall not purchase oil, gas or mineral leases.
4. The Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any issuer
if the officers or Directors of the Fund, its advisers, or managers, owning
beneficially more than one half of one percent of the securities of such
issuer, together own beneficially more than 5% of such securities.
5. The Fund will not purchase securities of issuers (other than
securities issued or guaranteed by domestic or foreign governments or
political subdivisions thereof), including their predecessors, that have
been in operation for less than three years, if by reason thereof, the value
of the Fund's investment in securities would exceed 5% of the Fund's total
assets. For purposes of this limitation, sponsors, general partners,
guarantors and originators of underlying assets may be treated as the issuer
of a security.
6. The Fund will invest no more than 15% of the value of its net
assets in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements with
remaining maturities in excess of seven days, time deposits with maturities
in excess of seven days and other securities which are not readily
marketable. For purposes of this limitation, illiquid securities shall not
include Section 4(2) paper and securities which may be resold under Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933, provided that the Board of Directors,
or its delegate, determines that such securities are liquid based upon the
trading markets for the specific security.
7. The Fund may not invest in securities of other investment
companies, except as they may be acquired as part of a merger, consolidation
or acquisition of assets and except to the extent otherwise permitted by the
1940 Act.
8. The Fund shall not purchase any security while borrowings
representing more than 5% of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.
9. The Fund will not purchase warrants if at the time of such
purchase: (a) more than 5% of the value of the Fund's assets would be
invested in warrants, or (b) more than 2% of the value of the Fund's assets
would be invested in warrants that are not listed on the New York or
American Stock Exchange (for purposes of this limitation, warrants acquired
by the Fund in units or attached to securities will be deemed to have no
value).
10. The Fund will not purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads and any
combination thereof if by reason thereof the value of its aggregate
investment in such classes of securities would exceed 5% of its total assets
except that: this limitation shall not apply to standby commitments, and
this limitation shall not apply to the Fund's transactions in futures
contracts and options.
As an operating policy, the Fund will not invest more than 25% of the
value of its total assets, at the time of such purchase in domestic banks,
including U.S. branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks.
The Company's Board of Directors may change this policy without shareholder
approval. Notice will be given to shareholders if this policy is changed by
the Board.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following shareholder(s) owned of record 5% or more of the
outstanding Investor shares of the Fund at February 9, 1998: Mac & Co.
Mutual Fund Operations, PO Box 3198, Pittsburgh, PA. 15230-3198: 78%
record; Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette Securities Corporation Inc., PO Box 2052,
Jersey City, NJ 07303-9998: 9% record.
The following shareholder(s) owned of record 5% or more of the
outstanding Investor shares of the Fund at February 9, 1998: Mac & Co.
Mutul Funds Operations, PO Box 3198, Pittsburgh, PA. 15230-3198: 64%
record; Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co., 1 Cabot Road, Hedfored, MA 02155-
5141: 19% record.
FEDERAL LAW AFFECTING MELLON BANK
The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 prohibits national banks from engaging
in the business of underwriting, selling or distributing securities and
prohibits a member bank of the Federal Reserve System from having certain
affiliations with an entity engaged principally in that business. The
activities of Mellon Bank, N.A. ("Mellon Bank") in informing its customers
of, and performing, investment and redemption services in connection with
the Fund, and in providing services to the Fund as custodian, as well as
Dreyfus' investment advisory activities, may raise issues under these
provisions. Mellon Bank has been advised by counsel that the activities
contemplated under these arrangements are consistent with its statutory and
regulatory obligations.
Changes in either federal or state statutes and regulations relating to
the permissible activities of banks and their subsidiaries or affiliates, as
well as further judicial or administrative decisions or interpretations of
such future statutes and regulations, could prevent Mellon Bank or Dreyfus
from continuing to perform all or a part of the above services for its
customers and/or the Fund. If Mellon Bank or Dreyfus were prohibited from
serving the Fund in any of its present capacities, the Board of Directors
would seek an alternative provider(s) of such services.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Company has a Board composed of twelve Directors which supervises
the Fund's investment activities and reviews contractual arrangements with
companies that provide the Fund with services. The following lists the
Directors and officers and their positions with the Company and their
present and principal occupations during the past five years. Each Director
who is an "interested person" of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) is
indicated by an asterisk (*). Each of the Directors also serves as a
Trustee of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust and The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free
Municipal Funds (collectively, with the Company, the "Dreyfus/Laurel Funds")
and of Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund.
Directors of the Company
o+RUTH MARIE ADAMS. Director of the Company; Professor of English and Vice
President Emeritus, Dartmouth College; Senator, United Chapters of Phi
Beta Kappa; Trustee, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; from
November 1995 to January 1997, Director, Access Capital Strategic
Community Investment Fund, Inc. - Institutional Investment Portfolio.
Age: 84 years old. Address: 1026 Kendal Lyme Road, Hanover, New
Hampshire 03755.
o+FRANCIS P. BRENNAN. Chairman of the Board of Directors and Assistant
Treasurer of the Company; Director and Chairman, Massachusetts Business
Development Corp.; and from November 1995 to January 1997, Director,
Access Capital Strategic Community Investment Fund, Inc. - Bank
Portfolio. Age: 81 years old. Address: Massachusetts Business
Development Corp., 50 Milk Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
o+JOSEPH S. DIMARTINO, Director of the Company since February 1995. Since
January 1995, Mr. DiMartino has served as Chairman of the Board for
various funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. He is also Chairman of
the Board of Staffing Resources, Inc., a temporary placement agency.
Mr. DiMartino also serves as 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, Noel Group, Inc., a venture capital company, Carlyle
Industries, Inc. (formerly Belding Heminway Company, Inc.), a button
packager and distributor, and Curtis Industries, Inc., a national
distributor of security products, chemicals, and automotive and other
hardware. Mr. DiMartino is also a Board member of 152 other funds in
the Dreyfus Family of Funds. From November 1995 to January 1997,
Director, Access Capital Strategic Community Investment Fund, Inc. -
Institutional Investment Portfolio and Bank Portfolio. For more than
five years prior to January 1995, he was President, a director and,
until August 24, 1994, Chief Operating Officer of Dreyfus and Executive
Vice President and a director of Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Dreyfus. From August 1994 to December 31, 1994, he
was a director of Mellon Bank Corporation. Age: 55 years old.
Address: 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
o+JAMES M. FITZGIBBONS. Director of the Company; Chairman, Howes Leather
Company, Inc.; Director, Fiduciary Trust Company; Chairman, CEO and
Director, Fieldcrest-Cannon Inc.; Director, Lumber Mutual Insurance
Company; Director, Barrett Resources, Inc.; from November 1995 to
January 1997, Director, Access Capital Strategic Community Investment
Fund, Inc. - Bank Portfolio. Age: 64 years old. Address: 40 Norfolk
Road, Brookline, Massachusetts 02167.
o*J. TOMLINSON FORT. Director of the Company; Partner, Reed, Smith, Shaw &
McClay (law firm). From November 1995 to January 1997, Director,
Access Capital Strategic Community Investment Fund, Inc. - Bank
Portfolio. Age: 70 years old. Address: 204 Woodcock Drive,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15215.
o+ARTHUR L. GOESCHEL. Director of the Company; Director, Calgon Carbon
Corporation; Director, Cerex Corporation; Director, National Picture
Frame Corporation; former Chairman of the Board and Director, Rexene
Corporation; Chairman of the Board and Director, Tetra Corporation 1991-
1993; Director, Medalist Corporation 1992-1993. From November 1995 to
January 1997, Director, Access Capital Strategic Community Investment
Fund, Inc. - Institutional Investment Portfolio. Age: 76 years old.
Address: Way Hallow Road and Woodland Road, Sewickley, Pennsylvania
15143.
o+KENNETH A. HIMMEL. Director of the Company; former Director, The Boston
Company, Inc. ("TBC") and Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company;
President and Chief Executive Officer, Himmel & Co., Inc.; Vice
Chairman, Sutton Place Gourmet, Inc.; Managing Partner, Franklin
Federal Partners. From November 1995 to January 1997, Director, Access
Capital Strategic Community Investment Fund, Inc. - Bank Portfolio.
Age: 52 years old. Address: The Palladium Co., 625 Madison Avenue,
9th Floor, New York, New York 10022.
o*ARCH S. JEFFERY. Director of the Company; Financial Consultant. From
November 1995 to January 1997, Director, Access Capital Strategic
Community Investment Fund, Inc. - Institutional Investment Portfolio.
Age: 81 years old. Address: 1817 Foxcroft Lane, Unit 306, Allison
Park, Pennsylvania 15101.
o+STEPHEN J. LOCKWOOD. Director of the Company; President and CEO, LDG
Management Company Inc.; CEO, LDG Reinsurance Underwriters, SRRF
Management Inc. and Medical Reinsurance Underwriters Inc.; from
November 1995 to January 1997, Director, Access Capital Strategic
Community Investment Fund, Inc. - Institutional Investment Portfolio.
Age: 51 years old. Address: 401 Edgewater Place, Wakefield,
Massachusetts 01880.
o+JOHN J. SCIULLO. Director of the Company; Dean Emeritus and Professor of
Law, Duquesne University Law School; Director, Urban Redevelopment
Authority of Pittsburgh; from November 1995 to January 1997, Director,
Access Capital Strategic Community Investment Fund, Inc. -
Institutional Investment Portfolio. Age: 67 years old. Address: 321
Gross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224.
o+ROSLYN M. WATSON. Director of the Company; Principal, Watson Ventures,
Inc., Director, American Express Centurion Bank; Director,
Harvard/Pilgrim Community Health Plan, Inc.; from November 1995 to
January 1997, Director, Access Capital Strategic Community Investment
Fund, Inc. - Bank Portfolio; Director, Massachusetts Electric Company;
Director, the Hymans Foundation, Inc., prior to February, 1993; Real
Estate Development Project Manager and Vice President, The Gunwyn
Company. Age: 49 years old. Address: 25 Braddock Park, Boston,
Massachusetts 02116-5816.
o+BENAREE PRATT WILEY. Director of the Company; President and CEO of The
Partnership, an organization dedicated to increasing the representation
of African Americans in positions of leadership, influence and decision-
making in Boston, MA; Trustee, Boston College; Trustee, WGBH
Educational Foundation; Trustee, Children's Hospital; Director, The
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce; Director, The First Albany
Companies, Inc.; from April 1995 to March 1998, Director, TBC, an
affiliate of Dreyfus. Age: 52 years old. Address: 334 Boylston
Street, Suite 400, Boston, Massachusetts.
________________________________
* "Interested person" of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act.
o Member of the Audit Committee.
+ Member of the Nominating Committee.
Officers of the Company
#MARGARET W. CHAMBERS. Vice President and Secretary of the Company. Senior
Vice President and General Counsel of Funds Distributor, Inc. From
August 1996 to March 1998, she was Vice President and Assistant General
Counsel for Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. From January 1986 to July
1996, she was an associate with the law firm of Ropes & Gray. Age: 38
years old.
#MARIE E. CONNOLLY. President and Treasurer of the Company. President,
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and a director of the
Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc., the ultimate parent of which
is Boston Institutional Group, Inc. Age: 41 years old.
#DOUGLAS C. CONROY. Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Company.
Assistant Vice President of Funds Distributor, Inc. From April 1993 to
January 1995, he was a Senior Fund Accountant for Investors Bank &
Trust Company. Age: 29 years old.
#CHRISTOPHER J. KELLEY. Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the
Company. Vice President and Senior Associate General Counsel of Funds
Distributor, Inc. From April 1994 to July 1996, Mr. Kelley was
Assistant Counsel at Forum Financial Group. From October 1992 to March
1994, Mr. Kelley was employed by Putnam Investments in legal and
compliance capacities. Age: 33 years old.
#KATHLEEN K. MORRISEY. Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the
Company. Manager of Treasury Services Administration of Funds
Distributor, Inc. From July 1994 to November 1995, she was a Fund
Accountant for Investors Bank & Trust Company. Age: 26 years old.
#MARY A. NELSON. Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the Company.
Vice President of the Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc. From
September 1989 to July 1994, she was an Assistant Vice President and
Client Manager for TBC. Age: 34 years old.
#MICHAEL S. PETRUCELLI. Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant
Secretary of the Company. Senior Vice President and director of
Strategic Client Initiatives of Funds Distributor, Inc. From December
1989 through November 1996, he was employed by GE Investment Services
where he held various financial, business development and compliance
positions. He also served as Treasurer of the GE Funds and as Director
of GE Investment Services. Age: 37 years old.
#STEPHANIE D. PIERCE. Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant
Secretary of the Company. Vice President and Client Development
Manager of Funds Distributor, Inc. From April 1997 to March 1998, she
was employed as a Relationship Manager with Citibank, N.A. From August
1995 to April 1997, she was an Assistant Vice President with Hudson
Valley Bank, and from September 1990 to August 1995, she was a Second
Vice President with Chase Manhattan Bank. Age: 30 years old.
#GEORGE A. RIO. Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the Company.
Executive Vice President and Client Service Director of Funds
Distributor, Inc. From June 1995 to March 1998, he was Senior Vice
President and Senior Key Account Manager for Putnam Mutual Funds. From
May 1994 to June 1995, he was Director of Business Development for
First Data Corporation. From September 1983 to May 1994, he was Senior
Vice President and Manager of Client Services and Director of Internal
Audit at TBC. Age: 43 years old.
#JOSEPH F. TOWER, III. Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the
Company. Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
of the Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc. From 1988 to August
1994, he was employed by TBC where he held various management positions
in the Corporate Finance and Treasury areas. Age: 36 years old.
#ELBA VASQUEZ. Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Company.
Assistant Vice President of Funds Distributor, Inc. She has been an
employee since May 1996 as a Sales Associate in the distribution of
World Equity Benchmark Shares ("WEBS"). From March 1990 to May 1996,
she was employed by U.S. Trust Company of New York. As an officer of
U.S. Trust, she held various positions in the sales and marketing of
their proprietary family of mutual funds. Age: 37 years old.
The address of each Officer of the Company is 200 Park Avenue, New
York, New York 10166.
________________
# Officer also serves as an officer for other investment companies advised
by Dreyfus, including The Dreyfus/Laurel Trust, The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-
Free Municipal Funds and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund.
The officers and Directors of the Company as a group owned beneficially
approximately 2% of the total shares of the Fund outstanding as of February
9, 1998.
No officer or employee of the Distributor (or of any parent, subsidiary
or affiliate thereof) receives any compensation from the Company for serving
as an officer or Director of the Company. In addition, no officer or
employee of Dreyfus (or of any parent, subsidiary or affiliate thereof)
serves as an officer or Director of the Company. Effective July 1, 1998,
the Dreyfus/Laurel Funds pay each Director/Trustee who is not an "interested
person" of the Company (as defined in the Act), $40,000 per annum, plus
$5,000 per joint Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Board meeting attended, $2,000 for
separate committee meetings attended which are not held in conjunction with
a regularly scheduled board meeting and $500 for Board meetings and separate
committee meetings attended that are conducted by telephone. The
Dreyfus/Laurel Funds also reimburse each Director/Trustee who is not an
"interested person" of the Company (as defined in the Act), for travel and
out-of-pocket expenses. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional
25% of such compensation (with the exception of reimbursable amounts). In
the event that there is a joint committee meeting of the Dreyfus/Laurel
Funds and the Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund, the $2,000 fee will be
allocated between the Dreyfus/Laurel Funds and the Dreyfus High Yield
Strategies Fund.
Prior to July 1, 1998, the Dreyfus/Laurel Funds paid each
Director/Trustee who was not an "interested person" of the Company (as
defined in the Act), $27,000 per annum (and an additional $25,000 for the
Chairman of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Dreyfus/Laurel Funds) and
$1,000 per joint Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Board meeting attended, plus $750 per
joint Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Audit Committee meeting attended, and reimbursed
each such Director/Trustee for travel and out-of-pocket expenses (the
"Former Compensation Structure").
The aggregate amount of fees and expenses received by each current
Director (with the exception of Ms. Wiley who was not a Director of the
Company as of October 31, 1997) from the Company for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1997 and by all other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for
which such person is a Board member for the year ended December 31, 1997
pursuant to the Former Compensation Structure, were as follows:
Total Compensation From the
Aggregate Compensation Company and Fund Complex
Name of Board Member From the Company # Paid to Board Member****
Ruth M. Adams $10,000 $ 31,500
Francis P. Brennan* $19,833 $ 63,750
Joseph S. DiMartino** None $517,075***
James M. Fitzgibbons $10,583 $ 31,500
J. Tomlinson Fort** None None
Arthur L. Goeschel $11,500 $ 37,500
Kenneth A. Himmel $10,167 $ 32,500
Arch S. Jeffery** None None
Stephen J. Lockwood $11,167 $ 33,250
John J. Sciullo $11,167 $ 32,500
Roslyn M. Watson $11,167 $ 32,500
# Amounts required to be paid by the Company directly to the non-
interested Directors, that would be applied to offset a portion of
the management fee payable to Dreyfus, are in fact paid directly by
Dreyfus to the non-interested Directors. Amount does not include
reimbursed expenses for attending Board meetings, which amounted to
$14,973 for the Company.
* Compensation of Francis Brennan includes $25,000 paid by the
Dreyfus/Laurel Funds to be Chairman of the Board pursuant to the
Former Compensation Structure.
** Joseph S. DiMartino, J. Tomlinson Fort and Arch S. Jeffery are paid
directly by Dreyfus for serving as Board members of the Company and
the funds in the Dreyfus/Laurel Funds. For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1997, the aggregate amount of fees and expenses received
by Joseph DiMartino, J. Tomlinson Fort and Arch S. Jeffery from
Dreyfus for serving as a Board member of the Company were $11,833,
$11,833 and $11,500, respectively, and for serving as a Board member
of all funds in the Dreyfus/Laurel Funds (including the Company) were
$35,500, $35,500 and $34,500, respectively. In addition, Dreyfus
reimbursed Messrs. DiMartino, Fort and Jeffery a total of $4,494 for
expenses attributable to the Company's Board meetings which is not
included in the $14,973 amount in note # above.
***Actual amount for the year ending December 31, 1997.
****The Dreyfus Family of Funds consists of 152 mutual funds.
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Management of the Fund."
Management Agreement. Dreyfus serves as the investment manager for the
Fund pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with the Company dated
April 4, 1994, transferred to Dreyfus as of October 17, 1994 (the
"Management Agreement"). Pursuant to the Management Agreement, Dreyfus
provides, or arranges for one or more third parties to provide, investment
advisory, administrative, custody, fund accounting and transfer agency
services to the Fund. As investment manager, Dreyfus manages the Fund by
making investment decisions based on the Fund's investment objective,
policies and restrictions. The Management Agreement is subject to review
and approval at least annually by the Board of Directors.
The Management Agreement will continue from year to year provided that
a majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Company
and either a majority of all Directors or a majority (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the shareholders of the Fund approve its continuance. The
Management Agreement was last approved by the Board of Directors on January
28, 1998, to continue until April 4, 1999. The Company may terminate the
Management Agreement upon the vote of a majority of the Board of Directors
or upon the vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities
on sixty (60) days' written notice to Dreyfus. Dreyfus may terminate the
Management Agreement upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Company.
The Management Agreement will terminate immediately and automatically upon
its assignment.
The following persons are officers and/or directors of Dreyfus: W.
Keith Smith, Chairman of the Board; Christopher M. Condron, President, Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and a director; Stephen E.
Canter, Vice Chairman, Chief Investment Officer and a director; Lawrence S.
Kash, Vice Chairman-Distribution and a director; J. David Officer, Vice
Chairman and a director; Ronald P. O'Hanley III, Vice Chairman; William T.
Sandalls, Jr., Executive Vice President; Mark N. Jacobs, Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary; Patrice M. Kozlowski, Vice President-
Corporate Communications; Mary Beth Leibig, Vice President-Human Resources;
Andrew S. Wasser, Vice President-Information Systems; Wendy Strutt, Vice
President; Richard Terres, Vice President; William H. Maresca, Controller;
James Bitetto, Assistant Secretary; Steven F. Newman, Assistant Secretary;
and Mandell L. Berman, Burton C. Borgelt, Frank V. Cahouet and Richard F.
Syron, directors.
For the last three fiscal years, the Fund has had the following
expenses:
For the Fiscal Years Ended October 31,
1997 1996 1995
Management fees $114,334 $69,108 $25,294
Effective August 15, 1997, the Management Agreement was amended to
reflect a reduction in the annual management fee payable by the Fund to
Dreyfus from .40 of 1% to .15 of 1% of the value of the Fund's average daily
net assets.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Buy Fund Shares."
The Distributor. The Distributor serves as the Fund's distributor
pursuant to an agreement which is renewable annually. The Distributor also
acts as distributor for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds and
for certain other investment companies.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. Dreyfus TeleTransfer purchase orders
may be made at any time. Purchase orders received by 4:00 p.m., New York
time, on any business day that Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., the Fund's transfer
and dividend disbursing agent (the "Transfer Agent"), and the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") 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
business day the Transfer Agent and the NYSE are open for business, or
orders made on Saturday, Sunday or any Fund holiday (e.g., when the NYSE is
not open for business), will be credited to the shareholder's Fund account
on the second bank business day following such purchase order. To qualify
to use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, the initial payment for purchase
of Fund shares must be drawn on, and redemption proceeds paid to, the same
bank and account as are designated on the Account Application or Shareholder
Services Form on file. If the proceeds of a particular redemption are to be
in writing and signature guaranteed. See "Redemption of Fund Shares--
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege.
Reopening an Account. An investor may reopen an account with a minimum
investment of $100 without filing a new Account Application during the
calendar year in which the account is closed or during the following
calendar year, provided the information on the old Account Application is
still applicable.
In-Kind Purchases. If the following conditions are satisfied, the Fund
may at its discretion, permit the purchase of shares through an "in-kind"
exchange of securities. Any securities exchanged must meet the investment
objective, policies and limitations of the Fund, must have a readily
ascertainable market value, must be liquid and must not be subject to
restrictions on resale. The market value of any securities exchanged, plus
any cash, must be at least equal to $25,000. Shares purchased in exchange
for securities generally cannot be redeemed for fifteen days following the
exchange in order to allow time for the transfer to settle.
The basis of the exchange will depend upon the relative net asset value
of the shares purchased and securities exchanged. Securities accepted by
the Fund will be valued in the same manner as the Fund values its assets.
Any interest earned on the securities following their delivery to the Fund
and prior to the exchange will be considered in valuing the securities. All
interest, dividends, subscription or other rights attached to the securities
become the property of the Fund, along with the securities. For further
information about "in-kind" purchases, call 1-800-645-6561.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Distribution Plan
(Investor Shares Only)."
Investor shares are subject to fees for distribution and shareholder
services.
Distribution Plan--Investor Shares. The Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") has adopted Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the
"Rule") regulating the circumstances under which investment companies such
as the Company may, directly or indirectly, bear the expenses of
distributing their shares. The Rule defines distribution expenses to
include expenditures for "any activity which is primarily intended to result
in the sale of fund shares." The Rule, among other things, provides that an
investment company may bear such expenses only pursuant to a plan adopted in
accordance with the Rule. With respect to the Investor shares of the Fund,
the Company has adopted a Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), and may enter into
Agreements with Agents pursuant to its Plan.
Under the Plan, the Fund may spend annually up to 0.25% of its average
daily net assets attributable to Investor shares for costs and expenses
incurred in connection with the distribution of, and shareholder servicing
with respect to, the Fund's Investor shares.
The Plan provides that a report of the amounts expended under the Plan,
and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to
the Company's Directors for their review at least quarterly. In addition,
the Plan provides that it may not be amended to increase materially the
costs which the Fund may bear for distribution pursuant to the Plan without
approval of the Fund's shareholders, and that other material amendments of
the Plan must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Directors and of
the Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Company (as defined in
the 1940 Act) and who do not have any direct or indirect financial interest
in the operation of the Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of considering such amendments. The Plan is subject to annual
approval by the entire Board of Directors and by the Directors who are
neither interested persons nor have any direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The Plan was so approved by
the Directors at a meeting held on January 28, 1998. The Plan is
terminable, as to the Fund's Investor shares, at any time by vote of a
majority of the Directors who are not interested persons and have no direct
or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or by vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding Investor shares of the Fund.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, the Fund paid the
Distributor and Dreyfus Service Corporation $156 and $34, respectively,
pursuant to the Plan with respect to Investor shares.
REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Redeem Fund
Shares."
Wire Redemption Privilege. By using this Privilege, the investor
authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on wire, telephone or letter redemption
instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be the
investor, or a representative of the investor's Agent, and reasonably
believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the Fund will
initiate payment for shares redeemed pursuant to this Privilege on the next
business day after receipt if the Transfer Agent receives the redemption
request in proper form. Redemption proceeds will be transferred by Federal
Reserve wire only to the commercial bank account specified by the investor
on the Account Application or Shareholder Services Form. Redemption
proceeds, if wired, must be in the amount of $1,000 or more and will be
wired to the investor's account at the bank of record designated in the
investor's file at the Transfer Agent, if the investor's bank is a member of
the Federal Reserve System, or to a correspondent bank if the investor's
bank is not a member. Fees ordinarily are imposed by such bank and usually
are borne by the investor. Immediate notification by the correspondent bank
to the investor's bank is necessary to avoid a delay in crediting the funds
to the investor's bank account.
Investors with access to telegraphic equipment 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
Investors who do not have direct access to telegraphic equipment may
have the wire transmitted by contacting a TRT Cables operator at 1-800-654-
7171, toll free. Investors should advise the operator that the above
transmittal code must be used and should also inform the operator of the
Transfer Agent's answer back sign.
To change the commercial bank or account designated to receive
redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent.
This request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature
guaranteed as described below under "Stock Certificates; Signatures."
Stock Certificates; Signatures. Any certificates representing Fund
shares to be redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request.
Written redemption requests must be signed by each shareholder, including
each holder of a joint account, and each signature must be guaranteed.
Signatures on endorsed certificates submitted for redemption also must be
guaranteed. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards and procedures
pursuant to which signature-guarantees in proper form generally will be
accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national
securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies
and savings associations as well as from participants in the New York Stock
Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program ("STAMP") and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program.
Guarantees must be signed by an authorized signatory of the guarantor and
"Signature-Guaranteed" must appear with the signature. The Transfer Agent
may request additional documentation from corporations, executors,
administrators, trustees or guardians, and may accept other suitable
verification arrangements from foreign investors, such as consular
verification. For more information with respect to signature-guarantees,
please call one of the telephone numbers listed on the cover.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. Investors should be aware that if they
have selected the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, any request for a wire
redemption will be effected as a Dreyfus TeleTransfer transaction through
the ACH system unless more prompt transmittal specifically is requested.
Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in the investor's account at an ACH
member bank ordinarily two business days after receipt of the redemption
request. See "Purchase of Fund Shares--Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Redemption Commitment. The Fund has committed itself to pay in cash
all redemption requests by any shareholder of record, limited in amount
during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the
Fund's net assets at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is
irrevocable without the prior approval of the SEC. In the case of requests
for redemptions in excess of such amount, the Company's 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
portfolio is valued. If the recipient sold such securities, brokerage
charges might be incurred.
Suspension of Redemptions. The right of redemption may be suspended or
the date of payment postponed (a) during any period when the NYSE is closed
(other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when trading in the
markets the Fund ordinarily utilizes is restricted, or when an emergency
exists as determined by the SEC 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 SEC by order may permit to protect the
Fund's shareholders.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Services."
Fund Exchanges. Shares of any Class of the Fund may be exchanged for
shares of certain other funds advised or administered by Dreyfus. Shares of
the funds purchased by exchange will be purchased on the basis of relative
net asset value per share as follows:
A. Exchanges for shares of funds that are 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 other 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"), provided that, if the sales load applicable
to the Offered Shares exceeds the maximum sales load that could
have been imposed in connection with the Purchased Shares (at the
time the Purchased Shares were acquired), without giving effect to
any reduced loads, the difference will be deducted.
To accomplish an exchange under item D above, shareholders must notify
the Transfer Agent of their prior ownership of fund shares and their account
number.
To request an exchange, an investor, or an investor's Agent acting on
the investor's behalf, must give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent
in writing or by telephone. The ability to issue exchange instructions by
telephone is given to all Fund shareholders automatically, unless the
investor checks the applicable "No" box on the Account Application,
indicating that the investor specifically refuses this Privilege. By using
the Telephone Exchange Privilege, the investor authorizes the Transfer Agent
to act on telephonic instructions (including over The Dreyfus Touchr
automated telephone system) from any person representing himself or herself
to be the investor, or a representative of the investor's 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.
Exchanges of Fund shares 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 shares of the fund into which the exchange is being made. The
minimum initial investment is generally $750 for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh
Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse,
Roth IRAs, IRAs set up under a Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SEP-IRAs"
and rollover IRAs), and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant, and $500
for Dreyfus-sponsored Education IRAs. (Different minimum initial investment
requirements apply with respect to the Fund's BASIC shares. See "How to Buy
Fund Shares - General" in the Fund's Prospectus.) To exchange shares held
in corporate plans, 403(b)(7) Plans and SEP-IRAs with more than one
participant, the minimum initial investment is generally $100 if the plan
has at least $2,500 invested among the funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds.
To exchange shares held in a personal retirement plan, the shares exchanged
must have a current value of at least $100.
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege. The Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege
permits an investor to purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares
of certain other eligible funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. This
Privilege is available only for existing accounts. With respect to Fund
shares held by a Retirement Plan, exchanges may be made only between the
investor's Retirement Plan account in one fund and such investor's
Retirement Plan account in another fund. 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. An investor
will be notified if the investor's account falls below the amount designated
to be exchanged under this Privilege. In this case, an investor's account
will fall to zero unless additional investments are made in excess of the
designated amount prior to the next Dreyfus 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.
Fund Exchanges and Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege are available to
shareholders resident in any state in which shares of the fund being
acquired may legally be sold. Shares may be exchanged only between accounts
having identical names and other identifying designations.
Shareholder Services Forms and prospectuses of the other funds may be
obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561. The Fund reserves the right to reject
any exchange request in whole or in part. The Fund Exchange service or
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time
upon notice to shareholders.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits an
investor with a $5,000 minimum account to request withdrawal of a specified
dollar amount (minimum of $50) on either a monthly or quarterly basis.
Withdrawal payments are the proceeds from sales of Fund shares, not the
yield on the shares. If withdrawal payments exceed reinvested dividends and
distributions, the investor's shares will be reduced and eventually may be
depleted. Automatic Withdrawal may be terminated at any time by the
investor, the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates
have been issued may not be redeemed through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Dreyfus Dividend Sweep. Dreyfus Dividend Sweep allows investors to
invest automatically their dividends or dividends and capital gain
distributions, if any, from the Fund in shares of certain other funds in the
Dreyfus Family of Funds of which the investor is a shareholder. Shares of
other funds purchased pursuant to this Privilege will be purchased on the
basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:
A. Dividends and other distributions paid by a fund may be
invested without imposition of a sales load in shares of other
funds that are offered without a sales load.
B. Dividends and other 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 other distributions paid by a fund which
charges a sales load may be invested in shares of other funds sold
with a sales load (referred to herein as "Offered Shares"),
provided that, 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 other distributions paid by a fund may be
invested in shares of other funds that impose a contingent
deferred sales charge ("CDSC") and the applicable CDSC, if any,
will be imposed upon redemption of such shares.
Corporate Pension/Profit-Sharing and Retirement Plans. The Fund makes
available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and profit-sharing
plans including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the Fund makes
available Keogh Plans, IRAs, (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-
working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, IRA rollover accounts, and with respect
to Investor shares, Education IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support
services also are available.
Investors who wish to purchase Fund shares in conjunction with a Keogh
Plan, a 403(b)(7) Plan or an IRA, including an SEP-IRA, may request from the
Distributor forms for adoption of such plans.
The entity acting as custodian for Keogh Plans, 403(b)(7) Plans or IRAs
may charge a fee, payment of which could require the liquidation of shares.
All fees charged are described in the appropriate form.
Shares may be purchased in connection with these plans only by direct
remittance to the entity acting as custodian. Purchases for these plans may
not be made in advance of receipt of funds.
The minimum initial investment for corporate plans, Salary Reduction
Plans, 403(b)(7) Plans and SEP-IRAs with more than one participant, is
$2,500 with no minimum on subsequent purchases. The minimum initial
investment is $750 for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs, (including
regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs and
rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant and $500 for
Dreyfus-sponsored Education IRAs (with respect to Investor shares), with no
minimum on subsequent purchases.
The investor should read the Prototype Retirement Plan and the
appropriate form of Custodial Agreement for further details on eligibility,
service fees and tax implications, and should consult a tax adviser.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Buy Fund Shares."
Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which
market quotations are not readily available, or which are not valued by a
pricing service approved by the Board of Directors, are valued at fair value
as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors will review the method of valuation on a current basis. In making
their good faith valuation of restricted securities, the Board 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
it 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 NYSE is currently scheduled to be closed are: New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Dividends, Other
Distributions and Taxes."
The term "regulated investment company" does not imply the supervision
of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency.
General. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company
("RIC") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
the Fund--which is treated as a separate corporation for federal tax
purposes--(1) must distribute to its shareholders each taxable year at least
90% of its investment company taxable income (generally consisting of net
investment income, net short-term capital gains and net gains from certain
foreign currency transactions) ("Distribution Requirement"), (2) must derive
at least 90% of its annual gross income from specified sources ("Income
Requirement") and (3) must meet certain asset diversification and other
requirements.
Any dividend or other distribution paid shortly after an investor's
purchase may have the effect of reducing the net asset value of the shares
below the cost of his investment. Such a dividend or other distribution
would be a return on investment in an economic sense, although taxable as
stated in the Fund's Prospectus. In addition, if a shareholder holds shares
of the Fund for six months or less and has received a capital gain
distribution with respect to those shares, any loss incurred on the sale of
those shares will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of
the capital gain distribution received.
Dividends and other distributions declared by the Fund in October,
November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a
date in any of those months are deemed to have been paid by the Fund and
received by the shareholders on December 31 of that year if the
distributions are paid by the Fund during the following January.
Accordingly, those distributions will be taxed to shareholders for the year
in which that December 31 falls.
A portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, whether received in cash
or reinvested in additional Fund shares, may be eligible for the dividends-
received deduction allowed to corporations. The eligible portion may not
exceed the aggregate dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations.
However, dividends received by a corporate shareholder and deducted by it
pursuant to the dividends-received deduction are subject indirectly to the
alternative minimum tax.
Foreign Taxes. Dividends and interest received by the Fund, and gains
realized thereby, may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes
imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions ("foreign taxes") that
would reduce the yield and/or its return on its securities. Tax conventions
between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate
these foreign taxes, however, and many foreign countries do not impose taxes
on capital gains in respect of investments by foreign investors.
State and Local Taxes. Depending upon the extent of the Fund's
activities in states and localities in which it is deemed to be conducting
business, the Fund may be subject to the tax laws thereof. Shareholders are
advised to consult their tax advisers concerning the application of state
and local taxes.
Foreign Shareholders - U.S. Federal Income Taxation. U.S. federal
income taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a
non-resident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate, a foreign
corporation or a foreign partnership (a "foreign shareholder"), depends on
whether the income from the Fund is "effectively connected" with a U.S.
trade or business carried on by the shareholder, as discussed generally
below. Special U.S. federal income tax rules that differ from those
described below may apply to certain foreign persons who invest in the Fund,
such as a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an
applicable tax treaty. Foreign shareholders are advised to consult their
own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of
an investment in the Fund.
Foreign Shareholders - Income Not Effectively Connected. Dividends
distributed to a foreign shareholder whose ownership of Fund shares is not
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the
foreign shareholder generally will be subject to a U.S. federal withholding
tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate). Capital gains realized by foreign
shareholders on the sale of Fund shares and distributions to them of net
capital gain, (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term
capital loss), generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax
unless the foreign shareholder is a non-resident alien individual and is
physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the
taxable year. In the case of certain foreign shareholders, the Fund may be
required to withhold U.S. Federal income tax at a rate of 31% of capital
gain distributions and of the gross proceeds from a redemption of Fund
shares unless the shareholder furnishes the Fund with a certificate
regarding the shareholder's foreign status.
Foreign Shareholders - Effectively Connected Income. If a foreign
shareholder's ownership of Fund shares is effectively connected with a U.S.
trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then all
distributions to that shareholder and any gains realized by that shareholder
on the disposition of the Fund shares will be subject to U.S. federal income
tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens and domestic
corporations, as the case may be. Foreign shareholders also may be subject
to the branch profits tax.
Foreign Shareholders - Estate Tax. Foreign individuals generally are
subject to U.S. federal estate tax on their U.S. situs property, such as
shares of the Fund, that they own at the time of their death. Certain
credits against that tax and relief under applicable tax treaties may be
available.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All portfolio transactions of the Fund are placed on behalf of the Fund
by Dreyfus. Debt securities purchased and sold by the Fund are generally
traded on a net basis (i.e., without commission) through dealers acting for
their own account and not as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions
directly with the issuer of the instrument. This means that a dealer (the
securities firm or bank dealing with the Fund) makes a market for securities
by offering to buy at one price and sell at a slightly higher price. The
difference between the prices is known as a spread. Other portfolio
transactions may be executed through brokers acting as agent. The Fund will
pay a spread or commissions in connection with such transactions. Dreyfus
uses its best efforts to obtain execution of portfolio transactions at
prices which are advantageous to the Fund and at spreads and commission
rates, if any, which are reasonable in relation to the benefits received.
Dreyfus also places transactions for other accounts that it provides with
investment advice.
Brokers and dealers involved in the execution of portfolio transactions
on behalf of the Fund are selected on the basis of their professional
capability and the value and quality of their services. In selecting brokers
or dealers, Dreyfus will consider various relevant factors, including, but
not limited to, the size and type of the transaction; the nature and
character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold; the
execution efficiency, settlement capability, and financial condition of the
broker-dealer; the broker-dealer's execution services rendered on a
continuing basis; and the reasonableness of any spreads (or commissions, if
any). Any spread, commission, fee or other remuneration paid to an
affiliated broker-dealer is paid pursuant to the Company's procedures
adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act.
Brokers or dealers may be selected who provide brokerage and/or
research services to the Fund and/or other accounts over which Dreyfus or
its affiliates exercise investment discretion. Such services may include
advice concerning the value of securities; the advisability of investing in,
purchasing or selling securities; the availability of securities or the
purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing analyses and reports
concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends,
portfolio strategy and performance of accounts; and effecting securities
transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance
and settlement).
The receipt of research services from broker-dealers may be useful to
Dreyfus in rendering investment management services to the Fund and/or its
other clients; and, conversely, such information provided by brokers or
dealers who have executed transaction orders on behalf of other clients of
Dreyfus may be useful to these organizations in carrying out their
obligations to the Fund. The receipt of such research services does not
reduce these organizations' normal independent research activities; however,
it enables these organizations to avoid the additional expenses which might
otherwise be incurred if these organizations were to attempt to develop
comparable information through their own staffs.
Although Dreyfus manages other accounts in addition to the Fund,
investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from decisions made
for these other accounts. It sometimes happens that the same security is
held by more than one of the accounts managed by Dreyfus. Simultaneous
transactions may occur when several accounts are managed by the same
investment manager, particularly when the same investment instrument is
suitable for the investment objective of more than one account.
When more than one account is simultaneously engaged in the purchase or
sale of the same investment instrument, the prices and amounts are allocated
in accordance with a formula considered by Dreyfus to be equitable to each
account. In some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the
price or volume of the investment instrument as far as the Fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the Fund to participate
in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Fund. While
the Directors will continue to review simultaneous transactions, it is their
present opinion that the desirability of retaining Dreyfus as investment
manager to the Fund outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist
from exposure to simultaneous transactions.
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, the Fund did not pay any
brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions. During the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1996, the Fund paid no brokerage commissions on portfolio
transactions. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995, the Fund paid
brokerage commissions of $148 on portfolio transactions.
Portfolio Turnover. The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund is
calculated by dividing the lesser of the Fund's annual sales or purchases of
portfolio securities (exclusive of purchases and sales of securities whose
maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less) by the monthly
average value of securities in the Fund during the year. The portfolio
turnover rates for the Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996 and
October 31, 1997 were 42.65% and 48.86%, respectively.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Performance
Information."
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 other distributions), dividing by the amount of the initial
investment, taking the "n"th root of the quotient (where "n" is the number
of years in the period) and subtracting 1 from the result.
The Fund's total return for Investor shares for the period April 28,
1994 to October 31, 1997 was 29.38%. The Fund's total return for BASIC
shares for the period November 30, 1993 to October 31, 1997 was 26.23%.
Total return is calculated by subtracting the amount of the Fund's net asset
value per share at the beginning of a stated period from the net asset value
per share at the end of the period (after giving effect to the reinvestment
of dividends and other distributions during the period), and dividing the
result by the net asset value per share at the beginning of the period.
Average annual total return (expressed as a percentage) for the
Investor shares of the Fund for each of the periods noted was:
Average Annual Total Return for the
Periods Ended October 31, 1997
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Inception
Investor Shares 8.29% -- -- 7.62%
(4/28/94)
Inception date appears in parentheses following the average annual total
return since inception.
Average annual total return (expressed as a percentage) for the BASIC
shares of the Fund for each of the periods noted was:
Average Annual Total Return for the
Periods Ended October 31, 1997
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Inception
BASIC Shares 8.46% -- -- 6.12%
(11/30/93)
Inception date appears in parentheses following the average annual total
return since inception.
The Fund may also advertise yield from time to time. Yields are
computed by using standardized methods of calculation required by the SEC.
Yields are calculated by dividing the net investment income per share earned
during a 30-day (or one month) period by the maximum offering price per
share on the last day of the period, according to the following formula:
YIELD = 2 [(a-b +1)6 -1]
cd
Where: a = dividends and interest earned during the period;
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of
reimbursements);
c = average daily number of shares outstanding during the
period that were entitled to receive dividends; and
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of
the period.
The 30-day yield for each class of the Fund for the period ended
October 31, 1997 was:
Investor Shares 5.83%
BASIC Shares 6.09%
Performance information for the Fund may be compared, in reports and
promotional literature, to indexes including, but not limited to: (i) the
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index and the Lehman Brothers Government
Corporate Bond Index; (ii) the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, or other appropriate unmanaged
domestic or foreign indices of performance of various types of investments
so that investors may compare the Fund's results with those of indices
widely regarded by investors as representative of the securities markets in
general; (iii) other groups of mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical
Services, a widely used independent research firm which ranks mutual funds
by overall performance, investment objectives and assets, or tracked by
other services, companies, publications, or persons who rank mutual funds on
overall performance or other criteria; (iv) the Consumer Price Index (a
measure of inflation) to assess the real rate of return from an investment
in the Fund; and (v) products managed by a universe of money managers with
similar country allocation and performance objectives. Unmanaged indices
may assume the reinvestment of dividends but generally do not reflect
deductions or administrative and management costs and expenses.
From time to time, Fund advertisements may include 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.
From time to time, advertising material for the Fund may include
biographical information relating to its portfolio manager and may refer to,
or include commentary by the 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.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with
the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "General Information."
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.
The Fund is one of eighteen portfolios of the Company. Fund shares have no
preemptive or subscription rights and are freely transferable.
The Fund will send annual and semi-annual financial statements to all
of its shareholders.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, CUSTODIAN, COUNSEL
AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, 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, Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. arranges for the maintenance of shareholder
account records for the Fund, the handling of certain communications between
shareholders and the Fund and the payment of dividends and distributions
payable by the Fund. For these services, Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. receives a
monthly fee computed on the basis of the number of shareholder accounts it
maintains for the Company during the month, and is reimbursed for certain
out-of-pocket expenses.
Mellon Bank, the parent of Dreyfus, located at One Mellon Bank Center,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258, acts as custodian of the Fund's investments.
Under a custody agreement with the Company, Mellon Bank holds the Fund's
portfolio securities and keeps all necessary accounts and records. Dreyfus
Transfer, Inc. and Mellon Bank, as custodian, have no part in determining
the investment policies of the Fund or which securities are to be purchased
or sold by the Fund.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Second
Floor, Washington, D.C. 20036-1800, has passed upon the legality of the
shares offered by the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP was appointed by the Directors to serve as the
Fund's independent auditors for the year ending October 31, 1998, providing
audit services including (1) examination of the annual financial statements,
(2) assistance, review and consultation in connection with SEC filings and
(3) review of the annual federal income tax return filed on behalf of the
Fund.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997,
including notes to the financial statements and financial highlights and the
Independent Auditors' Report, are included in the Annual Report to
shareholders. A copy of the Annual Report accompanies this Statement of
Additional Information. The financial statements included in the Annual
Report, and the Independent Auditors' Report thereon contained therein, and
related notes, are incorporated herein by reference.
APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
Bond, Note and Commercial Paper Ratings
Standard & Poor's ("S&P")
Bond Ratings
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 issues only in
small degree. The obligors 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.
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 `B' 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 The `C' rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy
petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments
on this obligation are being continued.
D An obligation rated `D' is in payment default. The `D' rating category
is used when payments on a 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.
The ratings from `AA' to `CCC' may be modified by the addition of a
plus (+) or a minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories
Note Ratings
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to
possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+)
designation.
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some
vulnerability to adverse finance and economic changes over the term of
the notes.
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Commercial Paper Ratings
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more
than 365 days.
A-1 This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong
safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2 Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as
for issuers designated `A-1.'
A-3 Issues carrying this designation have an adequate capacity for timely
payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher
designations.
B Issues rated `B' are regarded as having only speculative capacity for
timely payment.
C This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful
capacity for payment.
D Debt rated `D' is in payment default. The `D' rating category is used
when interest payments of principal payments are not made on the date
due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P
believes such payments will be made during such grace period.
Moody's
Bond Ratings
Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and generally are referred
to as "gilt edge." 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 which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what generally
are 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 risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A Bonds which are 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 which are 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 which are 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 which are 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 which are 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 which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in
a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
short-comings.
C Bonds which are 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.
Moody's applies the numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to show relative
standing within each generic rating classification from Aa through B.
The modifier 1 indicates a ranking for the security in the higher end
of a rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and
the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of a rating
category.
Notes and other Short-Term Obligations
There are four rating categories for short-term obligations that define
an investment grade situation. These are designated Moody's Investment
Grade as MIG 1 (best quality) through MIG 4 (adequate quality). Short-term
obligations of speculative quality are designated SG.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two
component rating is assigned. The first element represents an evaluation of
the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest
payments, and the other represents an evaluation of the degree of risk
associated with the demand feature. The short-term rating assigned to the
demand feature of VRDOs is designated as VMIG. When either the long- or
short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g.,
Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.
MIG 1/
VMIG 1 This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong
protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support
or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG-2/
MIG 2 This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection
are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3/
VMIG 3 This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements
are accounted for but there is lacking the undeniable strength of
the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be
narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well
established.
MIG 4/
VMIG 4 This designation denotes adequate quality. Protection commonly
regarded as required of an investment security is present and
although not distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is
specific risk.
Commercial Paper Rating
Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be
investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated
issuers:
Prime-1 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.
Prime-2 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 agree. 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.
Prime-3 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 alternative liquidity is maintained.
Fitch Investor Services, Inc. ("Fitch")
Bond Ratings
AAA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay
interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by
reasonably foreseeable events.
AA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated `AAA'.
Because bonds rated in the `AAA' and `AA' categories are not
significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term
debt of these issuers is generally rated `F-1+'.
A Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality,
The obligor's ability to pay interest an repay principal is considered
to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic
conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB Bonds considered to be investment grade and satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these
bonds and, therefore, impair timely payment. The likelihood that the
ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than
for bonds with higher ratings
BB Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay
interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse
economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be
identified, which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt
service requirements.
B Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of
continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the
obligor's limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business
and economic activity throughout the life of the issue.
CCC Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics that, if not remedied,
may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an
advantageous business and economic environment.
CC Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD and D
Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of
their ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the
obligor. `DDD' represents the highest potential for recovery on these
bonds, and `D' represents the lowest potential for recovery.
+/- Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the
relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the `DDD', `DD', or `D'
categories.
Short-Term and Commercial Paper Ratings
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable
on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including
commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal
and investment notes.
Although the credit analysis is similar to Fitch's bond rating
analysis, the short-term rating places greater emphasis than bond ratings on
the existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a
timely manner.
F-1+ Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are
regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely
payment.
F-1 Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an
assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues
rated `F-1+'.
F-2 Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory
degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not
as great as for issues assigned `F-1+' and `F-1' ratings.
F-3 Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate;
however, near-term adverse changes could cause these securities to be
rated below investment grade.
D Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment
default.
Duff & Phelps Inc. ("Duff & Phelps")
Long-Term Ratings
AAA Highest credit quality. The risks factors are negligible, being only
slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
AA+ High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest but
AA may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions.
AA-
A+ Protections factors are average but adequate. However, risk factors are
A more variable and greater in periods of economic stress.
A-
BBB+ Below-average protection factors but still considered sufficient for
BBB prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during economic
BBB- cycles.
BB+ Below investments grade but deemed likely to meet obligations when due.
BB Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate according to
BB- industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall quality may move up
or down frequently within this category.
B+ Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will not be met
B when due. Financial protection factors will fluctuate widely according to
B- economic cycles, industry conditions and/or company fortunes. Potential
exists for frequent changes in the rating within this category or into a
higher or lower rating grade.
CCC Well below investment-grade securities. Considerable uncertainty
exists as to timely payment of principal, interest or preferred
dividends. Protection factors are narrow and risk can be substantial
with unfavorable economic/industry conditions, and/or with unfavorable
company developments.
DD Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal
and/or interest payments.
Short-Term and Commercial Paper Ratings
D-1+ Highest certainty of timely payment. Short-term liquidity, including
internal operating factors and/or access to alternative sources of
funds, is outstanding, and safety is just below risk-free U.S. Treasury
short-term obligations.
D-1 Very high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are excellent
and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are
minor.
D-1- High certainly of timely payment. Liquidity factors are strong and
supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are
very small.
D-2 Good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors and company
fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding needs may enlarge
total financial requirements, access to capital markets is good. Risk
factors are small.
D-3 Satisfactory liquidity and other protection factors qualify issues as
to investment grade. Risk factors are larger and subject to more
variation. Nevertheless, timely payment is expected.
D-4 Speculative investment characteristics. Liquidity is not sufficient to
insure against disruption in debt service. Operating factors and
market access may be subject to a high degree of variation.
D-5 Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal and/or interest payments.
IBCA Limited/IBCA Inc. ("IBCA")
Commercial Paper Ratings.
Short-term obligations, including commercial paper, rated A1+ by IBCA
are obligations supported by the highest capacity for timely repayment.
Obligations rated A1 have a very strong capacity for timely repayment.
Obligations rated A2 have a strong capacity for repayment, although such
capacity may be susceptible to adverse changes in business, economic or
financial conditions. Obligations rated B1 have adequate capacity for
timely repayment, but such capacity is more susceptible to adverse changes
in business, economic, or financial conditions than for obligations in
higher categories. Obligations rated B2 have a capacity for repayment that
is susceptible to adverse changes in business, economic, or financial
conditions. Obligations rated C1 have an inadequate capacity to ensure
timely repayment. Obligations rated D1 have a high risk of default or are
currently in default.
